I should have been posting these throughout the month but I got lazy. Here’s a whole pack of holiday images from New York.
It’s so easy to embrace Christmas in the city. There really are chestnuts roasting on an open fire! Turn a corner and you’re hit with the scent of pine from trees and wreaths beings sold on the sidewalks (seven foot trees are +/- $70). The big tree at 30 Rock and the big star over 5th Avenue. The Cartier building wrapped like a pretty package. ALL the windows are dressed; not just the ones at Lord & Taylor. A lot of people (most?) think it’s overkill and that it starts too early, but not me. I love it.
We still have these Salvation Army guys. This one was standing right in the middle of Times Square chaos playing Christmas carols on a baritone horn. You wouldn’t expect to hear such a soft, warm sound rise above the cacophony. Comfort and joy!
Macy’s: It’s not just for Thanksgiving parades.
NOT a shopping mall Santa.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
Nothing says Feliz Navidad like a festive holiday street meat cart.
If you’re coming to town and want to ice skate, forget Rockefeller Center. Get down to Battery Park. [Edit: This is Bryant Park. Not Battery Park. Some expert I turned out to be! THANKS, Sasho!] The rink there is larger, generally not a s crowded and the park is lined with stores selling fun holiday gifts. There’s also a cool little restaurant/bar (the structure on the left side of the pic). I took Miss Daisyfae there and we had a fine time. That’s the big public library behind the tree.
Streetlamps dressed with red bows and the Chrysler Building.
The Rockettes as ornaments. Step! Kick!
Truer words were never spoken.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!
Exile on Pain Street 
As always, nobody shows it and tells it better… you should be made an official NYC Ambassador, if there was such a thing.the tree is amazing lit up… i still think i could have gotten it lit a day early if you’d just created a diversion on the ice rink…
I’d love to see NYC at Christmas one day. Love all the photos, UB – thanks!Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Daisy: Hey, waitaminute. I thought I already *was* the Ambassador of New York?! Do you mean this is a paid position?Poita: Thanks. Best holiday wished to you, too. You want to see NYC at Christmastime and I want to see London. The world is filled with want!
I’ve only ever gone to the ice rink twice in my life. All I remember from that experience is that my boots gave me blisters.
You love your New York. Good for you. Lovely pictures. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Sid: Well, you’ve been on ice skates two more times than I have. And I grew up in a winter climate!TB: It’s true. I love this crazy town. But sometimes she doesn’t love me back so much. But then we make up. It’s like a marriage.
LOVE the festive Street Meat Cart!!! lololThe city looks so beautiful, I agree. I was just driving down 5th Avenue today–dusk is especially magical.Merry Christmas!
So cool! Our Salvation Army guys don’t play instruments, they just shuffle from foot to foot, trying to keep warm!Merry Christmas!Pearl
I am starting to think in hours, rather than days!Happy Christmas to you and your family, UB. And everyone. Waves to commenters
I really enjoyed that – thank you.Whatever you celebrate at this time of year have a happy one.
Forgot to say the Sally Army is one of our favourite charities.
That meat cart rocks. And the whole city looks gorgeous, a total embrace of the season. Thank goodness for fairy lights. Have a splendid Christmas with your girls and Mrs Wife, X
Leah: Watching the evening light spread across 5th Avenue is a real treat. I’m always glad to see you stop by. Have a good holiday.Pearl: Thanks and best holiday wished to you. Every time I see that area of the country buried in snow I think of you.MIT: All good wishes for a safe and speedy trip. Bring lots of cash.Pat: I’ve loved your winter pics. Wish we had some snow out here!Eryl: You really can’t escape it out here. Long ago, I decided to embrace it instead of hate it. It could have gone either way!
Merry Christmas to you and mrs wife and the lovely daughters!there’s a special message for YOU on at my place…oh yeah, it’s in response to your comment! *snickering* xoxoxo
Happy Chrimbo to you and yours there UB, i won’t be heading to Cleveland but if you do i’m sure you’ll help support some of the more upstanding local taverns. cheers.
Wow. Once and future New Yorker here–not unbearably banished though. I didn’t even know Battery Park had a rink, but I haven’t lived in NYC in years. Your skating photo made me think it was Bryant Park and the building behind it looks like the 42nd street main library. You can take the grrl out of NYC, but blahdee blah, etc. (I’ve come to you via Daisy Fae after lurking quietly on her blog for years.)
Hi Sasho. I am so very wrong and so sorry! It *is* Bryant Park! Don’t know where my head was when I did this post. Thanks for the correction.
@sasho – merry christmas! feel free to de-lurk over in the trailer park!
Love the Macy’s lights…. hope it was a very merry xmas for you and the family UB xxx
I’m very happy you shared these photos. I get a peak into Christmas celebrations from the other side of the world in a city I’d visited over a decade ago!Merry Christmas!