Residents, businesses kick off holiday season

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- With turkey leftovers safely stored in the refrigerator, thoughts of residents turned toward the upcoming Christmas holiday, as they hit the streets early Friday to kick off the season.

The day after Thanksgiving is, for retailers, the busiest day of the year and New Ulm "The Christmas City" was certainly no exception, as cash registers began ringing as early as 6 a.m. at some locations.

At Marktplatz Mall, residents gathered early to await the opening of the doors at 7 a.m., or to await the arrival of Santa Claus, during the first ever Breakfast with Santa, which began at 7:30.

Children in attendance were treated to a free breakfast of French toast and received a free Beanie Baby, while being entertained by Mrs. Claus and the elves in anticipation of his visit. At 8:15 he arrived in style and gave coloring books and suckers to the children.

"I got here with my children at 6:30 and waited in my car until the mall opened," Nancy Domeier of rural Hanska said. "I wanted to get my shopping done early and wanted to make sure my kids got their share of the last Beanie Babies to be made."

She ended up leaving with only two, however, because her oldest son, Thomas, was above the 10-year-old age limit established by mall management. He admitted that that was just fine with him, anyway.

"I got to see Santa and he gave me a coloring book and a sucker," 6-year-old Stephen Marquis of Cobden said. "I told him what I want for Christmas is a Pokemon."

The excitement continued throughout the day, as Santa maintained a position at the mall,where he greeted grown ups and children with a smile, a handshake and a hearty "Merry Christmas".

"It's been a good day and there has been a steady stream of people coming through," Santa said later in the afternoon. "The breakfast turnout was nice too."

An arts and crafts show at the mall, displaying everything from New Ulm drawings to stained glass Christmas decorations, drew shoppers wanting something unique and different for decorating or giving.

"I came to the mall to help make someone else's holiday special," Lucas Thompson of rural Lafayette said. "The Giving Tree is really a nice feature. It is hard to believe there are that many needy people in our area."

The businesses along Minnesota Street were also a flurry of activity, as shoppers, many of whom were enjoying a day off of work, went from shop to shop looking for that special gift.

"I wanted something unique and European and shopping in New Ulm has almost become a family tradition," Patricia Steffans of N. Mankato said. "Many of my friends were on their way to the Mall of America and I said they were crazy going there on the day after Thanksgiving."

Others, wanting to avoid traffic in the Cities or Mankato, visited New Ulm hoping to find a parking space long enough to buy not presents, but decorations for themselves.

"I always try to do something different with my decorating each year and I always draw inspiration from some of the stores here in New Ulm," Martha Walker of rural Comfrey said. "Gift shopping? I did my gift shopping in September. Except for needing something for my new grandson, I'm finished. It's decorating I'm worried about now."

Local merchants were pleased with the overall sales by mid-afternoon, with many reporting high volumes.

"It's too early to tell yet, but sales have been steady," an employee at the Christmas Haus said. "We don't have too many just window shopping, most of the people in here today are buying."

Market analysts predict that many people will be buying items on-line and avoid crowded stores, but a stable economy and low-employment rate may benefit merchants overall.

"People won't be spending as much this holiday season as in past years, because many are avoiding the commercial atmosphere of Christmas," Minneapolis Market Analyst Kimberly Stephens said. "Many more are also focusing on the needy and tend to be more thrifty than in the past."

The day's festivities ended as hundreds of residents braved the chilly air and lined Minnesota Street, for the annual Parade of Lights, featuring an appearance by Santa Claus and the first-ever Target Shopping Carts for Charity event. The team members and their families pushed lighted shopping carts down the parade route collecting donations of food and money that will be given to the local food bank.

"It is fun for the team members to be involved in this type of event," Team Leader Sue Pfeffer said. "People enjoy the parade and enjoy helping others. Kids especially enjoy it and many will be pushing shopping carts."