NYC Holiday Windows 2020

We usually go into Manhattan on Black Friday, and this year we wanted to check out the NYC holiday windows 2020. We haven’t been in Manhattan since early March, just before the lock-downs started. So we weren’t sure what to expect. This is the first of 2 posts about NYC observations – this one of course, holiday windows. Here’s a good NYT piece about the history of NYC holiday windows, and this year’s theme.

Bloomingdale’s

This gold emoji in the Bloomingdale’s window turned like disco ball – NYC holiday windows 2020. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan
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Easter Bonnet Parade NYC

A few years ago we were wandering around New York City…on Easter. We didn’t end up at the Easter Bonnet Parade on purpose. We just happened upon it. But it was fun. People wear crazy hats and costumes. Some carried live bunnies. It wasn’t an organized parade, just a bunch of people in costumes (mostly spring/Easter themed hats) walking around and posing for photos.

This year it’s Sunday, April 1 from 10-4. It’s from 49th Street to 55th Street, on Fifth Avenue.

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2017 NYC Holiday Window

Our annual NYC holiday windows post! Enjoy.

Bloomingdale’s 2017 holiday windows

Bloomingdale’s NYC holiday windows holiday windows are inspired by the Greatest Showman, the new movie coming out about PT Barnum. You’ll find circus performers galore, and some windows with magical elements. You’ll also find a fortune teller, where you can get your own fortune. Here are Bloomingdale’s holiday windows from 2016.

Bloomingdales’ 2017 Holiday window

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Touring the Manischewitz Factory Part 2

This is part two in our post about the Manischewitz factory tour. Part one is a tour of the Manischewitz matzah production.

Manischewitz factory matzah line
The beginning of the matzah journey at the Manischewitz factory. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

**UPDATE – it appears this Manischewitz Newark factory is closing. We’ll update the post if we get additional tour information.**

The Manischewitz factory has four main production lines: Continue reading “Touring the Manischewitz Factory Part 2”

Touring the Manischewitz Factory – Part 1

If you grew up in the New Jersey area, you may have taken an Manischewitz factory tour through religious school, in Jersey City. That factory closed, and the new global headquarters and manufacturing plant is now in Newark. It opened in the fall 2016, and you can book group tours there. I love factory tours, and even more so when it’s the actual factory, and not a fake one (I’m talking to you, Hershey’s).

**UPDATE – it appears this Manischewitz Newark factory is closing. We’ll update the post if we get additional tour information.**

The Manischewitz lobby has memorabilia and oversized posters of their labels. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

In this tour, you walk through a lot of the 186,000 square feet of the factory. What you’ll see being produced depends on the day, as they make more than 400 products. Continue reading “Touring the Manischewitz Factory – Part 1”

Help the Community FoodBank of New Jersey

It’s that time of the year when we stuff ourselves silly and buy to excess. You’re probably already doing things to help those less fortunate. But I wanted to share our experience with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ).

Photo courtesy of the USDA/Flickr.
The food loading area at the CFBNJ. Photo courtesy of the USDA/Flickr.

I brought my kids to the CFBNJ when my college alumni group organized a volunteer session this month. It was a really interesting experience. Here’s what we learned. Continue reading “Help the Community FoodBank of New Jersey”

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows 2016

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the holiday windows, what are you waiting for? Here are some of my pix from Saks Fifth Avenue. Though I didn’t go at night, they have a lovely light display on the building, above this candy entrance.

Saks Fifth Avenue front holiday entrance
The front entrance of Saks Fifth Avenue. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Their theme this year is Land of 1,000 Delights. It’s a fun pairing of sweets and some awesome clothing. Continue reading “Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows 2016”

Macy’s Holiday Windows 2015

This year, the Macy’s Holiday Windows feature the Peanuts gang. They tell the classic Peanuts Christmas story, with characters that move. Sometimes it’s their heads, sometimes the clouds float from the bottom to the top, and sometimes they cross from one side of the window to the other. You can also hear them narrating what’s written on the window. It’s kind of sad, but ultimately happy. And it’s ironic to see Charlie Brown lamenting Christmas being this big commercial thing – in the windows of the massive Macy’s store. See the 2015 Lord & Taylor windows here.

Macy's Peanuts windows in their 2015 display. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan
Macy’s Peanuts windows in their 2015 display. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

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