Boo to you and Santa too

Happy Halloween. Hope that all your little ones had a great time getting loads of candy. Mine had a blast and came home with buckets full of stuff. Much more than their little bodies can consume. I just ordered a pizza to be delivered for us parents for dinner and the little people are off to bed on a raging sugar high.

The crazy part here is the Santa part. As amazing as it is Christmas seems to be "out" earlier every year. Target, Costco, everyone is already decorating and selling Christmas stuff too. Crazy. This week I also got a postcard in the mail telling me when I could again make my reservation to see Santa. Yes, I am one of the crazy ones that makes the appointment and drives to Phipps to see "THE" Santa. I mean this is the Coke Santa. He is really a pretty one. So my theory is if we are going to get the token picture that I already don't enjoy buying then it needs to be with someone that looks the part. Thus we have gone for 2 years now (since Jenna was born) to see the Santa at Phipps. The sad part of the story is this fine man passed away this past April. But I will continue to drive there this year assuming that the fine people at Phipps have gotten another awesome Santa for us. So here is the website . I will be making my appointment late tonight while I am watching reruns of Frasier.

But here is the Phipps Santa scoop.

Guidelines:
The Appointment System will return for 2006 with enhancements and a new service provider. This season, we will offer two ways for you to visit with Santa. Starting November 1st at 12:01am, we will begin accepting appointments for Sunday through Thursday appointments. We will be closed on Mondays, except on Monday, November 20th and Monday, December 18th. You are only allowed to book one appointment per family. We will be checking the site for double bookings and will delete any double bookings found without notice.

Schedule
Opening Saturday, November 11th thru Sunday, December 24th, 2006
We will be closed on Mondays except November 20th and December 18th, 2006.
There will be no photo pick-up on the Mondays we are closed.
Tuesday through Saturday
Morning Session: 10:30 am to 1:00pm
Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Evening Session: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Sundays and Christmas Eve
Morning Session: 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Of course this the high maintenance version of seeing Santa ;)

And the major Alpharetta holiday events are as follows:

29th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration -Historic Downtown Alpharetta on Milton Avenue

Sunday, December 3, 2006 at 5:00pm

Come and join the Alpharetta community for the 29th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration on Milton Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Alpharetta. The evening will begin with holiday musical and dance performances. Mayor Arthur Letchas and his wife, Sally, will read a story for the children: “Twas the Night before Christmas.” Then the Mayor will present the beautiful 45ft live tree with over 10,000 white twinkling lights.

Once the tree is lit, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will find their way to the downtown square by means of an Alpharetta Fire Truck. Visiting and photographs with Santa in the gazebo. A variety of free children activities and refreshments will be available. All of the activities are FREE, except for the horse and buggy rides with a nominal fee of $3.00 per person. Please come out and join us for wonderful family event in Alpharetta.

Santa's Calling - North Pole

Monday, December 4, 2006 6:00 PM
Santa Claus will be calling local boys and girls age 8 and under from his Toy Workshop at the North Pole. Moms and Dads, Santa needs you to complete a registration form and return it to any Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department facility by Friday, December 2nd. Santa will make calls on Monday, December 4th and Tuesday, December 5th from 6pm to 8pm. Forms will be available November 1st. For more information, call 678-297-6130 or email wprcprograms@alpharetta.ga.us.

Cookies with the Clauses - Alpharetta Community Center

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 12:00 PM
Join your friends with Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department for some cookies, decorating, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with other fun children's activities. This event is free but participants are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped gift for a child for a local donation. Cookies with the Clauses will be held from 12pm to 3pm. For more information, call 678-297-6100 or email accprograms@alpharetta.ga.us.

Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus - Senior Activity Center

Monday, December 18, 2006 8:30 AM
Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with the staff of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department, invite children age 10 and under to Breakfast with the Clauses. This event will be held from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Senior Activity Center at North Park and is co-sponsored by the Alpharetta Golden Age Club. Pre-registration is required no later than December 13th. For more information, call 678-297-6140 or email seniors@alpharetta.ga.us.

This is a link to some other holiday happenings around Atlanta. Holiday Events

Ginny