The festive season isn't always jolly for those with homes on the fringe of a Melbourne shopping centre.

And for residents who live near the ever-expanding Chadstone, just leaving their homes around Christmas can be a nightmare.

One of Chadstone shopping centre's full car parks. Credit:Wayne Taylor

"It's just not a pleasant experience," said Steve Clegg, who lives on a street behind the busy shopping centre.

"The pressure on the surrounding roads is just absolutely unrelenting. And if we get any more car traffic going around this place, I think the shopping centre should give us smog masks."