There’s Christmas Creep, and then there’s showing up so early to the party that your guests aren’t even aware they’ve been invited yet. At least one mall in these United States has already ensconced the seasonal Santa Claus in his digs, surely giving some Christmas Creep curmudgeons out there a case of the grumbles.

While perhaps you haven’t even decided whether you’re doing mashed potatoes AND scalloped potatoes this year or just mashed (do both), Santa is already ready for visitors at one Staten Island, N.Y. mall, reports DNAInfo.com.

The mall has had its tree lighting ceremony and opened the winter wonderland six weeks before Christmas, and two weeks before Thanksgiving, with an outdoor hullabaloo including a parade.

Despite the grumpers among us at such an early show of Santa’s power, some people like the early arrival.

“It’s never too early,” one woman who took her kids to see the ceremony said. “I’m ready to put my tree up this week.”

What do you think? Definitely both mashed potatoes and scalloped, right? Oh, and also about mall Santa:

Santa Claus Comes to the Staten Island Mall in Time for Thanksgiving [DNAInfo.com]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.