New York turns into festive look ahead of Christmas

Christmas is the most wonderful time in New York which wears a brand new festive look. The transformation of the city begins around Thanksgiving and by Christmas it is magical all around.

During the season, beautifully lighted Christmas trees can be seen everywhere in Big Apple and the Rockefeller Center attracts New Yorkers and tourists from different cultures and backgrounds in thousands.

This year it’s no exception. The 21.9 meter tall Norway spruce decorated with 50,000 LED lights alongside 2.7 meter new Swarovski Star designed by famous architect Daniel Libeskind at the Rockefeller Center is a symbol of holidays. The Tree overlooking ice skaters on the ring has been transported from the home of Shirley Figueroa and Lissette Gutierrez of Wallkill in the upstate New York.

Shirley who once lived in Bronx and Lissette who once lived in Brooklyn before moving to upstate after retirement donated the 2018 Tree which they hope represents ‘unity and happiness’.

People from different states and from different countries come to New York to enjoy the Christmas lighting and festivity amidst snow.

“I heard so many things about Rockefeller Christmas lighting. Last couple of years I was planning to visit New York, but couldn’t. This year my whole family decided to come and now we are here. It’s just beautiful” said Barbara Mandrel who came all the way from Jackson Mississippi.

Besides the lighting, the skating ring is also a big attraction during the Christmas and there is always a queue as the authorities allows on 150 people on the ice at one time.

“The lighting is so beautiful. Colors are everywhere. People are enjoying the cold and the ice skating is really full of thrill,” said New Yorker Margaret standing in the queue for more than 30 minutes for a chance to skate.

Shopping is fun in New York during the Christmas. Latest designs and fashion adorn the windows of the decorated stores and a stroll along the 5th Avenue is exciting. Most of the world class retailers including Macy’s and Barney’s also attract their customers with lucrative discounts during the season.