Helps bring You better watch out, you better not cry, Scarborough residents, because Santa Claus and his reindeer have already come to  Scarborough Town Centre.

Planet Santa arrived at the mall on Nov. 12, bringing with them a host of activities including face painting, arts and crafts, and music.  Planet Santa also provides people an opportunity to take a photo with the jolly fellow and ask him for that something special.

Seven-year-old Katlyn Mcarandang was one of many children in attendance on Tuesday eager to meet St. Nick.

“I want to take a picture with Santa and I want to ask him, “Can I have my presents early?’” Mcarandang said.  She added she really wants a golden retriever puppy and her sister came to ask Santa for a butterfly.

The pre-Christmas festivities also bring foot traffic into the store, in turn helping boost sales and creating a festive atmosphere.

“We want people to come in and have a great experience,” said Jai Lee, Marketing Director of Oxford Properties which handles the STC. “If people are happy, they’ll be in a great mood and go shop and go to the food court.”

Shoppers and members of the public who attend the event tend to return for many years afterwords.

“We have such loyal customers and they come back year after year and, as their kids are growing, it’s great to see them taking pictures with the same Santa,” Lee said.

Her daughter, now a third-year University student, used to come to see Santa as a child.  She will be coming again this year with her girlfriends to take another photo to continue the tradition.

Aytheda Walker is one of those returning patrons who was accompanied by her two daughters, Samantha Walker, 6, and Mikaela Marroquin, 2.  She has come three times before with her older daughter Samantha and liked the fact  it wasn’t as busy this year.

“Today is a good day, compared to the other years.  So it’s not as long of a lineup,” Aytheda said.  What was unique this year was that both her daughters came dressed up in matching outfits to take pictures with Santa.