Adorable gallery: Santa Claus visits babies in the NICU at Chattanooga hospital

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — With Christmas Eve just a few days away, you'd think that Kris Kringle would be very busy making his list and checking it twice.

But the jolly old elf was able to find some time to visit some precious little packages in Hamilton County this past week.

Parkridge Hospital says the big guy made a surprise visit to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Parkridge East Hospital in East Ridge.

We had to share the pics of these little bundles of joy with Saint Nick on their first Christmas, a release said.

Click on our gallery above to see all the adorable photos.

Here's hoping for many more Santa visits for all these little ones!

Has your family run into Santa Claus this Christmas season? If so, share it with us here.