Take This Job and Love It: Holiday Mall Decorating
By: Sarah Swistak
Updated: November 30, 2012
Did you know that roughly 40% of holiday shopping begins prior to Halloween? That's right. Long before Black Friday or Cyber Monday, people are hitting the stores to stock up for holiday gift giving. There's a lot of work that goes into getting the mall ready for those shoppers, as Sarah found out first hand in this month's Take this Job and Love it segment.
Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the mall,
There were five burly men, and one tiny goofball.
"We're going to incorporate you right into the staff and get you working," said Lou Kanzleiter, the General Manager of Nittany Mall.
And believe you me, there was plenty to do.
What typically takes ten days, was about to take two.
But I have to admit, there was no reason to pout.
By the time I arrived, the whole house was out.
So the hard part was over, that much is true.
But preparing for Santa takes a whole crew!
"First, you're gonna bring down some of the packages," said Don Musser, the Operations Manager of Nittany Mall.
Wrapped up and fixed up, those presents would be.
So they could find their way under the tree.
"Alrighty. I think what we're going to have you do is put this window frame in here. Are you good with a drill?", asked Musser.
Am I good with a drill? Was there ever any doubt?
There shouldn't have been, I installed the window panes throughout!
Then I hung the stockings by the chimney with care.
And placed flowers in the windows with my own special flair.
After that came a job that was quite tall.
Where I needed one of these in case of a fall.
But I wouldn't just sit there along for the ride.
Oh no boys and girls, I was going to drive.
"You're a brave, brave man," said Sarah.
That much is true!
Hold on, sit tight, we're driving right through!
"Well, where are we going exactly? I'll let you steer us. This is like parallel parking," said Sarah.
And with a nod, up the scissor lift we rose.
To hang ice lights and banners and chambeaus.
From there, my friends, the hard work continued.
As we drove the scissor lift to an all-new venue.
Towards the garage we went, and then to new heights.
Before parking the scissor lift at the end of the night.
On the start of day two, there arose such a clatter.
So I ran to center court to see what's the matter.
Checking out all the objects below, I realized there was no snow!
"That's the funnest part," said Don.
"You gotta make it look like it came from the sky and not just a box," said Lou.
So how do they do it? Just how might you ask?
The elf nicknamed "Fluffy" was perfect for the task.
From there you do one layer of fluff,
Followed by snow chips and some sparkly stuff.
Once the snow was down, and we were tired,
We went inside to sit by the fire.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But Santa in stealth mode without the reindeer.
So this thrilled little helper decided to take a chance.
She walked right up and asked him to dance.
One pass of the broom, and the hard work was done.
Needless to say, I had plenty of fun.
And what did I yell as I walked out of sight?
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the mall,
There were five burly men, and one tiny goofball.
"We're going to incorporate you right into the staff and get you working," said Lou Kanzleiter, the General Manager of Nittany Mall.
And believe you me, there was plenty to do.
What typically takes ten days, was about to take two.
But I have to admit, there was no reason to pout.
By the time I arrived, the whole house was out.
So the hard part was over, that much is true.
But preparing for Santa takes a whole crew!
"First, you're gonna bring down some of the packages," said Don Musser, the Operations Manager of Nittany Mall.
Wrapped up and fixed up, those presents would be.
So they could find their way under the tree.
"Alrighty. I think what we're going to have you do is put this window frame in here. Are you good with a drill?", asked Musser.
Am I good with a drill? Was there ever any doubt?
There shouldn't have been, I installed the window panes throughout!
Then I hung the stockings by the chimney with care.
And placed flowers in the windows with my own special flair.
After that came a job that was quite tall.
Where I needed one of these in case of a fall.
But I wouldn't just sit there along for the ride.
Oh no boys and girls, I was going to drive.
"You're a brave, brave man," said Sarah.
That much is true!
Hold on, sit tight, we're driving right through!
"Well, where are we going exactly? I'll let you steer us. This is like parallel parking," said Sarah.
And with a nod, up the scissor lift we rose.
To hang ice lights and banners and chambeaus.
From there, my friends, the hard work continued.
As we drove the scissor lift to an all-new venue.
Towards the garage we went, and then to new heights.
Before parking the scissor lift at the end of the night.
On the start of day two, there arose such a clatter.
So I ran to center court to see what's the matter.
Checking out all the objects below, I realized there was no snow!
"That's the funnest part," said Don.
"You gotta make it look like it came from the sky and not just a box," said Lou.
So how do they do it? Just how might you ask?
The elf nicknamed "Fluffy" was perfect for the task.
From there you do one layer of fluff,
Followed by snow chips and some sparkly stuff.
Once the snow was down, and we were tired,
We went inside to sit by the fire.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But Santa in stealth mode without the reindeer.
So this thrilled little helper decided to take a chance.
She walked right up and asked him to dance.
One pass of the broom, and the hard work was done.
Needless to say, I had plenty of fun.
And what did I yell as I walked out of sight?
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
