I love Santa and the holidays, but..

[sunnyday123]

Count me in the annoyed crowd for the early Christmas push. The commercials here started on Halloween night.

We have a couple in our neighborhood that moved here from India a few years ago. They put up a strand of lights around their bay window, and light them for EVERY holiday. Easter, 4th of July, Halloween... We find it hysterical but do appreciate their attempt to celebrate our holidays!

 

[onelilspark]

If Santa only arrived in the malls AT Thanksgiving, how would shoppers know what to buy "Black Friday"?

There are just 8 shopping weekends before Christmas, not really that far off when you think about it.

We used to take the train into Philadelphia every year on Black Friday when I was a kid. We'd go to the old Strawbridges & Clothiers (think it was a Wannamakers before that.) Up on the top level was Santa. First stop was to talk to Santa, then we'd shop a bit and return for lunch. My Dad would take my brother & I back home on the train and my Mom & Nana would stay to shop. I have great memories of that (My Dad would always buy us fresh baked cookies for the train ride!)

Yes, the Simon malls Santas arrive the first weekend of November - each year. We count on this.

We have a son with autism (age 11) and he is STILL a believer! We always go "opening weekend" when we typically have Santa to ourselves. Our son is usually able to spend about 10 minutes (sometimes more!) with Santa each year, because no one else is around yet and this time is priceless - family, elves, onlookers are usually in tears of happiness each year watching him enjoy this precious time with Santa. He treasures this experience and eagerly anticipates it throughout the year - and I can't tell you how excited he is to visit the big guy in the next day or two. We've been very fortunate that Santa actually sometimes "remembers" (really!) visiting with him before and is able to ask him questions or for updates on his life that *truly* remind us what Christmas magic is all about.

So, yes, this can feel like "pushing the season" to many, but for families like us - we wouldn't have it any other way.

Great story, thanks for sharing

 

[disneyofcourse]

Holiday music started the day after Halloween in malls and stores around here. All Santa displays and decor have been up since then.