Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas in New York City


 I have been very busy doing the final packing for our move in the new year, but I have also been taking time to enjoy the sights around Manhattan, as it will be my last Christmas season here for a few years.  This will be a photo-rich blog post because there is so much to show about Christmas in New York City!


There are decorations everywhere...


...and many beautiful Christmas trees all over the city. This one is in front of the New York Stock Exchange, and it is always one of my favorite trees to see.


Even the main branch of the New York Public Library, located on Fifth Ave and 42 Street, has a tree in its lobby! If you visit New York City, be sure to visit this magnificent Beaux Arts building that was completed in 1911. With nearly 53 million items, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States, behind only the Library of Congress.  There are plans to enlarge and renovate portions of the library, which you can read about on this link.


The two lion statues outside this library have been nicknamed "Patience" and "Fortitude," and when I visited recently there were amazing sculptures of both lions in the lobby that were entirely made out of Lego blocks! They were the work of Nathan Sawaya. You can click on this photo, and all photos in this post, to enlarge them -- re-click on it again when it re-opens and use your browser back arrow to return to my post.


Bryant Park has a big beautiful Christmas tree, free ice skating and presently many wonderful holiday shops selling a large array of unique gifts and delicious sweets.


Grand Central Station turned 100 years old this year and it also has a holiday fair going on right now with 68 shops selling high-end artisan quality gift items.


The Plaza Hotel has its second annual Christmas tree, and this one honors one of its famous patrons from the past, the author F. Scott Fritzgerald, with a "Great Gatsby" themed tree, designed by Academy Award winner, Catherine Martin.


There is the fabulous Plaza Food Hall by Todd English located at the concourse level. It offers a diverse range of quality specialty foods and prepared dishes for take away or to enjoy in one of eight seating areas, including: Wine Bar, Cheese & Charcuterie Station, Sushi Bar, Burger Bar & Rotisserie, Asian Noodle and Dumpling Bar, Espresso & Tea Bar, Brick Oven Pizza, and a Fish and Seafood Grill.  The three little girls in the photo, that were dressed so beautifully, were choosing what cookies they wanted to buy. They reminded me of the popular children's book by Kay Thompson of Eloise at the Plaza. The Plaza offers quite a spectacular Eloise experience!


Many of the New York City department store windows have magical displays this time of the year. Did you see my visit to the Macy's Santaland Santa Claus on this link?


These were some of the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store. Directly across the street from Saks is Rockefeller Center...



...where you get a glimpse of the annual Rockefeller Christmas tree! This years' tree came from Mount Olive, New Jersey.


The Rockefeller Center tree is decorated with more than 30,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights, and crowned by a Swarovski star.


This is how it looks lit up at night.


Some more nighttime views.




I took this video, not realizing that when I turned my Flip camera on its side to get a full view of the tree, it would appear sideways on the video! Whoops! I'm posting it anyway so you can see how pretty the tree looks when the lights shimmer.


The Baccarat UNICEF Snowflake hangs over 5th Ave at 57th Street.


 It reminds me of a star, a star that shined very brightly in the sky 2012 years ago!


The Nativity creche in St. Patrick's Cathedral -- baby Jesus will be laid in the manger during.Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. In this busy season may we remember the true meaning of Christmas -- the miracle of Jesus' humble birth and His gift of our salvation.

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to one and all! 
Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men!





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52 comments:

Barbara F. said...

Fabulous post, Pat. My favorite time of year to visit Manhattan. xo

pam said...

I LOVE the lights of Christmas and what a city to experience so much in. Between the architecture and the decorations NYC is filled with beauty. I'm trying to imagine sitting and watching them put one of those grand trees up and decorating it....what fun! As always hoping we can all take time to "fall on our knees" in awe, remembering why the Christ child came to earth...to reunite us with God through a personal relationship. Joy to you and yours Pat!

Catherine said...

Wonderful, Wonderful! Thank you Pat and Merry Christmas!

Jo said...

Wonderful photos! Merry Christmas to you and best wishes on your move in the new year!

Lynn said...

Truly magical Pat! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas-enjoy:@)

eileeninmd said...

Pat, NYC really does it up nice for Christmas! I love the store windows and all the pretty trees. The angels have always been a favorite of mine. Love this festive post, beautiful photos. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Merry Christmas to you, Pat! I especially loved this post and all of the beautiful sights in one of my favorite places to visit! Didn't get to NYC this year but enjoyed every photo you shared :)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Absolutely beautiful Pat. I can't get over the lights everywhere. My brother-in-law and his wife moved to the mountains near us last year after living in close-in Long Island all of their marriage and this year she got so homesick she had to return to see just what you've shown us in this post. I will pass this on for her memory book.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Sam

Snap said...

