Photos: Left, by Doug Kohen; top right, provided; lower right, by Ohlen Alexander; graphic by Amanda Griggs

It must have been magic, like the snow that fell earlier this month; in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Santa Claus seemed to be everywhere you looked. Sitting under the tree at the Moraga Commons (left photo), he met one young man who did not appear to be completely convinced that climbing onto the big red lap was such a good idea. On a rainy day at Lafayette's La Fiesta Square, Santa and his helpers were warm and dry on the enclosed patio that is part of Mangia, offering a complimentary photo with Santa and candy canes for the kids. The Connor family (top right photo, from left: Kate, Caroline, Kristi and Kevin) paid a visit, and got the perfect photo for their Christmas cards. And what better place for Santa to be but at the screening of White Christmas at the Orinda Theater? Cameron Armian of Lafayette was pleased to be able to whisper his wish list directly to the man in charge (lower right photo).