Santa meets all kinds

DURBAN, South Africa, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- The Santa Claus at a Durban, South Africa, mall has seen it all -- from women who want to sit on his lap to chewing gum stuck in his beard.

But Father Christmas continues to patiently advocate his main theme to kids -- that he won't give them guns although they keep asking for one, the Durban Daily News reported Wednesday.

"You never know, they might remember when they grow up that Santa doesn't like violence and guns," says Santa's wife.

With his real long beard and snowy hair, Santa certainly looks the part.

Santa has been visiting the Pavilion shopping mall for eight years.

"Last year, some shopping center visitors threw chewing gum and peach pips from the balcony and it got stuck in his beard," recalled his wife.

"Quite a lot of mothers also want to sit on Santa's lap," said Mrs. Claus, who said she doesn't mind as it is all "in the spirit of Christmas."

Santa gets about 200 letters and if there are addresses on them, he writes back to every child.

And what's Santa going to get on Saturday? "A big kiss," confided his wife.