Inuvik (Dec 19/03) - Not only are there big shoes to fill, but a big suit as well for anyone daring enough to play the role of Santa Claus for the afternoon.

In Northmart employee Jason Ferguson's case, both were no problem.

"I'm padded enough," he said patting his belly with a laugh.

Last Saturday afternoon, Ferguson donned the red suit, hat and white beard and listened in on what Inuvik's children wanted for Christmas.

"Strawberry Shortcake is making a comeback this year," said Ferguson. "And there were a few requests for ponies."

Barbie dolls and walkie-talkies were other popular items on kids' wish lists, Ferguson said.

Ferguson estimates he entertained about a hundred kids and after patting his dry knees after a day as jolly old St. Nick, he summed up his experience as a success.

Surprisingly, there was not a single request for video games says Ferguson; something he figured would be at the top of many children's lists.

"Though there was one interesting request for a big pink suitcase," he recalled. "But I'm not quite sure why."

With the help of elves Tina Salsman and Thea Rogers, who handed out candy to the youngsters, it was all in a day's work for Santa's newest recruit.

"He was very good," said Northmart's Sharon Townsend. "The kids loved him."

And so did some of the adults, like Amanda Yuill who just couldn't resist sitting on Santa's knee for old-time's sake.

"You're never too old for Santa," she said with a wink.