'Tis the season

Approaching my 20th Christmas, I have reached an important conclusion: Once a Christmas baby, always a Christmas baby. Born on Dec. 7, the Christmas spirit is something I cannot shake. December is my favorite month, I'm scared of the Grinch and the thought of January brings tears.

Shopping for countless gifts is not a pain, but a pleasure. Family members and friends gratefully place their credit cards into my gloved hand annually, allowing me to shop until I drop. Though the dropping part has never happened, I nonetheless return with handfuls of bags and bargains, making the giver seem like a genius, and causing the receiver to gasp with delight.

Though the shopping is unbelievably satisfying for Christmas-lovers, from Santa to Starbucks, Seattle is just the place to experience the "most wonderful time of the year."

Mission Christmas began on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Feeling festive, I donned a fur-collared sweater and headed downtown to see the big man in red.

Spending a little time with Santa is an excellent way to get the season rolling. Though seeking one's own needs is a rather ironic to start the season of giving, clearing everything up with St. Nick provides inspiration.

Santa has two homes in downtown Seattle. Santa's Castle at Nordstrom, located on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Pine Street, was my first stop.

Stepping inside the pink and red house immediately produced a smile. It is all about Christmas inside -- with frost on the window, "Santa Baby" softly playing in the background, and friends of Santa offering snacks and drinks.

According to employee Nicole Villalobos, Nordstrom tries to makes each child's experience special.

"We had twin boys in who told their parents they would only believe in Santa if he gave them these certain magic cards. The parents brought the gift and we hid it and Santa brought it out when they were on his lap," she said.

A big hit, the boys were believers once again. These features seem to agree with kids and parents alike.

"I think this place is great. We're offered cookies and cider and coloring," said Olivia Wicks, mother of two, as she stood in line.

Unlike most people's unpleasant Santa memories of screaming children and rude elves, Santa's Castle is a picture of peace. Children color as they contemplate what they will say to the man who holds the future in his hands.

Margaret Rican, mother of two-year-old J.T. and four-year-old Luke, comes here every year.

"This house is so cute, and Santa is always really nice and very patient," she said.

Nordstrom even provides a service that allows parents to take their own pictures. Though Nordstrom offers packages ranging from $19 to $75, they are optional for purchase.

"They never rush you. You would never know that there is a whole line of people behind you when it's your turn with Santa," Rican said.

After a 35-minute wait (which is not bad, since over the weekend it topped two hours), it is my turn to see Santa. I hop on his lap, flash a smile, and say, "P.S. Santa, I want a car."

I was expecting just a laugh and a wave goodbye from Santa to me, the crazy college girl. Instead he paused.

"Well, what kind of car," Santa asked me.

After telling him a new red Jetta would be perfect, he laughs and tells me, "You're on Santa's lap. You can ask for anything. Do you want a Ferrari?"

After this encouragement, I am more than ready to visit another Santa, and see if he can make as good of a promise as this guy.

A three-block walk to Macy's and an elevator ride to the seventh floor is Holiday Lane. Everything and anything having to do with Christmas is sold up here, and Santa sits on his throne awaiting visitors.

Macy's Santa is run by David Logan of Arthur and Associates, also known as "Frosty."

"We're the original Santa photographers," said Logan. Arthur and Associates started in 1961, when it was bought from Art French, who first established the Santa photography business in Seattle in 1943.

This Santa site boasts "Santas with real beards" and short lines, said Logan. A "save-our-spot" system allows families to check back in for their turn, allowing the maximum line time to only hit about 20 minutes.

Purchasing pictures from Arthur and Associates is necessary. Prices range from $19.00 to $52.50.

While Macy's Santa did not offer a Ferrari, Frosty's friendliness was well worth the trip.

After spending time with the Santas, it was time to check out the shopping. Downtown is already blissfully embracing the holidays; every tree on the street is lined with white lights, and department stores are decked out. While Nordstrom strays from the mainstream with pink and lime-green decor, Macy's stays true to tradition with red.

Westlake Center and Pacific Place were also adorned in red, green, gold and silver.

Yet, amid the many shops and what seemed like millions of shoppers, a surprise sat on Fourth Avenue and Pine Street

Red Starbucks cup in hand- -- a must for any and every day from when the festive cups debuted on Nov. 10 until they disappear in January -- I crossed the street and entered King 5's Holiday Wonderland.

This Holiday Wonderland features the Quest Carousel, an ideal all-age attraction. Anyone (over the height requirement) can hop on the carousel for the suggested $2 donation. All proceeds benefit the Northwest Center.

Feeling a little lonely cruising on a unicorn by myself, I opted not to ride the carousel on this trip, but do plan on returning. Carousel hours are available at downtownsetattle.com.

Another feature I discovered is Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker March. From Seattle Center to Pioneer Square, fifty, 400-pound, 7-foot nutcrackers stand on the street for people to admire. For exact locations and artists, visit nutcrackermarch.org.

Exhausted with my trip downtown, I moseyed to U-Village to see how jolly it was. Every building is lit with white Christmas lights along with roof, and Christmas music plays as you walk throughout the outdoor shopping center.

Located next to Zao Noodle Bar is yet another house of Santa. This green house with a white picket fence is open daily from noon to 8 p.m.

Hours later, I return home, cold but excited that there are still many more days left in December. One I'll especially look forward to is when my pictures with Santa arrive in the mail.