A New York City Christmas Card From Madge
UPDATE: It’s 2020 and with Covid, we are all stuck at home. Here’s a fond look back at our 2016 Christmas card from New York City, including windows from the late and lamented Lord & Taylor.
Madge got a last-minute opportunity to join gal pal Mary in New York City. You may remember her from an earlier madcap adventure to Chanute, Kansas. Mary’s husband couldn’t make the trip so Madge got to be the plus one. Any opportunity to visit Madge’s favorite city is an adventure not to be missed. And at Christmas with Mary, well that’s a wonderful bonus.
In an earlier post Madge bemoaned the loss of that great American invention, the department store. But in the Big Apple stores like Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s still shine, especially at Christmas.
Macy’s, the big kahuna of NYC celebrated the season twice with windows on one side of Herald Square featuring a Peanuts Christmas and on the other, Virginia O’Hanlon, who wrote the famous letter to the New York Sun in 1897 asking if there truly was a Santa Claus. The main entrance welcomed shoppers with both Snoopy and Virginia.
In this window Charlie Brown and Linus are debating his newly purchased Christmas tree as it falls over from the weight of a single ornament.
While next door – Snoopy fights the Red Baron
Just inside the main entrance was a beautiful woodland display with animatronic squirrels and a wise old owl.
Lord & Taylor started their festivities with a spectacular sidewalk arbor of lights. Leading to Christmas goodies in both edible and wearable varieties.
The highlight of their windows was an enormous white Cuckoo Clock.
An enormous gingerbread house with a luscious pastry selection next door.
Next up was Bloomingdales. The windows at Bloomingdales were a beautiful combination of flowers, bells, and mirrored animals. Here’s a nodding French Bulldog made of gold mirrors.
This buck surrounded by red roses just took Madge’s breath away. If you look closely you can see that his horns are made of Christmas bells.
Who doesn’t like a red bear with a lollipop?
By the way, Bloomies does sell clothes . . .
The incredible display by Saks Fifth Avenue, Winter Palace, was a mind-bending combination of futuristic fashion and iconic wonders of the world.
Of course, a Madge NYC Christmas card wouldn’t be complete without Rockefeller Center.
Madge leaves you, dear readers, with a video of the Saks window launch. Madge and Mary delighted in this LED light show on the facade.
Photos copyright © 2025 Madge’s Hatbox Vintage. Join our Facebook group, Mad About Vintage, for weekly specials.