Christmas in New York

So what did I do today on this, my day off? Well, I went into New York to look at the Christmas decorations. Of course I saw the tree at Rockefeller Center, and I also caught the cool window displays in the stores - Macy's featured a window display with scenes from Miracle on 34th Street, and Lord and Taylor featured tableaux depicting a history of the U.S. post office from its colonial beginnings. Also worthy of mention was the laser light show at Grand Central Terminal. I also took the time for a more spiritual affair; I stopped in Saint Patrick's Catherdral and took in a half-hour Mass. Well, Christmas is a religious holiday.

Something really bizarre happened to me at Macy's, though. I walked into the Santaland display, which featured model trains and festive displays of teddy bears - not to mention two trees singing "Jingle Bells" (!) - but when I got to the end, a girl dressed as an elf escorted me to see Santa Claus; it was the only way I could leave. Please note that I'm 39. What was this girl thinking? I just walked by Santa. I really didn't feel the need to have my picture taken with him.

I like Christmas in New York, yes, but I still think Christmas in Philadelphia is better. Not only do they still have the Christmas fountain light show at the store formerly (except to me) known as Wanamaker's, but Strawbridge's has a large diorama display of "A Christmas Carol" (at least I still think they have it). There are also some really gorgeous tree and poinsettia displays at Longwood Gardens in the suburb of Kennett Square and cool Christmas railroad displays at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford. I couldn't make it there this ear, though; hopefully I'll get there next year. :-)