Beautiful post, Pat. I know you have mixed feelings right now -- leaving NY and moving to CO. Such an adventure! Thank you for showing us NY during the holidays and next year, you'll be sharing your new life with us. Exciting! Merry Christmas. oxox

The Gathering Place said...

I've always longed to see New York, but now I must time my visit for the Christmas season. Beautiful! Hope the packing is coming along.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

New York looks amazing at Christmas! We have always talked about going some year during December. Thank you for posting these wonderful photos.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Claudia said...

Be still my heart! New York knows how to dress for the holidays. My favorite windows have always been Lord & Taylor. My lat Christmas time in New York, I took over 300 photos. The same as in Ireland! Merry Christmas, Pat!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous photos. I think that NYC and that area must be the most beautiful place on earth--especially at Christmastime. You will have lots and lots of memories to re-live FOREVER...

Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy

Ciao Chow Linda said...

New York City really becomes a wonderland at Christmas Pat. I'm sure you were soaking up this year in particular, knowing your move is just around the corner. Thanks for clueing me in to the food hall at the Plaza. I didn't know about that.

Susie Q said...

Oh thank you Pat! My bucket list includes being in NYC at Christmas time. I finally did Chicago at Christmas last year so just have one more to go! Hoping it will be next year! Till then I will just revel in your wonderful photos! Thank you for this post and the smiles it gave me!
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Se

Chatty Crone said...

Nothing like the beauty of New York at Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

ellen b. said...

I think I need to add Christmas time in New York to my list of things to do, too. So many pretty sights. I love the shot of the 3 little girls at that counter in their winter coats. So cute!

Judy said...

So beautiful...NYC at Christmas. Thanks for sharing it all with us, despite your busyness...before you move on. My favorite photo is the one of the three girls in their cute coats picking out cookies!

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas!
Judy

Vee said...

Magnificent! And it doesn't hurt to be listening to Handel's Messiah at this very moment. Just about perfect in fact. How I love your mention of His great gift. Gifts can only be appreciated and enjoyed when they are received. May many take the gift, open it, and appreciate His great love this Christmas.

Thank you for showing the video. I may have a stiff neck for a few minutes ☺, but that was great. I used to think that I would visit NYC at Christmastime. I no longer think so, though I am so grateful that I found you some years ago and have enjoyed your tours of your beloved city.

Maria said...

Beautiful pictures! There's no place like New York at Christmastime! Merry Christmas!

Beth said...

I love this post! New York City is so beautiful at Christmas! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

Susie said...

Thank you Pat. I loved seeing all your photos. I am truly going to miss seeing NYC through your eyes. Have a very Merry Christmas, you and all your loved ones. xoxo,Susie

Pamela Gordon said...

Pat, thank you for sharing this wonderful photos of downtown Manhattan all dressed up for Christmas. They are beautiful and I am so glad to see some sights that I saw there too and some I wish I had seen! Love the video of the Rockefeller tree sparkling so beautifully. I will miss your wonderful posts of NYC but look forward to the ones you find in your new home. Have a very blessed Christmas Pat. Love and hugs, Pamela

Pat said...

Pure Magic! Thank you. Beautiful.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Merry Christmas Pat to you and yours and thank you for sharing all this lovely Christmas with us from NYC. It must be really special to be there in person. I love the last photo the best.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Christmas in New York is on my bucket list. Wonderful photographs.

Betsy Brock said...

Thanks for the lovely Christmas tour...wow..how wonderful!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Pat, this is so lovely. How I love NYC! Thank you for sharing. One of the happiest Easters of my life was spent at the Plaza. What fun we had!

Merry Christmas, my sweet friend, to you and yours...

xo,

Sheila

Linda said...

I have never been to NYC so I especially enjoyed this Christmas Tour!! What a beautiful place!!
Thank YOU!!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

So Beautiful, Pat! I'm sure you will miss these gorgeous sights but a good trade, I think ;)

steviewren said...

Thank you for the Christmas tour Pat!

Have a wonderful Christmas season there in NYC. I'm sure you will love your future Christmases with your family just as much as you have all the years you've spent in the city. .

Gloria said...

