WITH preparations for Wednesday night at his North Pole base running smoothly, Santa Claus took one last opportunity to take gift requests in Warrnambool yesterday.  The man in the red suit made his final appearance at the Warrnambool Christmas Shop in the Centro shopping centre to meet with children, take their requests and have a quick photo taken.  Santa has been visiting various stores in Warrnambool for around 12 years and said the old-time favourite Lego was the top of wish lists this year.  “Boys have been requesting Star Wars Lego and girls are asking for Rapunzel Castle Lego this year,” he said.  “The perennial favourites like Barbie and Hot Wheels cars, bikes and scooters are also popular.”  Santa said one of the big changes he had noticed was children asking for electronic gadgets like iPads and iPods.  “It seems the children asking for motorbikes are getting younger as well,” he said.  Ten-year-old Kaitlyn Barnett took the opportunity to request Santa leave an iPad she can use for school under her tree on Thursday morning.  Kaitlyn said her favourite thing about Christmas was putting presents under the wishing tree.  “We do it every year. It’s nice to help people who might not be getting presents and make them happy,” she said.