I know, I know. It's Thanksgiving next week and we're already jumping ahead to Christmas and I'm usually a by the book follower of waiting until Thanksgiving to get a jump on the season but this year, we're feeling it a little bit earlier.

It might be because of the early snow and cold {why do we live here again?} or it might be because my 5 year old and I saw Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas last weekend but whatever it is, I'm feeling it.

When do you start your Christmas decorating and celebrating? Do you wait for Thanksgiving? have certain traditions that don't wait?

There's a few things kicking off this weekend to take advantage of if you, too, are feeling the Christmas spirit already.

Macy's Santaland at the downtown Macy's opens Saturday and runs through Christmas Eve. Though the display doesn't change anymore, it's a fun Christmas tradition to walk through "A Day in the Life of an Elf". It's totally free but you can purchase snacks, photos with Santa and more in the gift shop.

Santa and Albert the Elf will be performing at the Bachman's Lyndale Avenue store weekends throughout the rest of November and December. Performances will take place at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Santa will arrive at Bachman's this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for a Holiday kickoff full of treats, shopping and even some crafts. This event and the weekend performances are all free.

What do you do to kickoff the Christmas season?