Monday night, the Swift Current Mall stayed open a little bit longer than usual, as SaskFeat held their 5th Annual Sensory Santa.

Arden Fiala, the SaskFeat president, said that every year is getting better.

"There are too many highlights to mention," she said. "It's just a magical and incredible evening and shows the true spirit of Christmas. It's wonderful to see not only the children, but Santa enjoys these, and I look at the parents and grandparents, and it's just phenomenal to see, and I think someone has to experience that kind of evening to get the whole effect of the impact the Sensory Santa visits."

Sensory Santa is used for kids who have autism and sensory processing disorders. The lights are dimmed, and there is no music, and no lineups as appointments are booked in advance.

This allows children the chance to experience the tradition of meeting with Santa, while not being overwhelmed all the noise, smells, and sounds. 

Fiala said the reason they host this event is to make sure all children have a chance to sit with Santa.

"It's a time-honoured tradition that most of us take for granted that every child should just be able to go to the mall and have a visit with Santa," she said. "There are children out there that would prefer a lower key and laid back visit with Santa, and for these visits with Santa last night the children take the lead, and Santa follows them, so that's the incredible part."

Fiala said that this year attendance was down a little bit, but added that as long as one child visits with Santa they will keep on doing the event.

Fiala added that they would do the Sensory Santa as long they can.