Santa Claus is Coming to Town?! Already?!

Tonight, Philip and I went out to one of our outdoor malls to shop. Then meet some friends for dinner and a movie. I was thinkin, "this parking lot is really full for 5pm on Saturday night. But I was there to use my Gap friends and family discount and thought maybe other stores were having promos like that to get people shopping.
While I was paying in Old Navy, the manager who just happens to be one of Whitneys friends said, "are you staying for the lighting celebration?" Apparently tonight was the night they were turning on the Christmas lights for the shopping center and having fireworks to boot. Okay.
As we left the store we got this call from our friends saying they couldnt find a spot to park cause of all the "event parking and blocked off areas" And I'm thinkin, all that for kicking off the Christmas shopping season? Dumb me! Those two things go hand in hand with 1. Lighting the Christmas tree (which by the way the top third didnt light up, bummer for the coordinator.) and 2. Santa Claus was comin to town tonight! Duh!!!
All four of us were astonished that Santa came soooo soon. I mean, what happened to all the hoopla on Thanksgiving weekend? The grand buildup to the following weeks of excitement til Christmas. Even Rockefeller center doesnt light up their tree til then!
Is it just me or does anyone else find that when you have something too much or too long it loses some of its uniqueness, its magic? I love the holidays but we havent even had Thanksgiving. ( I give exception to Karly and Josh cause they are done with Thanksgiving and Halloween in October.)
One way or another, we saw the mall get lit up, enjoyed some fun fireworks, enjoyed a lil hustle and bustle and traffic jams of both cars and people all out in the cold night air to kick off one of the funnest times of year! Oh yeah and we saw the crowd huddle around and enjoy a lil visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause.
We tried a new restaurant, Tequila Beach (won't go again) and James Bond only had scattered seats in the front row soooo, no movie tonight. So thank goodness for Santa Clause comin to the Summit Mall or our night would have been a near bust!