Jolly Santa is getting ready for his annual foray. Two naps a day. A beard trim. New batteries for the Walkman.

The elves are working feverishly, amusing themselves by telling Santa jokes and thinking up off-color nicknames for the reindeer.

Meanwhile, the reindeer are hitting the treadmill hard when they aren’t doing yoga or punching at the air while following along with a Billy Blanks video.

Here is a wish list for some of our local sports teams or figures:

For the New England Patriots: another Super Bowl title which would make them the first team in history to win three in a row. It won’t be easy due to the inexperience in the secondary and on the offensive line created by injuries. But the return of All-Pro linebacker Tedy Bruschi and defensive end Richard Seymour; the move of Mike Vrabel from outside to inside linebacker and the improving play of the secondary has produced a dramatic improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

A healthy Corey Dillon and David Givens has diversified and improved the offense and, remember, quarterback Tom Brady has never lost a playoff game. He is having his best regular season ever. The Colts are no longer invincible although the loss to San Diego may serve as extra motivation.

For the Boston Red Sox: An opening-day lineup that includes Manny Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, and Rocco Baldelli, now that Johnny Damon has left to play for the New York Yankees. Close your eyes and imagine this batting order: Baldelli, Mark Loretta, David Ortiz, Ramirez, Tejada, Mike Lowell, Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek and new first baseman Kevin Youkilis. OK, open your eyes. Return to reality. It isn’t going to happen. But they will have a formidable lineup if consultant Theo Epstein (yes, I know, wishful thinking again) has his way.

For the Boston Celtics: An identity. OK, we’ll settle for progress. They have evolved from an inconsistent veteran team to an inconsistent young team. They are in their third decade of rebuilding. Heck, the Big Dig has turned out to be a more successful project than the Celtics.

For the Boston Bruins: An identity. OK, we’ll settle for progress. Where have I heard this before?

For the University of Maine men’s hockey team: How about another run at an NCAA title? Remember, the Bears played in the 2002 and 2004 national championship games and were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tourney in 2003 and 2005. So if they follow the sequence, they will be back in the NCAA title game this year.

I wouldn’t bet a paycheck on it but it wouldn’t surprise me either. There really isn’t a dominant team this season and you can anticipate a lot of upsets in the NCAA Tournament.

If the young goaltenders (Ben Bishop and Matt Lundin) can supply them with a consistent second half, don’t be surprised if the Bears make a strong run.

The scandal that resulted in the suspension of six players is behind them and they won their last two games entering the break.

For all of our servicemen and servicewomen stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and any other trouble spot across the globe, a safe holiday and a speedy return home. They are our heroes. They are making the ultimate sacrifice by putting their lives on the line, as did their predecessors, so we can enjoy our holidays and our freedoms.

Happy holidays to all. May they be safe and joyous.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231 or 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.