They don't exactly make toys or bake cookies, though they know of some traditional recipes shared by Chamber members and compiled in a book called "All I Want For Christmas ... " available at the Chamber office. Instead, Davis and Scott, along with a group of volunteers, will be working long hours this holiday season, doing their part in keeping the holiday spirit alive. Unlike most of the elves in Santa's workshop, all these elves need are a handful of sharpened pencils and sheets of stationery. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 19, these elves will help Santa Claus by responding to letters written by children asking for the latest gadgets and the most recent Barbie editions.

"We take our job very seriously," said Davis, who has been reading and writing letters for the past five years. She said she's seen some creative letters, from ones covered in glitter and elaborate drawings to computer-generated greeting cards. Davis said she even recalled one in which a child pasted magazine pictures of items she wanted, which included stylish jeans and a portable CD player.

"The kids put a lot of thought into these cards," Davis said. "So we try to make each response unique. It's a lot of work and takes quite some time."

On average, the Chamber receives approximately 300 letters each year, mostly from Saratoga residents, but they have gotten letters from children visiting from neighboring cities, the East Coast and even Japan.

"It doesn't matter where they're from or who they are. We respond to each and every letter," Davis said.

According to Davis and Scott, some of the more frequently requested items have been candy bars, makeup, dolls, scooters, basketballs, baseball mitts and computer electronics. Davis said she expects Disney movies to be a hot item this year.

Other kids write to Santa not for gifts, but for answers. Some ask questions like how Santa is doing, how reindeers fly, if Santa has any dogs and what Mrs. Claus's name is. Some letters can be as simple and heartwarming as wishing good luck and health for loved ones.

"Our goal is to make Christmas as special as possible for the kids," Scott said. "These letters not only make the kids feel good, it makes us feel good as well. It gets people in the holiday spirit."

Special boxes will be placed for Santa letters at four locations: the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce office and the UPS Store on Big Basin Way, the Village Post Office on Saratoga Avenue and the Saratoga Main Post Office on Allendale Avenue. All letters must be received by Dec. 19. To ensure a response from Santa, letters must have a return address.