Santa says wish lists have evolved

Albuquerque - T he line stretches through Cottonwood Mall with kids eager to meet Santa Claus and anxious to get their requests in before he takes flight Christmas Eve.

This particular Santa has stopped his sleigh at Cottonwood Mall for five years now. He says the wish lists have evolved.

"iPods, iPads, they're wanting the iPhones," Claus said. "They're wanting, what else are they wanting? They're wanting the new iPhone 5."

From his leather boots to his snowy beard and fur-trimmed cap, this Santa is the real deal. He even graduated from The Noerr Program's Santa University.

James Isenhauer has only brought his daughter to see this Kris Kringle.

"She knows he's Santa," Isenhauer said. Tthe beard, the hair, everything. He's just a good-looking Santa."

The hours can be long, and at times being Santa is like living in the carol of the crying babies, rather than the Carol of the Bells.

"Two year olds, anywhere from a year-and-a-half up, you're going to have a kid who's crying," Claus said. "It's a passage through life."

But it's a gig this Santa wouldn't trade.

"Peace on earth and good will to all men."