Here at Shopping Center Weekly, we’re already pretty fond of Thursdays. Shoppers at The Woodlands Mall, Mayfair Mall and Alderwood Mall have also been enjoying that particular day of the week this month with Merrier Thursdays.

It’s an idea that percolated up from within General Growth Properties, and has now made its way to the malls thanks to the energy and iniative of employees at all levels of the company. The goal is to make Thursday nights in December an all-fun, no-stress experience that’s bright, festive and engaging.

It’s an uphill battle—Christmas shopping can be stressful at the best of times, after all—but the centers are doing their level best. A Happiness patrol roams the mall over the course of the evening, treating guests to small gifts and bits of merriment. If your holiday enthusiasm is waning, it sure would be nice to be surprised with a bottle of water, a refreshing mint, or a gift card.

Retailers are also on board, rolling out fun giveaways, discounts and party atmospheres for Thursday evenings. Music performances also keep the fun going, from publicized marquee acts to smaller, intimate performances in quiet corners.

And for those shoppers stressed out about finding the perfect, personalized gift for a special person, the centers are bringing in a little help in the form of a trio of poets. Shoppers can give those poets a few of that special someone’s good points, and in return they receive a custom verse, printed on parchment and placed in a decorative envelope.

“The feedback from our three Merrier Thursdays centers is already very positive. Signs are in place inviting the public to come and join the fun. The newspapers and blogs are filled with stories and postings about the event. And, the retailers and restaurants are whole heartedly embracing Merrier Thursdays, designing ways to participate and further enhance the event,” says Johnna Van Deurzen, GGP Director, Events Management. “Merrier Thursdays is designed to build retailer and restaurant sales. We are really looking forward to our shopper’s reactions to the unexpected fun.”

Gift cards are already pretty convenient—they’re quick to buy, and they’re always just what the recipient wants. But they could be better. They could be wherever you happen to be.

That must be how some shoppers felt over the holiday season, when Metropolis at Metrotown’s gift card truck showed up at high-traffic locations through the Lower Mainland. It launched with the center’s inaugural Black Friday event in November, and traveled the city throughout the holidays.

Not only could shoppers pick up an extra-convenient gift card, they could also “give a gift with a smile.” The truck also served as a mobile photo booth, taking Polaroid photos of shoppers that they could use to customize their cards. The photo booth also stocked up on gift-with-purchase offers.

During the week leading up to Christmas, the truck stayed closer to home. The center had its Moonlight Madness extended hours, and the gift card truck was stationed in the center’s parking lot. Shoppers could drive through and purchase gift cards without even leaving their cars.

Lougheed Town Centre and Brentwood Town Centre, in British Columbia, Canada, are celebrating the Lunar New Year this weekend, as are many other malls in Canada and around the world.  Based on the Chinese calendar, the holiday is also celebrated as the Lunar Festival, Spring Festival, Chinese New Year, Korean New Year, and several others titles. It begins with the first day of the first lunar month on the Chinese calendar.

Some of the events planned by these shopping center include calligraphy lessons, traditional Chinese dances, exhibitions of traditional Korean art and dance, and the ever-popular Lion dance. Authenticity is important in observing cultural traditions, so the shopping centers have sought out experts in these cultural activities for demonstrations and exhibitions.

Does your shopping center observe multicultural holidays and traditions?

Modus, developers of the upcoming Newport shopping center Friars Walk, has planted the seeds of a long lasting relationship with its customers-to-be. Last November, the developers held an Information Day to inform Newport residents of the progress and plans for Friars Walk, and over the course of the day gave out 500 “grow your own” Christmas Trees.

Now Modus is maintaining the relationships that were developed on that day. It’s put out a call for updates and photos of the status of the saplings, along with tips for growing strong, healthy Christmas trees. It may be a small initiative, but it’s helping Modus develop deep roots of community integration, part of the developer’s larger plan.

Seasons greetings, merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to all of you from all of us at Shopping Center Weekly! We hope you have a safe and happy holiday, and a wonderful New Year.

Since Christmas falls on our usual newsletter release this week, there will be an early issue. It’s short but sweet – a perfect treat for the start of a nice winter break.

Our next newsletter will arrive in your inbox on January 8th, full-length and filled with great stories and ideas from shopping centers around the world. We can’t wait to share it with you.

Until then, take care and have a great holiday!