Trees the Season

(From left to right: South Street Seaport, Bryant Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Botanical Garden, Rockefeller Center)

With just near every New Yorker dashing throughout the city on last minute gift-runs, why not take a moment to take in the greenery of the Season. All throughout the City, many magnificent trees will be shining through the Holiday season, leaving us all with a little extra cheer.

South Street Seaport: Nicknamed the “Seaport Chorus Tree,” this 50 foot Douglas fir has the Big Apple Chorus performing in front throughout the season.

Bryant Park: Truly Canadian, this tree was shipped from Quebec and decorated by a designer from Toronto.

Metropolitan Museum of Art: This 20 foot Spruce is adorned with 18th century Neapolitan angels and hundreds of crèche figures.

American Museum of Natural History: Themed “Fold the Museum”, over 500 origami animals were created by volunteers to cover this tree.

Botanical Garden: Enjoy the elaborate train show and gingerbread displays that surround this 26 foot Fraser fir.

Rockefeller Center: The granddaddy of them all, this tree lighting in November marks the unofficial start of the winter holidays.

Topsy Turny

Don’t miss it! The second annual Major League Dreidel Competition will once again take place at Fontana’s on Eldridge Street. Come one, come all, as competitors will go for gelt as they spin the dreidel. Shmaltz Brewing Company will also be on site in case you prefer a different type of spinning sensation.

In case you need a brush up on your spinning technique, let’s revisit the official rules of Spinology:

1. The release: When a spinner winds and discharges the dreidel from their fingers.
2. The orbit: When the dreidel is spinning at its peak speed, tightness and control. A good spinner will have an orbit of 6 seconds, a true master over 8. The orbit is the most crucial phase of a spin, demonstrating the spinner’s true dreidel dexterity.
3. The wobbles: The conclusion of a dreidel’s orbit, when the dreidel loses speed, tightness and control.
4. The finish: The conclusion of a dreidel’s wobble, when the dreidel comes to a complete rest on its side, inside the Spin Zone.

Let It Snow...

With only one week until ChristmaHanuZwanzaka, New Yorker's today welcomed their first snowfall of the holiday season. While it wasn't quite enough to make a snowman, we still relished in the thought of a white Christmas.

Let There Be Light

Today marks the official lighting of Rockefeller Center's most beloved resident. Before the actual lighting of the tree, stars Beyonce and The Jonas Brothers will also be lighting up the stage with live performances. The 30,000 solar-powered LED lights will be shining every night from 5:30pm til 11:30pm through January 9th.