Shopping Mall Ditches Christmas Tree to Give Santa Something Else to Sit Under That You Probably Won't Believe — and Ye Olde Backlash Is Swift

The SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina, had decided to break with tradition this holiday season and give Santa Claus a brand new place where tiny tots with their eyes all aglow could visit him.

And that meant no Christmas tree — but a way cool glacier!

As you might imagine, the reaction to the new Santa experience wasn't very positive:

.@simonmalls honestly, you have to be kidding me. What is that? This is awful. #BringBackTheTree pic.twitter.com/VPakPNVBwB

— Jess Petrauskas (@JessPetrauskas) November 7, 2015

Santa's #glacier looks like a tidal wave and a massive jellyfish Get real @SouthParkMallNC #BringBackTheTree pic.twitter.com/SaEStpY18F

— Corley Higgins (@corleyhiggins) November 7, 2015

Who needs a silly tree when you have, well, um...

#bringbackthetree pic.twitter.com/vaLV7yZ5RS

— Andrea Lockard (@andilockard) November 7, 2015

A song even hit social media blasting the display:

RT - "Have A Holly Jolly Glacier" @SouthParkMallNC @simonmalls PLEASE #BringBackTheTree ! https://t.co/tSIGsnOygf

— David Britt (@davidbritt) November 7, 2015

A petition soon hit the Internet, which gathered over 22,000 signatures:

Petition To CEO of South Park Mall Demanding They #BringBackTheTree is Now Going Viral https://t.co/6R1DpqBte8

— Kohleen Nornes (@KohleenNornes)

November 7, 2015

The mall finally got the message:

We're adding key elements to the Santa set this week & listening to our customer feedback, we will now include a traditional Christmas tree.

— SouthPark Mall (@SouthParkMallNC) November 7, 2015

.@SouthParkMallNC says due to shopper feedback, they are removing the glacier/returning to traditional décor. pic.twitter.com/EHhYgrwwrw

— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) November 8, 2015

Pics sent to us showing that the glacier experience is being taken down at SouthPark Mall. @WCCBCharlotte pic.twitter.com/uFUjMGf5UE

— Marvin Beach (@MBeach14)

November 8, 2015

(H/T: Twitchy)

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