How'd They do That? The Broadway Science Behind the Magic of the Legendary Macy's Holiday Window Displays

"Year after year, Macy's Herald Square outdoes themselves with their famous holiday window decorations. Playbill takes a sneak peek behind the magic, to see how Macy's puts together this massive operation. And this year, they got a little help from Broadway to bring the festivity to another level" (Playbill.com).

#6 Oh Tannenbaum Con (12/24/10)

Inspired by Time Out Magazine's "Your Best Holiday Ever" feature this week: http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/585303/holidays-in-nyc?cmpid=TONY121610

Brooklyn Borough Hall Tree: This tree is strung with 2,500 multicolored bulbs and placed in front of the 162-year-old Greek Revival Borough Hall.

Downtown Brooklyn

more Downtown Brooklyn

South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport Tree

I had to try one... "Old Red Nose Ale" from Heartland Brewery

"Oh Buttonwood Tree, Oh Buttonwood Tree" (The Wall Street Christmas Tree)

Madison Square Park: In the lower left hand corner you see a square of white lights. That is Jim Campbell’s art installation "Scattered Light," a mesmerizing scrim of hanging bulbs illuminated across the path leading to the tree.

Madison Square Park Holiday Tree, a 25-foot-tall Fraser fir and the first community Christmas tree in America, it was first lit in 1912.

Macy's, Inspired by the famous “Is There a Santa Claus?” editorial in which a little girl named Virginia O’Hanlon questions the existence of St. Nick. It was theater in each of the windows.

A "Snowcap" and the Bryant Park Christmas Tree

Me and Nikki having a beverage at Bryant Park and enjoying the ice skaters.

Lord & Taylor
“Share the Joy” theme was inspired by customers, who traditionally mail in letters describing how meaningful the holidays are to them. This year, the store decided to turn those tales into window displays. In one 1970s scene, three figures dance under a disco ball.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: This year’s a 12-ton, 74-foot Norway spruce—from an NYC firefighter’s yard in Putnam County.

Snowflake Spectacular at Saks: Gigantic snowflakes inspired by Wilson Bentley (one of the first known photographers of snowflakes)’s photographs glisten ten stories high on the Saks facade, while a modern version of “Carol of the Bells” reverberates down the street.

Saks Fifth Avenue
Windows: “Bubbles and snowflakes"

As I continued to stroll up 5th Avenue, I admired Cartier

and Fendi

and Tommy Hilfiger

Henri Bendel collaborated with the New York City Ballet & George Balanchine’s the Nutcracker.

5th Avenue Star

East 57th Street

Bergdorf Goodman (my favorite for the night's windows) created the travel-inspired motif “Wish You Were Here,” influenced by Judy Garland films (look for nods to "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "The Harvey Girls") and the work of Salvador Dalí.

Barneys New York
 partnered with the Food Network, Cooking Channel and illy caffè for the theme of “Have a Foodie Holiday.”

Park Avenue Trees: Illuminated with simple white and gold lights, these 104 Douglas firs are lit in remembrance of fallen American soldiers. The tradition began 65 years ago, to honor those who gave their lives during World War II. Park Ave between 54th and 96th Sts.

#5 Foods of New York: Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District Tour (12/23/10)

I got to switch roles and took Foods of New York's (http://foodsofny.com/) tour of Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District with Curt. It was great fun to be the tourist for the day.

Festive "Winter White Spice Cake" cupcakes at Eleni's Bakery, Chelsea Market (http://elenis.com/)

Kerrianne and Curt at The Lobster Place, Chelsea Market (http://lobsterplace.com/)

Hypnotized lobster

Me and Kerrianne eating Garganelli with oxtail ragu at Macelleria (http://www.macelleriarestaurant.com/)

#4 Broadway Groupies (10/29/10)

Our friend Justin Sargent is the swing for "Drew" and "Franz" in Rock of Ages on Broadway! We went to see him as "Franz" and got to go backstage on Friday, October 29th.

Something on the rocks, before we go rock

Nikki and me

Mini Let My People Come reunion: Taylor, me, Justin, and Nikki

So, this is what it looks like on this side...

I want to live here!

Taylor and me

Ghost Lamp

Joey Tarantino (Drew) and Justin Matthew Sargent (Drew/ Franz)

I don' wanna leave

You can't make me!

ROCK OF AGES Sizzle Reel!

#3 Tombs, Shacks, and "a weekend in the Country" (10/19/10)

Part 1: Ashley (from Adventure #2) got us into The King Tut Museum

King Tut

Me and Taylor

Each of these necklaces cost $8,750 (no joke)

Part 2: Dinner at Shake Shack Midtown

Taylor's Dinner: Shack Burger, Fries, and we split a "Pretzel! The Concrete" and a "Great White Way" (we had to try them both)

I got the same (I'll diet tomorrow)

Part 3: We saw Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch in A Little Night Music on Broadway, and confirmed that I am very much not over my love of Bernadette Peters! It was AMAZING, even from the balcony. We went to the stage door after the show, I was too giddy to take pictures. Below is a little taste of the brilliance.