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From The Library Of 'Life'

Christmas Cute: Kids Calling Santa, 1947

by Claire O'Neill

LIFE

When I was little, creating a wish list was one of my favorite holiday activities. And if I could have called Santa directly, I might have died of delight.

I can only imagine how these kids — now probably in their 70s — must have felt when they discovered Santa's direct line in 1947. That year, the New York City mega toy store F.A.O. Schwartz set up a line directly to their store Santa.

  • Patricia Guinan promises Santa she will leave out milk and crackers for him on Christmas Eve.
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    Patricia Guinan promises Santa she will leave out milk and crackers for him on Christmas Eve.
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  • After "making sure he could not hear and be disillusioned," Bann whispers confidingly to the Life researcher that there is "no Santa Claus," while Bennie remains blissfully unaware.
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    After "making sure he could not hear and be disillusioned," Bann whispers confidingly to the Life researcher that there is "no Santa Claus," while Bennie remains blissfully unaware.
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  • A confident Jo Ann Ward begins her conversation by saying, "Hello, Santa Claus. How you feel?" The 3-year-old wants a doll and a boat.
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    A confident Jo Ann Ward begins her conversation by saying, "Hello, Santa Claus. How you feel?" The 3-year-old wants a doll and a boat.
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  • Elaine Jung, 6, wants a dollhouse and carriage; she also asks Santa to be sure not to forget her baby sister.
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    Elaine Jung, 6, wants a dollhouse and carriage; she also asks Santa to be sure not to forget her baby sister.
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  • This young boy is all smiles with a perfect set of gleaming white teeth as he speaks with Santa.
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    This young boy is all smiles with a perfect set of gleaming white teeth as he speaks with Santa.
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  • A firm believer in Santa, Christopher Lange, 7, requests a briefcase and a paint set for Christmas.
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    A firm believer in Santa, Christopher Lange, 7, requests a briefcase and a paint set for Christmas.
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A few of these photos ran in a December issue of Life, but many of them were never published. The full gallery is at life.com.

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