Shiny Seasonal Spirit

This year seems to have taken forever and also gone by super fast. This also applies for our time in NY. As the foliage begins to fade and fall, the holiday decorations have started to appear. Over two days, one freezing and one spring-like, we visited quite a few favorites.

We walked past Columbus Circle and through the beautiful archways outside Marea restaurant on our way to Fifth Ave and on to Rockefeller Center.

Bergdorf Goodman never disappoints with their windows at anytime of year and the winter holiday season is always special. 2020 has been an extraordinarily challenging year and Bergdorf’s theme of goodness is reflected in very shiny words. The reflection is to inspire and to remind us of what is truly important.

On our way to 50th Street, we passed several stores including Tiffany, Cartier and Saks Fifth Avenue. We also stopped to see Atlas who now is appropriately masked.

This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is already referred to as a Charlie Brown tree. The tree looks like it is missing bunches of limbs. Typically, after the tree is placed in front of 30 Rock, it is surrounded by scaffolding while the lights are strung and they prepare for the lighting. This year…that scaffolding has a solid front hiding it from the public. Lots of workers were busy stringing lights, saving an owl and possibly putting additional branches on the tree. The tree lighting takes place on Dec 2 this year. There will be a televised viewing, no public access this year.

Further down Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street is the NYPL. Patience and Fortitude are the lions out front. The wreathes are not around their necks yet, but they are wearing their masks.

Behind the library is Bryant Park. The Bryant Park Grill is a great restaurant that has outdoor seating and was a terrific place to stop for lunch. This time of year, Bryant Park has a great skating rink and a holiday market filled with filled unique shops and several places to eat. There were not too many people making it an extra pleasant time for us.

Six blocks south, the world’s largest department store is Macy’s at Herald Square. Similar to Bergdorf’s, Macy’s holiday windows are a very shiny ‘thank you’ to New York. It is hard to get a flattering photo with all the shiny reflective surfaces, but I tried.

We are getting through 2020 together, with love, support and inspiration. Welcome to the holiday season. Believe and enjoy.