I am not ready for the holidays quite yet. Our Halloween costumes are in a heap on the floor next to the washing machine and we're still making our way through the candy in our treat bags. I mean, it's only November 6 after all. And what about poor Thanksgiving who always seems to get overlooked as Christmas creeps in earlier and earlier each year?
I may not be ready to deck the halls, but I know that there are those of you that already have your holiday cards addressed and are halfway through your shopping list. For those folks who like to get an early start on their holiday season, I have a great family event to tell you about.
Tomorrow is the Lighting of the Great Tree in the Walnut Room at Macy's on State Street. The tree lighting takes place at noon on Saturday, November 7. Guests can marvel at the 45-foot tree decorated with over 1,200 ornaments and 25,000 lights.
When I was a kid growing up in Chicago, a trip down to Marshall Fields to visit Santa, ooh and ahh over the window displays, and have lunch in the Walnut Room was a big deal that I looked forward to every year. I suspect that many other Chicagoans share similar memories.
So even though this tree lighting seems a tad bit early to me, I think that this is a Chicago tradition worth passing down to your kiddos (yes, even though it is Macy's and not Marshall Fields). As seen through little eyes, a 45-foot tree is still totally spectacular and awe-inspiring -- that part is still the same no matter what the store is called.
Filed under: Christmas, holiday events
Tags: Chicago, holiday events, Lighting of the Great Tree at Macy's, Walnut Room
Yay! I love Christmas. In fact, my family put our tree up 2 days ago. And I've been listening to Christmas music nonstop since October. It's never too early to celebrate!
Wow, that's early! I like to hold off on the decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. And then when Dec. 26th rolls around, I want them all down and put away again.
And starting tomorrow, Sat 11/7, FieldsFansChicago.org will be out again under the Marshall Field's State and Washington clock for the holiday season distributing "I Want My Marshall Field's" buttons and bookmark leaflets reminding Macy's of what more than 73% of Chicago shoppers want: Marshall Field's!
Stop by, get a free bookmark-leaflet and get a free "I Want My Marshall Field's" button to wear. If you go into the store, be sure to leave a letter to Santa in the Make-A-Wish / Macy's "Believe" mailbox that you want the return of Marshall Field's.
Macy's turns those letters over to the Make A Wish Foundation. Noone there reads them. Geez!
I'd convert to Islam before ever taking my kids into that horrible Macy's. The Chicago Christmas Tree in Daley Plaza will be beautiful and the Christmas mart is always nice as well. The Christmas display at the Museum of Science and Industry is another nice Chicago tradition that hasn't been ruined by some outside usurper. It was always so nice to visit the historic Great Tree at Marshall Field's every Christmas. Macy's has just ruined the whole experience. They just killed it all, the store, the tree, the name, the quality, the traditions, everything -- and all so, so unnecessarily. Santa will be getting a letter in that "believe mailbox" from us this Christmas -- "Bring Back Marshall Field's!"
The MACY'S Great Tree in MACY'S Walnut Room is absolutely beautiful!! Way to go and thanks MACY'S!
Just saw that Lincoln Park Zoolights are up! YAY!! Love the holidays.. look at all the great Thanksgiving and Holiday ideas here
http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/index.html Great Thanksgiving family games like Turkey Tunes, Turkey Trivia and Turkey Bingo.. all free. Also great Holiday ideas for family celebrations. Happy Holidays
The most famous quote of the season!
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." - Joseph Goebbels (Adolf Hitler's Minister of Propaganda)
I would be remiss not to mention Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy's, and his Board of Directors, PR people, etc. who have so wholeheartedly embraced and put into practice the wisdom of the late, great Mr. Goebbels. It is commendable that he and they recognize the historical significance and contribution of just such an ideology, though they have sought to erase the memory of Marshall Field and Co. altogether. Perhaps Mr. Lundgren and those of his closest advisors will go down in history with as much honor, loyalty, and admiration as their predecessor enjoyed.
Happy Hannukah, everybody!