Manhattan Lights
Christmas to me — blame my childhood — isn’t officially here until I hear Nat King Cole sing Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Now, as an adult, I am forging new memories: Visiting New York City for the past two years to take in all of the Christmas lights and, most recently, volunteering at the local Ronald McDonald House in Hershey.

Manhattan Lights

Since my daughter moved to the city almost three years ago, I’ve enjoyed visiting the smashingly brilliant holiday windows. Bergdorf Goodman, with its rich history in window dressing (for 126 years running), always takes the cake.

Wearing: Vince Camuto faux fur black cape, J. Crew Dolman Sleeve double-serge wool dress, Cole Haan Marina Over-the-Knee black suede boots, Portolano classic silk-lined leather gloves and 2 Chic Designs calf-hair foldpver clutch.

New York City’s Christmas holiday window displays are so spectacular that unveiling ceremonies are devoted to the exhibits. My ultimate luxury store, Bergdorf Goodman, unveiled its Christmas spectacular, ‘Brilliant,’ on November 17th.

Bergdorf Goodman partnered with Swarovski to provide a marvelous array of glitz and glitter for every window. Together, My daughter, PR gal Kamille, BFF, and I braved the windy cold and the crowds to see the #BGwindows. My favorite Bergdorf windows were the pearlized life-size King Neptune and outrageously vibrant “birthday party” devoted to Swarovski’s 120th anniversary.

I always look forward to Tiffany and Co’s display. We didn’t make over to see Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, or the tree in Rockefeller Center this time, but there’s always next year.

2015 Bergdorf Goodman 'Brilliant' "The Treasure Chest" window features a sculpture of Neptune, and pearls reign in his world under the sea. Image credit: Ricky Zehavi
2015 Bergdorf Goodman ‘Brilliant’ “The Treasure Chest” window features a sculpture of Neptune, and pearls reign in his world under the sea. Image credit: Ricky Zehavi
2015 Bergdorf Goodman Brilliant, The Birthday Party Christmas window display. This window celebrates Swarovski's 120th anniversary.
2015 Bergdorf Goodman Brilliant, The Birthday Party Christmas window display. This window celebrates Swarovski’s 120th anniversary. Image credit:  Ricky Zehavi
My personal snapshot of the Bergdorf Goodman Holiday window, The Birthday Party celebrating Swarovski's 120 anniversary.
This window is so divine that it’s worth repeating. This is my snapshot of the Bergdorf Goodman Holiday window, The Birthday Party celebrating Swarovski’s 120 anniversary.
Tiffany and Co. with their beloved blue boxes to the next level with a window display by miniature theaters of the 19th century.
Tiffany and Co. took their beloved blue boxes to the next level with a window display by miniature theaters of the 19th century. They credited Ricky Zehavi.

However, as my BFF and I rode away from the bright lights in a cab headed to Penn Station, the driver was friendly enough to stop the cab so I could get a view amidst the crowds.

The ultimate Manhattan lights, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
The ultimate Manhattan lights, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
The ultimate Manhattan lights, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree from the cab.
The ultimate Manhattan lights, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree from the cab.

Wouldn’t you agree that we all feel better when we help others? My AstraZeneca team members decided to provide community service this year instead of having our annual Christmas celebration. We opted to bake treats for the local Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. It was a great way to engage in the true spirit of Christmas.

The AstraZeneca Harrisburg Team at the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey, Pennsylvania
The AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Harrisburg Team at the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey, Pennsylvania

December is truly the most beautiful time of the year! It is a great time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and a perfect time to escape from the sadness that exists in the world. I hope you have a merry and bright Christmas.

Merry ChristmasSiggy