Sitting on Santa's lap is one tradition that has stuck.

RSM might have a population of more than 47,000 (according to the 2000 US Census) now, but back in the day, did you know that when RSM first opened, the residents who had just moved into the area gathered along the shores of Lago Santa Margarita and watched as Santa Claus came to shore on a large sleigh like boat?

As lore would have it, he apparently went to the club house at the beach club, and then met with children of the community to listen to their wish lists. This tradition continued for more than a decade according to those at rancho Mission Viejo Co.

These days such holiday events include the Holiday Lighting and Decoration Competition, to name a few. Check out www.samlarc.org for this year’s winners in the various categories.