The shopping malls are beginning to get ready for he holiday season, which means Santa’s photo booths are being constructed and wreaths, giant inflatable Reindeer and over-sized and over-decorated trees are sprouting up all over the place. It may seem too soon for you, but honestly this might be the best time to enjoy the sights of Christmastime – before the crowds thicken, before the parking becomes scarce and before the repetitious music is piped in!
Just today, my gang headed to the mall to place a quick order in Eddie Bauer (no shipping costs when you place an order from a store!). We entered to discover 20 foot wreaths adorned with teddy bears, drums, angels and much more. They were strung from the ceiling and hung down like majestic evergreen stars – it was quite a sight and timed perfectly with the (finally) cool, seasonable weather. It truly is beginning to look like Christmas!
Needless to say, my girl was ecstatic at the sight of such merry pageantry. She starred up in wonder and then began to run and search out more signs that Christmas is indeed right around the corner. It didn’t take long before she arrived in front of the giant tree and Santa’s eventual home away from home. In about three weeks time, thousands of children will line up (or be lined up against their little wills) in that very spot to get a photo with the big man himself in front of too tall gift boxes, a miniature train and dozens of stuffed animals. But on this day, in early November, my girl was able to dance around the set, look up in awe at the tree and essentially have Santa’s kingdom to herself.
If you love the pre-holiday build up and excitement now is the time to soak it up, for free and virtually alone, in a mall near you.