Santa in the sandhills

Kim Kim Foster-Tobin/kkft@thesta

In a far-off land called The Village at Sandhill, at a place referred to as Town Center Commons, marked by three roads that merge by a large fountain, stands a quaint little cottage where Santa can be seen. The crowds remain steady as frantic shoppers slow down for a few minutes so their children can visit the white bearded man in the red suit. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and magic that, for many of these young visitors, will stay in the air long past that special morning after Santa's visited. Children crowd around the door outside the small house watching in anticipation, waiting until it's their turn to spill wishes on to Santa's lap. Three year-old, Hanna Kyzer of Winnsboro, left, and her 4-year-old cousin Erin Wilson of Blythwood, are startled and giggle loudly when Santa taps the glass door they have been spying through. "I like Christmas because I like to play with Santa Claus and get new presents and it's baby Jesus' birthday," says Erin.

• SLIDESHOW | Inside Santa's Cottage

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ABOUT THE SERIES | Carolina Life is a biweekly photo column showcasing S.C. people and places.

In a far-off land called The Village at Sandhill, at a place referred to as Town Center Commons, marked by three roads that merge by a large fountain, stands a quaint little cottage where Santa can be seen.

The crowds remain steady as frantic shoppers slow down for a few minutes so their children can visit the white-bearded man in the red suit.

The atmosphere is filled with excitement and magic that, for many of these young visitors, will stay in the air long past that special morning after Santa has visited. Children crowd around the door outside the small house, watching in anticipation, waiting until it’s their turn to spill wishes onto Santa’s lap.

Three-year-old Hanna Kyzer of Winnsboro, left, and her 4-year-old cousin Erin Wilson of Blythewood are startled and giggle loudly when Santa taps the glass door they have been spying through.

“I like Christmas because I like to play with Santa Claus and get new presents, and it’s baby Jesus’ birthday,” said Erin.

— Kim Kim Foster-Tobin

kkfoster@thestate.com

Santa’s Cottage is open noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 24.