All they want for Christmas is . . . lots!

No matter the age, excitement and anticipation are building.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Santa Claus may have to take out a loan this year to put smiles on the faces of many area residents.
Instead of the traditional Barbie Doll and Tinker Toys that made Santa's eyes twinkle in years past, today's youths -- and even some adults -- are wishing for pricey items that may break Santa's bank.
Shoppers were scurrying about, during a recent visit to the Eastwood Mall in Niles, as if they had just begun their holiday shopping. Sounds of Bing Crosby and Perry Como filled the noisy mall with cheer, and as Santa's line grew longer, people of all ages couldn't help but get excited for Christmas.
Youngstown sisters Desirae and Samantha McCracken are excited about the holiday, and especially about what they jolly old man will leave under their tree.
Samantha, 14, said she wasn't sure exactly what she wanted, but she could use some new clothes, shoes and anything that's shiny for the new year.
"I want jewelry," Samantha said. "How about a ring?"
Desirae, 15, knew exactly what she wanted. Toward the top of her list was a new Dooney and Bourke purse, a tanning package, clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, wallet and a cell phone. She wasn't worried that Santa Claus wouldn't bring her the correct items -- because she was prepared to pick them up herself.
Do-it-yourself method
"Actually, Santa Claus gave us money to go shopping," Desirae said. "Right now, we're buying presents for ourselves and maybe for our parents."
Hailey Essad, 12, also from Youngstown and friend of the sisters, said she wanted a bracelet and a watch from Tiffany & amp; Co. Since she knows Santa has a lot of people on his list, she said she'd settle for other, less-expensive but very specific items.
"I want Baby PhatGolden Goddess perfume and a pair of Chuck Taylor's by Converse," Hailey said.
Brandon O'Bryan, 19, of Windham, said he's an easy man to please. All he wants is "The Family Guy" Season 4 DVD, an xBox 360 and the video game "Oblivion" for the box. He said if anyone wanted to pick up a last-minute Christmas gift for him, they couldn't go wrong with anything dealing with Ohio State.
"That's my No. 1 team," O'Bryan said. "I've been a Buckeye fan since I was in diapers."
O'Bryan's not the only one with scarlet and gray on his mind.
Cory Waggoner, 20, of Alliance, said with a grin that he enjoys all sports and quietly mentioned that he could use a new Notre Dame football jersey. He said he feels guilty about asking for it, but his family members are Notre Dame fans. He wants to assure everyone that he still supports Ohio State and other Ohio sports teams.
"If anyone wants to get on my good side, I could always use a pair of Cavs tickets," Waggoner said. "Courtside."
Big list
Matthew Fuscillo, 13, of Youngstown, is anxious to wake up Christmas morning. Before Matthew's mother could ask him what he wanted for Christmas, Matthew screamed that he wanted a dirt bike. He then calmly asked for an iPod Video, a Sony PlayStation 3 and made a rather unusual request.
"I'd love to get my own country," Matthew said. "That'd be sweet. But if I can't have that, I guess I'll settle for a Nintendo Wii."
There is an age, though, when Christmas can make a girl smile no matter what's under the tree.
Charlotte Lightner, 3, from Warren, said she wanted Santa Claus to bring her a balloon and a playground, but her mother, Sara, said just the day before Charlotte had wanted a teddy bear and ice cream.
Lightner said her daughter has been excited about Christmas but is confused as to what to ask Santa for. On most days, Charlotte asks for the backpack that popular children's cartoon star Dora wears.
"She's been asking for that backpack for three months," Lightner said. "She really, really wants that."
That mind-set doesn't last forever, and could get worse for many adults.
Early Christmas
Gary Yuhasz, 58, of Boardman, said he was really going to miss waking up Christmas morning to unwrap his presents -- because he opened his big one in September.
"We bought a boat," Yuhasz said. "That was our Christmas present to ourselves."
Yuhasz and his wife, Nancy, said they had been wanting a new boat for quite some time, and they just couldn't wait any longer. Though they have already been out on the lake with the new boat, it has yet to be named. Yuhasz said they are leaning toward "Th'other one."
Yuhasz said they were still exchanging small presents with each other and with family members, so the day wouldn't be a total bust. Besides, he said, it's the thought that counts.
spoulton@vindy.com