I can't believe I'm already talking about Santa Claus. Halloween was less than a week ago?! But he'll be appearing at Triangle-area malls as early as this Friday. So I thought I'd put a list together.

Here's where he'll be. And stay tuned for our Christmas/Holiday Guide in the next couple of weeks. (Here is the very beginning of it. Much more to come).

Brier Creek Commons, Highway 70 and Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh. Get there by 6 p.m., Nov. 14, to see Santa arrive. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and includes a tree lighting; holiday parade featuring Santa and all the kids; and visits with Santa. There's refreshments too. Bring your camera. No professional photographer here. The evening also marks the beginning of Brier Creek's horse-drawn sleigh rides. They run on weekends through Dec. 21. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. They also will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 24. Sleigh rides are free (but Santa won't be there after Nov. 14).

Brightleaf Square, West Main and Gregson streets, downtown Durham. They tell me they're planning an event on Dec. 13 during the day. It will feature Santa Claus, music and other fun. Details to come. Check their Web site. Just got word of their event. It starts at 10:30 a.m. and runs to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 13, starting with a performance from the Durham Music Teachers Association's student violinists. Santa arrives at noon in the courtyard and sticks around until 3 p.m. There's more live music and treats from the merchants. Bring your own camera for a photo with Santa.

Cameron Village, 1900 Cameron St., Raleigh. Santa will be there from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 20. Santa's parade is from 5 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and ends at Tookie's Toys. Bring your own camera. Photos are free.

Cary Towne Center, 1105 Walnut St., Cary. Santa starts his visit at 6 p.m., Nov. 7. You can find him at the mall after that from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., Sundays from Nov. 8 to Dec. 24. Santa takes a break from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. It's free to visit with Santa, but the mall asks that you refrain from taking your own pictures. Photo packages start at $15.99. Photos with your pets are from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 19, Dec. 6 and Dec. 10. And spend $100 at select stores and/or Santa's set at the mall before Nov. 26 and you get two free tickets to Disney on Ice next month. Here are the details.

Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. Have breakfast with Santa at 8:30 a.m., Nov. 15, in the Food Court. Then follow him over to his seat for photos starting at 10 a.m.. He'll be there through Dec. 24 during mall hours (10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday). Break times are 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday. You're allowed to take two of your own photos of your child sitting on Santa's lap from the designated "personal camera site" next to the cashier outside of the set. Photo packages start at $12.99.

Crossroads Plaza, Walnut Street, Cary. Horse-drawn carriage rides with Santa are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 (all Saturdays). The rides leave from Dicks Sporting Goods. Bring your camera.

North Hills, Six Forks Road and the Beltline, Raleigh. The North Hills Christmas Tree Lighting and Sip and Stroll is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 22. Santa Claus, the Theater in the Park's Ira David Wood, carolers, the lighting of the giant Christmas tree and more at this annual event that includes a little falling snow. Then, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Saturdays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 20, visit with Santa in his gingerbread house and take your own photos on the Commons at North Hills. Look for occasional visits from Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph. Elves will be around the property. And North Hills' Holiday Greens Market will run from 11 a.m .to 3 p.m., Saturdays from Nov. 22 to Dec. 20.

Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd., Durham. Santa arrives around 10:45 a.m., Nov. 22. A marching band will lead him to his chair at 11 a.m. and he'll be there through Dec. 24 for photos. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. Northgate's popular Maestro Leonard Bearstein will be conducting his orchestra of 18 animatronic bears starting Nov. 22 until after Christmas. Bring your camera to take photos of your kids amid Northgate's holiday finery. But photos on Santa's lap are for the professionals to take, I'm told. Packages start at around $10.

The Streets at Southpoint, 6910 Fayetteville Rd., Durham. Photos with Santa start either Nov. 15 or Nov. 17 - the Web site has both dates. Scratch that. The mall tells me their Web site was wrong. Santa will appear at 10 a.m., Nov. 22, and will be there through Dec. 24. Santa's hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday (with breaks 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday (with a break from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.) You can download a coupon for a free CD of photos (valid Monday through Thursday only through Dec. 11 with purchase of a $29.99 photo package or more) and coloring sheet from the site. You are welcome to take one or two photos of your kids on the set. Professional photos are available too. Pet photo nights are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.

Triangle Town Center, 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh. Santa makes his big entrance at 7 p.m., Nov. 7, and he's there until Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. They "respectfully request" that you refrain from using your own cameras. Photo packages start at $15.99. They were still finalizing his break schedule. I'll update this once I get it. This Santa has a real beard.

University Mall, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. Santa makes his appearance at 9 a.m., Nov. 22, and begins his visits with children. Instant color photos are available, but not required, the Web site says, but for each photo taken, the mall will donate $1 to the local children's hospital.

Every Thursday, TriangleMom2Mom offers ideas for ways to spend time with your kids.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!