Greetings, Pat. I'm visiting from Pinterest from your last pins that I saw! Man, you got so many gorgeous shots of the city in this post. And I loved your video too (even though I had to turn my laptop over twice. LOL!) And, you are MOVING? Where are you going, why are you leaving Bklyn/NYC?? Well, if you are busy packing, you don't have time to email me with an answer, that's for sure. But I hope you have a great Christmas and a happy and safe move! Good luck and blessings with your move and your new year, Pat. See you on Pinterest.
Best,
Gloria

Kris said...

Oh Pat, I will never forget my visit to NYC, and I sure hope I get to go again. Your post makes me want to go right now! My neighbors went last week, and had a fabulous time! I loved each of your photos, and went to most of those places mentioned.
I am afraid you will miss your city when you move!! But there it will always be a plane ride away for you.
Merry Christmas!!!
xo Kris

My name is Riet said...

And I love all your Christmas photo's Pat.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas time.
Riet

Sheila said...

Thank you for such a close glimpse of New York all decked out for Christmas Pat! Looking at your photos brings to mind " the most wonderful time of the year" I hope that Santa Claus was listening and that your wish comes true. All the best to you for a special day this Christmas filled with so many memories of Christmases past and anticipation of the wonderful Christmases in Colorado that you will be celebrating in the future!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Love those giant candy canes - and everything else! Have a very merry Xmas, Pat. Love from Sicily. xx

Lovella ♥ said...

I love the sparkle and brightness of the lights around Christmas. Thank you for sharing the views of Manhattan. I can imagine you are soaking it all in.
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you dear Pat!

nanny said...

I have always wanted to go to New York for Christmas. I know you will miss your city but I"ll bet you will have much beauty to share with us from your new home! Merry Christmas Pat.

Yvette said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this, Pat. Since I couldn't be there again this year, your photos are the next best thing. Gosh, these photos take me back...

THANK YOU!!!!!

And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, Pat. Good luck with your packing and moving and settling in out in the wild, wild west.

Carol said...

There is nothing like Christmas in NYC and you capture it beautifully, Pat! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I haven't been in NYC at Christmas in a long time. After seeing your photos, I know it is way too long.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you aren't moving until after Christmas.

These are wonderful! No one does "lights" like NYC!

Linda Fairstein wrote a mystery that had much interesting info about the library. The last time we were in New York, we walked over to go through it. WOW!

Merry Christmas! I look forward to hearing about your new home and seeing pictures of those grandsons.

diane b said...

A fabulous city looking even more wonderful at Christmas time. Thank you for the tour. I have always wanted to see NY at Christmas and Sydney for New Year. The Rockefeller tree looks amazingly beautiful.

Flavia Galasso said...

Once I wish to spend my Xmas Holidays in NY city....have a wonderful merry Xmas. xoxoxoxxo, Flavia

podso said...

I'm not sure how I missed this post but I'm so glad I found it! Just love seeing all the Christmas sights in NYC! Thanks so much for the trouble of posting them all and making such nice mosaics. I hooe you are having a good Christmas week my friend!

Trotter said...

Hi Pat! Hope you are having a great season! Sorry for the absence, but 2012 was definitely a difficult year here in Portugal, and even worse for me...
Wish you a very Happy 2013, and enjoy Grenada in Blogtrotter Two!

PS: I definitely miss NYC...

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I'm taking a little break from blogging, but I just had to stop by and see your beautiful photos and tell you how much I enjoyed them.
I'd love to see New York some day. My son has been there on business a few times and just recently was there. He told me that I wouldn't like to drive there. He didn't much like the driving, either, as he got a ticket looking at his phone for directions to get where he was going!
Hope you had a nice Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Cucina49 said...

I've always wanted to go to NYC at this time of year, but it's never happened. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. Happy holidays!

Tracy said...

Oh, yes, nothing like Christmas in NYC! Hope you & yours are having a sweet holiday, Pat! It's been a LOT of feasting here too. After much festivity and making ready, it's relax time now... aaahh... Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

Nellie said...

Beautiful NY photos, Pat!

AdriBarr said...

This is my first visit to your site. What a glorious pot. New York certainly knows how to celebrate Christmas! Thanks for a terrific post. All the best to you in the coming year!

Annesphamily said...

Just gorgeous shots! A wonderful tour of your beloved NYC! Thanks for sharing! My so Nick wants to go to NYC! It is a trip he hopes to make one day not too far off! I have been all over New york state but never the city! Maybe a trip in the works for this phamily!