Children See Santa at Holiday Tea

Disneyland it wasn’t.

But for the 400 adults and children attending South County Cancer League’s holiday tea Wednesday, Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar was Fantasyland.

Every tree was decorated with miniature lights and candles lined every path meandering through the nursery for “Noel Des Enfants.”

Kitty Knauer and Jean Baksic, co-chairmen of the event which benefited the American Cancer Society, said that it was simply a Christmas party for children.

Girls and boys wore their best party clothes; many of them were in velvet. Giant bows adorned the girls’ heads. They walked a path leading to a gazebo, where Santa Claus, sitting in an antique sleigh surrounded by a mass of red and white poinsettias, listened to their Christmas wishes.

The long line, which took about an hour for complimentary photographs with Santa, didn’t discourage the mothers, many holding infants.

To avoid getting too bored in the line, children colored blank paper ornaments at a nearby table. The ornaments were put on a tree that would be sent to the oncology ward at Childrens Hospital of Orange County. From time to time, bouncy children would blow out the candles and jump up and down the log steps to burn off some of their energy.

About $4,000 was netted during the two-hour event.

Tea sandwiches, shortbread cookies and fruit tarts, placed on silver serving pieces, were served with tea.

Cheryl Young, tending one of the tables, was impressed with the good manners of the children. “It’s amazing how well behaved they are when they are served.”

Tick-Tockers from South Laguna National Charity League and volunteers from St. Margaret’s School in San Juan Capistrano earned credits in their organizations by keeping the little ones in tow.

Knauer and Baksic were pleased with the large turnout, almost double from what they had expected. “We’re pleased, the Roger’s Garden’s people are pleased and there’s no doubt that we will do this again next year.”

It did cross their minds to have additional Santas for shorter lines, but nixed the idea for psychological reasons.

“We forget how much they believe at this age,” Knauer said. Santa did repeat some of the wishes whispered in his ear. “They asked for computers, GI Joe, Cricket (a talking doll), battleships, Teddy Ruxpin (a talking bear) and everything that goes with him. All the good stuff.”