It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: The Most Beautiful Christmas Tree in New York City

 

The Christmas tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

I have two "must-dos" in New York at this time of the year. One is a visit to Rockefeller Center, which is still on my to-do list this year. My other must is a visit to the Metropolitan Museum and a visit to this beautiful tree and the magnificent figures surrounding it. The creche figures are Eighteenth Century depictions of life in Naples at the time they were created. 

The Holy Family surrounded by townspeople and angels 

Every other year I've made my visit to see the tree it's in a different area of the museum and surrounded by medieval statuary. The lights are dim and the scene is almost otherworldly. 

The 2019 setting for the tree

I miss the previous setting, but so grateful that the museum is open and I can continue my annual tradition of enjoying the tree. Last year there were many visitors to the tree, but this year (and at 11:00 a.m. on a Monday morning) there were no more than a dozen people in the vast room where the tree is located. 

At the far end of the Sculpture Court where the tree is residing this year is a snow covered Central Park and this historic obelisk. 

Tomorrow we're doing a cooking/baking day and I can't begin to tell you the thrill it gives me to be able to write this. We'll feature a video about making cocoa bombs and the recipe for an amazing French gingerbread. As a taste of holiday baking and cooking I'm including a link to a recipe for chocolate peppermint cookies, created by Bill Telepan, the Museum's Chef and Culinary Director.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Wishes for cozy days!

O Christmas Tree

Perhaps the most beautiful Christmas tree in New York City,

 and perhaps the most beautiful Christmas tree anywhere.

I have my favorite places to visit during this season and I'm especially happy when I can share it with someone who hasn't seen it before. I had that treat on Friday night. My friend Becky and her daughter, Lindsey, were here from Mississippi and I got to suggest our plans. They had already visited Rockefeller Center to see the most beautiful outdoor tree in New York City and joined me for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

The Neapolitan Baroque Creche dates from the Eighteenth Century

It's so worth a trip to the museum and will be on display until January 6, 2020. We didn't get to see it while Christmas music was playing, but it was still a wonderful visit.  

I'm always concerned about crowds this time of year and I was worried last Friday night before out visit. A neighbor told me that one day during Christmas week last year she stood in line for forty-five minutes just to get inside the museum. But our experience may have been a once in a lifetime visit. For the most part we had the museum all to ourselves. No one blocked our view at the Christmas tree or in the usually very crowded Impressionist rooms. There was even a seat at the cafe in the gift shop. 

A moment with Henri Matisse

My favorite Degas dancer and her friends on canvas

I didn't buy anything in the gift shop, but I got these sweet unicorns

 to pose for me for Magic Monday. 

I didn't quite make it to the post office today, but I've now got two packages wrapped and ready to mail, so it's on my schedule for tomorrow. I'm making headway on both cards and decluttering and I'm keeping the shredder busy. I still can't find two things I bought in Scotland in May and carefully put away. I put them away so carefully that they may not be found in time for Christmas. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy!

Angels We Have Heard on High

The Neapolitan Creche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

From time to time I worry that the holiday posts are repetitive. I visit many of the same places every year. But then I remember that it wouldn't be Christmas in New York without the windows on Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and what may be the most beautiful sight in all of New York City at this time of year, the Christmas tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche at the Metropolitan Museum.

 

Yesterday I spent the day at the museum with one of my favorite museum going friends, Nancy. The majority of our visit was primarily split between a vast and wonderfully assembled exhibition of the French artist, Delacroix and a wonderful afternoon of catching up in one of the restaurants at the museum. But our first stop was at the Christmas tree and creche. 

 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas tree

 

This annual tradition began in 1957. The link above gives an outstanding description of the history of the collection and the history of Neapolitan nativity scenes. I had thought that the figures put in the same places in the display every year, but learned that they vary from year to year. Perhaps my favorite part of the display are the large angels that are placed on the tree. Each one is exquisite.

 

I may not make a return visit to Rockefeller Center -- particularly if it turns much colder -- but I am pretty sure I will find an evening to return to the museum and see the tree's lights and hear the music playing in the background.

 

What are your favorite traditions at this time of year? Are there local sights that are "must-sees" on your calendar?

 

I spent most of today at my pre-op appointment for next month's hip replacement. After it was over I realized I had a lot more anxiety than I was aware of. I've got three weeks before the surgery and now I'm going to move it to the back of my mind and enjoy the good times of the season. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Keep cozy!

 

Around the (Neapolitan) Christmas Tree Giveaway

From time to time I worry that I am a blogging repeater, and no more so than at Christmas. There are sights and places in New York that I enjoy visiting every year and I so enjoy writing about them, too. I know that's called having traditions, but I am concerned that long-time blog visitors will shake their heads and think, "There she goes with the Metropolitan Museum or Macy's or Rockefeller Center again, and again and again." In an effort to put this concern aside I looked at my posts about the Metropolitan Museum Christmas tree and realized I'd only written about it a few times. So fresh from my annual visit yesterday, one of the most beautifully decorated Christmas trees anywhere.

The magnificent tree stands in the center of the gallery of Medieval sculpture. It's a beautiful and serene space all year, but it glows in this season. The crèche surrounding the tree was created in Naples in the Eighteenth Century. Below are photographs with details of the crèche.

 

 

The tree is decorated with tiny lights and fifty large and magnificent angels.

 

This beautiful angel presents information about the crèche.

 

It's difficult to choose my favorite place in New York this season, but the Metropolitan Museum is definitely in my top three. I am sure that I will make at least one more visit during the season and will be sad to see the tree and its decorations retired after Christmas. 

 

 

First giveaway of the season! 

 

 

Since all of you can't join me in New York this season -- wouldn't that be a wonderful time! -- I'm sharing a little New York with Buttercupland. I'm planning three giveaways in December -- anyone a minion fan? -- and my first is this fan ornament from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Please leave a comment about a favorite activity at this time of year, be a friend of Buttercupland on Google Friend or Google+ or Bloglovin. Please leave your comment by Friday, December 11 at 11:59 and I will announce a name on Saturday, December 12. Easy, peasy December fun. This picture doesn't do justice the color and design of this ornament. 

 

We've got another beautiful late autumn day in New York. Warm enough for just a jacket and no gloves and a bright, bright sky. I hope the day is bright and blessed where you are, too.   

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!