BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS : SHOPPING CROWDS HIT MALLS SANTA CLAUS, PRESENTS PUT HOLIDAY SEASON IN FULL SWING.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

For many people, heading to the malls Friday had nothing to do with shopping and everything to do with getting into the holiday spirit.

Some took their children to see Santa. Some looked for holiday sweat shirts for themselves. Others peeked into boutiques and department stores dripping with Christmas ornaments and red and green tablecloths.

As early as 7 a.m., The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks was serving some shoppers who planned to get all the items on their holiday shopping list while everyone else was still home in bed. Other shoppers later strolled through the newest mall at Thousand Oaks, The Promenade at Westlake, to admire the holiday decorations and stop for coffee and gourmet lunches at Bristol Farms.

Two-year-old Amy Friedrichsen bounced around and played with other children while she and her mother, Paula Friedrichsen, waited in line for Santa at The Oaks. It was Amy's first time climbing onto St. Nick's lap.

``She said she's going to ask for a present,'' her mother said. ``She doesn't quite understand the whole concept yet, but she hasn't gotten scared. She's very excited.''

Stephanie Bengston of Moorpark, Sheri Corson of Ventura and Danielle Hoffman, visiting from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., got together for a day of shopping.

Bengston was looking for a new leather jacket and some women-only time. Her husband was home with their children. Her friends wanted to do a little browsing.

``I used to shop every year after Thanksgiving, but it just got too crazy,'' Corson said. ``I decided to give it a try this year anyway.''

So did a lot of people who were looking for specific merchandise at advertised prices or just having fun wandering the aisles. Some stores were offering special savings on purchases before 11 a.m.

Linda Throgmorton and Beverly Wallworth spent the morning looking for party dresses and enjoyed beating the crowds to the dressing rooms.

``We've had the greatest time. There's just no one here this early,'' Throgmorton said. ``We thought we would have to valet park, but we got here and said, hey, there's a spot right here.''

Sue Rossen of Moorpark may hold the record for Christmas shopping. She arrived at the Kmart in Moorpark at 7:15 a.m. and next did some shopping at Mervyn's. By 9:30 a.m. at The Oaks, she was done with her holiday shopping for the year and sitting on a bench at the mall to listen to the Thousand Oaks High School band play Christmas carols.

``You can see it getting progressively more crowded,'' Rossen said about the mall. ``I'm sure when I go out to my car, the parking lot is going to be packed.''

Margaret Gonzales of Thousand Oaks carried three shopping bags of purchases she made before 9:30 a.m. She already had put one load of purchases into her car.

``It usually takes . . . three hours, and I'm done,'' Gonzales said about shopping early in the day to beat the crowds. ``I've gotten everything except some toys. This is a tradition. I do this every year.''

Herman Valdivia waited outside Macy's with his two daughters while his wife shopped for crystal candlesticks. Brianna, 7, and Ashley, 4, already were bored with shopping, although the family had been at the mall only about an hour.

``We want to go somewhere fun - where Santa is,'' Brianna said.

Some residents brought relatives and friends from out of town to see The Promenade, the latest tourist attraction for the Conejo Valley. Jane Denice, who came from New Jersey to visit her two children and grandchildren, had heard about the new shopping center before she saw it - and said it met expectations.

``We got here at 10. It's beautiful,'' Denice said.

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5 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Bella Infante, with a Macy's sack, and Cristy Infante, right, brave the first holiday crowds to get some shopping done at The Oaks.

(2--color) Nicholas Bryman, 4, spots his reflection as he touches a gleaming ornament at The Promenade shopping center.

(3-4) A weary little shopper gets a ride on her father's shoulders at The Promenade, top, while Santa Claus waves at The Oaks. Crowds hit both shopping centers Friday in Thousand Oaks.

(5) Casimiro Lepe rests while his wife shops at The Oaks.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News