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Uploaded: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 8:04 AM                                            
Updated: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 6:24 AM

Santa Claus now at Stoneridge Mall as Christmas holiday shopping season begins
Hundreds join the jolly old man under a colorfully-decorated, 3-story-tall tree in center court

by Jeb Bing
Pleasanton Weekly Staff

Posted by Sue, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 9:40 am

It's not even Thanksgiving yet!!!!

Posted by bobbi, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 10:15 am

My thoughts excactly Sue... It's not even Thanksgiving YET! it's called GREEDY !

Posted by Resident, a resident of the Stoneridge neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 10:40 am

How sad that they can not wait until the appropriate time...after Thanksgiving! Why not have Santa at back to school shopping time? How ridiculous things have become!!!

Posted by FS, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 11:07 am

I totally agree. Poor Santa was sitting there almost falling asleep the other day when we walked by. It's TOO EARLY for him to be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's CRAZY!! Wait until AFTER Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Posted by Sammy, a resident of another community, on Nov 16, 2009 at 2:25 pm

All Pleasanton cares about is money! Spend your money here. Buy your kids whatever they want. I've got more than you. What a greedy spoiled town P-town has become. It used to be a nice place. Now, everybody has to have more than you. They even have to have the first Santa at the mall. God Lord, let's enjoy Thanksgiving first. Did Pleasanton forget how to be thankful?

Posted by Joe, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm

Loudon Wainwright III wrote a song about this:

"Suddenly It's Christmas" - 1993 Snowden Music Inc.

This ain't the whole thing, but you get the message. This has become a favorite at Christmas in our house.

"Suddenly it's Christmas,Right after Halloween,Forget about Thanksgiving; It's just a buffet in between...."

"Suddenly its Christmas, The longest holiday. The season is upon us; A pox, it won't go away. It's a season, it's a marathon, Retail eternity. It's not over till it's over, And you throw away the tree".

Posted by HJ, a resident of the Ironwood neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Frankly, I don't mind that it's all started. I'm just THANKFUL that they aren't saying it's a HOLIDAY tree - let's hear it for CHRISTMAS and everyone show some shopping discipline and remember what the season is truly about. Enjoy the lights, start the carols, and spend the time with the family. Maybe the hustle and bustle won't be so stressful if we embrass it sooner? Jsut because the Santas are out, can't we go to the mall and grab a coffee and walk around and remember what it was like to be a child? We've all lost our focus on shopping, shopping, shopping. Make a list and stick to it,and you'll be just fine. The real deals will be closer to Christmas anyway, so can't we be THANKFUL for CHRISTMAS? Seven weeks from today, it's a rainy January 4th and the kids are going back to school after break. Let's enjoy the next 7 weeks and quit complaining. Merry Christmas!

Posted by Dan, a resident of the Foothill Knolls neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 11:31 pm

Wow could you say the word "Christmas" more?

Posted by Tango, a resident of the Vineyard Avenue neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 11:55 pm

I was out shopping today (yes Christmas shopping) and they were playing Christmas music. I like to Christmas shop early, but I don't like Christmas shoved done my throat before Thanksgiving. There were Christmas decorations for sale way before Holloween. Soon we will be seeing the place at the fairgrounds selling pumpkins and Christmas trees ant the same time. One stop shopping Merry Christmas!

Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 12:21 am

All I can say is -- "Why do we wonder why the world is in such a sad state?"

Knowing Santa is at all ready at Stoneridge hardens my resolve to shop anywhere BUT Stoneridge this holiday season.

Posted by Jimbo, a resident of the The Knolls neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 7:56 am

Whoa Sammy, seems like there is not much about Pleasanton you like.

Does that mean you will be moving soon?

Posted by Grinch, a resident of the Apperson Ridge neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 8:55 am

With spelling and grammar this bad (another Gatetree, Tango and several others) maybe we should be buying grammar books or tutoring sessions for you.

With a year like this is it soooo bad that people want to start the Christmas season early? It gives you a reason to forget the horrible year we have had and get on with being happy and thankful.

