One-year-old Moelani Carter faced some tough decisions Saturday morning at the Xavier University Convocation Center. There, Santa-hatted volunteers and Kris Kringle himself bustled between tables stacked with roughly 10,000 toys as holiday music and ample cheer filled the air.

"She might be getting a kitchen set. We got options," said Moesha Carter, 22, holding her daughter in her arms as they looked over the offerings.

Already selected were a toy bear and a learning laptop. Carter said she'd had to rise early to be at the 130th annual Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund giveaway at 7:30 a.m., but it was worth it for the gifts and the chance to catch up with old school friends, continuing a multigenerational family tradition.

"I've been coming my whole life," Carter said.

Launched by th

See Full Page