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It's been a wet, slightly grim week here in New York, and that means that we at least could use a bit more holiday cheer than usual. There may not be any snow covering the sidewalks yet (just puddles), but at least the holiday displays are out in full force. To get a taste, check out photographer Ian Gittler's slide show of the department store windows that make New York's midtown such an extraordinary place this time of year.
What holiday windows and other decorations have you seen in your travels that make you pause and take a second look? Let us know in the comments.
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What is significant is the total avoidance of Christmas Trees, nativity scenes, stars in the heavens, or any sign that this holiday season is based on Christmas Day - a religious Federal Holiday.
Posted By Park Weaver on December 15, 2008, 12:33 PM
You've got to love those NYC windows. My bags are all packed! Meet you at the airport in 5 minutes ..... Love, Mary
Posted By eileenr7@cox.net, mnjadelizzi@roadrunner.com, hydebo1@aol.com on December 15, 2008, 12:38 PM
The Lord & Taylor and Bergdorf Goodman Christmas windows were the best to see in New York City. We thought that Macy's, Saks, Barney's, and Bloomingdales were all huge disappointments this year (though they were colorful and there were long lines to see them).
Lord & Taylor's have the most beautiful animated displays w/ exquisite detail & artistically presented "traditional" views of "old-fashioned Christmas" and glamorously festive displays in their "fashion" windows.
Bergdorf's has fantastic displays that combine fashion and fantasy (several are like huge artistic "I Spy" collages and you can spend hours looking at them).
Night is best for viewing (and taking pictures of) most of the windows -- crowds (& sidewalk traffic) are are lighter, there's less reflection in the glass, and the lighting makes them POP at night!
Posted By M on December 15, 2008, 1:06 PM
At least Lord and Taylor at least had a Christmas tree so cudo's for them.
Posted By Jim Fischer on December 15, 2008, 1:11 PM
The Bergdorf Goodman windows are FABULOUS! Why weren't they included? Harry Winston didn't make any efforts to add to the holiday charm of NYC.
Posted By Rosemarie on December 15, 2008, 1:17 PM
I got to spend a weekend touring the Christmas markets in Cologne, Germany last year. It was so pleasant to watch the local kids ice skate, drink some glühwein in Christmas mugs, and check out all of the old fashioned toys, wooden and glass ornaments, and other not-so-techy holiday options.
Posted By Emily on December 15, 2008, 2:56 PM
Long before I first moved to NYC, as a 15 yrs old I made the first of many treks to the Number One City in the world; New York!...and I recall to this day my shock and dismay as I stepped onto to Broadway near Times Square for the first time, alone....I saw people of many colors and elasticities.... The reason for my shock is that in of all the movies of NY, the TV shows [at the time], and especially the newspapers, ads and the magazines I had only seen images of white people on the streets of NY. Gentlepersons: A foreigner or a young person viewing your selection of photos of the beauty of the NY windows and surroundings at Christmas could easily come to the same erroneous conclusion today....please, just "do the right thing"..and include us all...after all...isn't it about time...I pray...
Posted By john on December 15, 2008, 4:19 PM
The display in Seoul, S. Korea is over-the-top incredible! Millions of lights make the entire downtown area a magical fantasyland. Besides the obvious lights decorating all the trees in the city (not just strung through the branches, but densely wrapped around all the trunks, a la Tavern on the Green in NYC) plus gigantic huge Christmas trees in the central Plaza, but also massive filigree metal structures, completely done in colored lights. The panels stand about a storey tall and 20 feet wide, and dozens of them line streets, surround fountains, form gates by entrances to hotels, department stores, etc.
At the other end of the spectrum, I absolutely adore the Christmas markets in Germany. It seems every city and little village has their own rendition, but always there are booths filling the town square, decorated in greens and colorful lights, selling everything from gluhwein (hot mulled wine) and wursts & other goodies to hand-crafted Christmas decorations, to leather goods, knitwear, toys, etc. Usually with a carousel for the kids to ride piping out festive music, and often with a "fairy tale forest" -- life-sized animated scenes from all of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, typically surrounded by a virtual forest of decorated Christmas trees. I was lucky enough to live in Germany for 3 years and experience this, and I'm looking forward to being back for a brief pre-Christmas trip this year.
Posted By Tammy on December 15, 2008, 4:44 PM
I agree, the Bergdorf Goodman windows were FABULOUS! I especially likes the Winter White Fantasy windows...so much detail, they were amazing.
Posted By cindysass on December 15, 2008, 9:57 PM
The windows were interesting but totally missed the point. Where is Christmas? Come on merchants, Christmas brings you big bucks. Why not give credit to the reason for the season.
Posted By beverly Keck on December 16, 2008, 11:56 AM
Christmas, both religious and happy. A nice combination that is typical of America. God Bless us, Everyone!
Posted By SueD on December 16, 2008, 8:59 PM
You missed the best windows; Bergdorff's
and the way the color/design of the windows play off Tiffany's which is just across the street.
Don't miss Bergdorff's!
Posted By Alan H. Rosenberg on December 17, 2008, 3:45 PM
Just got back from there. There was snow yesterday after a 61 degree day on monday. It was my first time and I will go back. The Carrage ride at 10:00 at night through Central Park was the topper while it was snowing. GREAT TIME. Now get your ticket and gooooooooooo. The windows are great too.
Posted By JAN on December 17, 2008, 7:34 PM
the windows are decorative, but certainly not about Christmas.
What a missed opportunity.
Posted By W.Williams on December 17, 2008, 10:49 PM
Stop complaining about the displays! They are free, aren't they? Just don't get trampled by the crowds in front of Macy's.
Posted By Rich on December 19, 2008, 9:37 AM
When do they take the windows down?
Posted By JOANN on December 22, 2008, 11:43 PM
It varies by department store, but the windows are typically removed between New Year's Day and January 6.
Posted By Blog Editor on December 23, 2008, 4:49 PM
It would be helpful if someone posted the dates that they displays will be open. Do they come down right after Christmas, right after New Years, or when?
Posted By Chris on December 28, 2008, 9:27 PM
My sister and I went the weekend before Christmas. The windows were a huge disapointment as compared to previous years. We did love the window at Cartier on 5th Avenue (the different pieces of jewelry popping up). The tree was beautiful, the shows were great and so was everything else. It is a magical time of year in New York City; we love it.
Posted By Kathryn Garrett on December 31, 2008, 10:03 PM