Holiday decorating already in full force

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- While many are sitting down for a hearty Thanksgiving Day meal, others are also spending the day putting up lights and decorations.

Sidney Boolootian is keeping his Christmas tree business open all day Thursday because he knows after the turkey is in the oven, people will come to pick out their tree.

"We're always told that a lot of families that have already bought their tree they like to have their tree decorated as they're having Thanksgiving dinner; that's become a tradition now," he said.

Boolootian says holiday decorating is happening earlier and earlier. From nobles to Douglas firs, he can't wait to lead his customers to the right tree.

"I'm very excited, I'm finally getting more relaxed, I have trees on the lot, and we're ready to rock and roll," said Boolootian.

On Christmas Tree Lane, the holiday season is already underway, and Thanksgiving is just another great day for decorating.

"Right now it's crunch time. We're opening up on Tuesday, we're hoping it doesn't rain. We'll be here until Tuesday 12 hours, 14-hour days to get everything ready to go, not only at my house but down the lane," Christmas Tree Lane volunteer coordinator Dean Alexander said.

An Action News poll conducted by SurveyUSA shows 73 percent of people will decorate for the holidays. Of those, 21 percent have already started, while 50 percent will start right after Thanksgiving.

Alexander got some help from his daughter and her friends to make sure his decorations are perfect for Christmas Tree Lane.

"I drove down the lane last night and it brought a smile ear to ear just how wonderful it is and how it looks, and Thanksgiving is the time where the next day we're in the Christmas season so it's pretty neat," said Alexander.

They'll still sit down for turkey, but the lights are on, shining the way toward the next big holiday.