Christmas Greetings

Christmas Tree Detail, Daley Plaza, Chicago, IL

Wishing you all the magic of the season:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Carolers at Christkindlmarket, Chicago, IL

Seasonal Miscellany

Block Thirty-Seven Mall, Chicago, IL

I like Christmas for all of its colorful decorations.  As I spent time in my hometown last week, I couldn't resist snapping some shots of the Christmas decor featured at a few of the downtown malls.  Like I said, I thought the Christmas decor this year was a little muted, but there were some things that stood out. Above and below, at Block Thirty-Seven, these illuminated stars provided an entire light show featuring a spectrum of colors.  Their festive cycle is included here.

Block Thirty-Seven actually has an aesthetically pleasing interior.  It's just a shame that so much of the retail space remains unoccupied.   The mall is the result of a long, multi-year debate over how to make use of the empty lot where Block Thirty-Seven Mall now stands.  Other ideas that were floated about included a park and just keeping Skate-on-State and the artists' show at this location.  Don't get me wrong, this is a nice mall that already offers some good retail to shoppers, but it's kind of a let-down to see this mall still largely empty after it's been open for a couple of years.

Water Tower Place, Chicago, IL

What would Christmas in Chicago be if I hadn't made at least one trip to Water Tower Place?  I really liked these christmas trees, but, in general, I think I just missed seeing the typical enormous Christmas trees that traditionally served as centerpieces at the different downtown malls.  I didn't see one at the State Street location of Marshall Field, and I remember that as being an annual tradition. Bloomingdale's had a magnificent large Christmas tree, a photo of which I have already posted on here.

For all of you Disney lovers out there.

Nordstrom Mall, Chicago, IL

A cascade of baubles.

A glitz and glamour wreath.

The Christmas Tree Post

As I have already mentioned, the Christmas season is one of the times of year, along with autumn, when I miss my hometown of Chicago the most.  I love the lights and decorations that come with Christmas, providing color, warmth, and illumination to an otherwise dark period of the year.  I also love the snow.  I wish I had been more deliberate in pursuing this theme when I was visiting Chicago, as there were many specimens to choose from, but I hope these suffice to give you, dear blog follower, an idea of the beauty found in Chicago during the Christmas season.  Above is a Christmas tree found in the lobby atrium of the Sears Tower.  Outside, the snow swirls and whips about in the wind.  By the way, I used this visit to resume my search for Willis Tower, but with no luck.

Above, a Christmas tree found on the second floor of the Milwaukee Public Market (the only non-Chicago specimen included here), sporting a patriotic theme.

Above, a wholesome, country-inspired Christmas tree, situated in a bank parking lot, of all places, across the street from The Lucky Horseshoe Lounge.

Above, gracing the park of the historic Water Tower.

A profusion of color and light in Daley Plaza, on display during the annual Christkindlmarket festival.

Above, a grand, multi-storied finale on the second floor of the Bloomingdale's mall on Michigan Avenue.  I must confess that I found the Christmas decorations in Chicago this year to be somewhat muted, but this particular Christmas tree would stand out on any given year.