Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? For as long as I can remember,
I’ve enjoyed a pink one.
For starters, my childhood gifts were always wrapped in white paper
with pink ribbons. It was a sort of tradition, I suppose. Instead of
using gift tags our family offerings would always be wrapped in a consistent
style or color of paper. Each year the color or style of wrap would
change for everyone but me. I was the oldest and first to score the
best color combo ever! To this day, whenever I see a package wrapped
in white paper with pink ribbon, I can’t help but smile.
I love remembering those fun childhood days, the December dreams when
everything from the Christmas tree to the outdoor lights just seemed
so magical. Back then it never occurred to me that it was tacky to
have more than one illuminated Santa in your yard or that all of those
bright colored lights contributed to the energy crisis. I just loved
it! The more decorations there were, the better. This was long before
that “less is more” concept came upon my radar.
Although when it comes to holiday light displays, I still think the
more the better. After all, the tree at Rockefeller Center has 30,000
lights on it! The Holidays are just a great time to go all out, to
be extra creative and have fun. I remember one year we put Santa and
Frosty together in the Nativity scene. It just seemed they belonged
there... We didn’t really care about the historical accuracy
of our decorating.
After finishing the spruce-up of our home and yard, we would then drive
around and look at everyone else’s creations. We’d critique ‘em
and steal ideas for next year. That was so fun! I still like critiquing
holiday light presentations. I’m happy to report that I enjoy
some of the same traditions here in the big city as I did growing up
in the country. All of us at fredflare.com take
an annual walk around the neighborhood each year to pick our faves.
I’m pretty excited
because a fire escape on my building is definitely up for 2003’s
grand prize...
I don’t have any lights on my fire escape but I have decorated
my apartment a little bit this year. In my bedroom I’ve placed
a tiny silver tree with pink decorations. It makes me just as happy
as any tree I had growing up! Mom ran the show on the family Christmas
tree but my sister and I also had small artificial trees in our rooms
that could be decorated however we wished. Of course my tree was always
white and always had some sort of pink theme happening.
I often decorated my little tree with Barbie clothes and ornaments
I collected over the year, although I did have a Muppet tree one year
with Miss Piggy as the tree topper. Whatever phase I was into just
seemed to translate into my decorating. The same was true as I grew
older. For years in Chicago I had a vintage silver 1950’s tree
with a color wheel and... more Barbie clothes! I guess some things
never change.
These days, though, it seems like the gap between Christmas and the
rest of the year is getting shorter. Time just moves so fast now! It’s
easy to get overwhelmed with activities, shopping and to-do’s
and forget to take in the little things that make the season special.
Last year I missed a lot of the Holiday happenings in NYC because I
was just too busy. This year I decided to start early.
Luckily my friend Jeff was visiting from Chicago. He would be my holiday
buddy! Jeff was coming to town to try and meet his idol Pat Benatar
at J&R Records so the season would have a sort of jingle bell rock
kick-off. (But it still had a bit of nostalgia to it as well. “Hit
Me with Your Best Shot” was a big baton routine for me growing
up...) Pat sang three songs and totally rocked out! We also got to
meet her and get an autograph. Jeff said it was the best Christmas
present ever!
We spent the rest of the day obsessing about Pat... until she was replaced
with conversation about Boy George. Jeff had also bought us tickets
to see Taboo on Broadway the next day!
Taboo is a new musical about Boy and
Leigh Bowery. It was great! I have a new crush on Boy George
and Culture Club again... Both Pat and Boy have been in my cd player
ever since, along with some fun Holiday music like Christmas
with the Rat Pack.
As my weekend with Jeff came to a close, we took in some serious Holiday
activites! We strolled around Rockefeller Center and enjoyed watching
the ice skaters in Central Park. We drank peppermint hot chocolates
from Starbucks and went to see Elf.
Later we strolled about town admiring the Holiday windows. The city
sparkled and we held each other close,
feeling the Christmas chill. Good thing I had my new coat, an early
gift from my mother. Guess what? It’s pink.
Happy Holidays, everybody! Send me an email at lulu@fredflare.com and
let me know what you are up to this season. Or, if you’re in
NYC, pop on by one of our Saturday
sales and tell me in person! I’m
also on the lookout for some festive light displays. Please let me
know if ya see any real winners. Below you’ll find a list of
some other fun NYC Holiday light presentations. Enjoy!
Broadway Holiday Tree
One December 11th, lots of Broadway stars help light this 25-foot spruce
tree with colorful lights and festive ornaments that represent every
show currently playing On and Off Broadway.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
This is practically the world’s most famous Christmas tree. Chris
and Keith always get a polaroid taken here every year! On view daily
through January 3rd from 5:30am to 11:30pm, all day on Christmas and
from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve. 30 Rockefeller Center
Plaza at 49th St.
Christmas in Little Italy
Little Italy has been transformed into a winter wonderland with tons
o’ Christmas lights and decorations, strolling carolers in costume,
parades and religious processions December 13-15 and December 20-22
from noon to 5 pm. Mulberry Street between Canal and Broome Streets.
Grand Central Holiday Light Show & Fair
Here you’ll find wintry laser projections on the gorgeous constellation-clad
ceiling in the main terminal. The shows are every 30 minutes and accompanied
by holiday music. In between shows you can check out the Holiday Fair
located in Vanderbilt Hall. The light show goes through December 31
while the Holiday Fair runs until December 24. Monday-Saturday 10am – 8pm
and Sunday noon to 6. Grand Central Termina, 42nd St & Park Av
Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights
The zoo lights up over a hundred amazing animal sculptures every night
from December 15 through January 4. Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Parkway
at Fordam Rd, 718-367-1010.