Posted by Mom, a resident of the Mohr Park neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 9:03 am

While I agree that it does feel quite early to see Santa, I also enjoy every second of the Christmas season and take no issue with stretching it out a bit. Thinking ahead to Christmas doesn't do anything to lessen the impact of Thanksgiving for me. So no, it doesn't bother me.

Posted by Billie, a resident of the Mohr Park neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 9:05 am

Geez . . .get a grip folks. It's not like this is something new. The trappings of the Christmas and other holidays of the season have been showing up before Halloween for years now. This year, more than any in the past, retail sales are in a huge slump. Retailers are losing money faster than they can make it.

I say go for it! The more people that retailers can draw into stores to spend money, means that retailers will be hiring more seasonal employees, and, if sales are good enough, they may keep some of their seasonal employees after the holiday season has exhausted us all. In a state with, what, 13% unemployment?, I think anything that opens up a job for those looking for work is a blessing - even if it's temporary.

So, if you have the money to spend, spend it! You could just be giving someone a respite from the depression of unemployment.

Posted by Curious, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 10:29 am

@ Billie- Well said. Thanks for keeping it in perspective.

Posted by valleyview dad, a resident of the Vineyard Avenue neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 12:52 pm

If you have (or had) kids, it's never too early for Christmas and Santa to arrive at the mall (or anywhere else for that matter). Christmas IS for children. Ho! Ho! Ho! :)

Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 2:04 pm

Posted by Grinch, a resident of the Apperson Ridge neighborhood

With spelling and grammar this bad (another Gatetree, Tango and several others) maybe we should be buying grammar books or tutoring sessions for you.

With a year like this is it soooo bad that people want to start the Christmas season early? It gives you a reason to forget the horrible year we have had and get on with being happy and thankful.

___________________________________________________________

Grinch -- Can you say "TYPO?" Not to mention the lovely forum software Pleasanton Weekly uses doesn't allow one to edit.

What I meant to type was:

l I can say is -- "And we wonder why the world is in such a sad state?"

If you have time to get that anal about a post on this silly forum, then I suggest you take that time and volunteer at the Pleasanton Schools to tutor the kids on grammar. You apparently feel you are a subject matter expert. Step away from the keyboard and find something constructive to do with your time and skills.

As for myself, I stand by my vow to not shop Stoneridge this holiday season.

Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Cripes! I clearly can't type either! Hey Jeb -- Rather than outing people on this board, can you get us an EDIT feature?

_______________________________________

Posted by Grinch, a resident of the Apperson Ridge neighborhood

With spelling and grammar this bad (another Gatetree, Tango and several others) maybe we should be buying grammar books or tutoring sessions for you.

With a year like this is it soooo bad that people want to start the Christmas season early? It gives you a reason to forget the horrible year we have had and get on with being happy and thankful.

------------------------------> Corrected response below:

Grinch -- Can you say "TYPO?" Not to mention the lovely forum software Pleasanton Weekly uses doesn't allow one to edit.

What I meant to type was:

All I can say is -- "And we wonder why the world is in such a sad state?"

If you have time to get that anal about a post on this silly forum, then I suggest you take that time and volunteer at the Pleasanton Schools to tutor the kids on grammar. You apparently feel you are a subject matter expert. Step away from the keyboard and find something constructive to do with your time and skills.

As for myself, I stand by my vow to not shop Stoneridge this holiday season. In fact, I think I'll take my sales tax revenues to Dublin or Livermore this year.

Posted by Julie, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Julie is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly

I'm with Billie, I think we are seeing Christmas out earlier than usual due to the slumping economy.

I love Christmas, so I don't mind much. I'd rather see the season begin after Thanksgiving, but I don't feel that it detracts from the latter holiday in any way.

Posted by Tango, a resident of the Vineyard Avenue neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Dear Grinch I hate to say this, But at age 70 and with tri focals, I sometimes make typos. I reread all my stuff, but somehow miss a few. Typeing is not easy at my age with arthritis in my fingers.

Posted by Teri, a member of the Vintage Hills Elementary School community, on Nov 18, 2009 at 4:04 pm

HJ, I couldn't agree more. It's not a Holiday Tree, it's a CHRISTMAS tree! Enjoy the spirit of the holiday. Embrace the thought of giving to others and enjoying time with family.