Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

What a magical and wondrous time of the year in NYC when everything glitters and glows.  Monday is the last day to snag tickets to our holiday luncheon. NYC’s Holiday windows are unveiled and better than ever. We have some wonderful holiday entertainment suggestions.  Our Long Island reporter introduces us to a woman who is writing her legacy in love and heritage. And our roving photographer loves every season in Central Park, and fall is no exception.

Don’t Miss Out!

Hurry…Monday is the last day to get your tickets to out wonderful holiday luncheon. Join us in a private room at Tony DiNapoli on the UES for an Italian Feast, a jazz trio, singers, and a surprise guest as we ring in the holiday season. GET YOUR TICKETS.

NYC’s Holiday Windows: All that Glitters & Glows

Every winter, New York City transforms into a sparkling stage where fashion, fantasy, and festive cheer collide. From Macy’s legendary Santaland to Saks Fifth Avenue’s dazzling light show (which returns this year after a brief hiatus), the city’s most iconic stores unveil holiday windows that are equal parts art installation and seasonal tradition. Whether you’re strolling down Fifth Avenue or pausing in Times Square, these displays invite you to step into stories of wonder, whimsy, and warmth—reminding us that the holidays are as much about shared spectacle as they are about celebration. Here are a few of the highlights of the best holiday widows:

Saks Fifth Avenue

This year, Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light show has returned in dazzling fashion after last year’s hiatus, transforming its Fifth Avenue facade into a glittering spectacle themed “Holiday Your Way.” Every evening through early January, thousands of LED lights dance in sync to classics like Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and modern hits such as Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

Macys Herald Square

Macy’s Herald Square has unveiled its 2025 holiday windows under the theme “The Most Wonderful Stories Start Here,” celebrating the store’s role in shaping New York’s festive traditions. Each window highlights a historic “first,” from Santa’s arrival in 1861 to the debut of Macy’s holiday windows in 1874 and the inaugural Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924. With interactive cut‑outs, revolving blocks, and lush seasonal décor, the displays invite visitors to step into a living storybook of holiday milestones, blending nostalgia with the sparkle of the present season.

Bergdorf Goodman

They have once again raised the bar for holiday artistry in 2025, unveiling windows that are equal parts theatrical and fantastical. This year’s theme celebrates “The Art of Celebration,” with each window transformed into a jewel box of intricate detail—think gilded masks, shimmering chandeliers, and surreal tableaus that blend fashion with fine art. Known for their year‑long design process, Bergdorf’s displays are less about tradition and more about pure imagination, making them a highlight for those who crave visual storytelling at its most extravagant.

Bloomingdale’s

They have partnered with Burberry for its 2025 holiday windows, bringing the British fashion house’s iconic check and timeless style to life in festive form. The displays feature oversized ornaments, playful snow scenes, and mannequins dressed in Burberry’s signature looks, all framed by twinkling lights. It’s a blend of luxury and whimsy that feels both classic and fresh, reminding visitors that Bloomingdale’s windows are as much about fashion as they are about holiday cheer.

Nordstrom NYC

Photo: Craig Barritt

Nordstrom has turned its 57th Street flagship into a winter playground with “Blizz on 57th Street.” Metallic pink and green trees, giant nutcrackers, and a whimsical Santa House create a family‑friendly atmosphere that’s bold and colorful. The windows lean into fun and accessibility, inviting kids and adults alike to step into a festive fantasy. Nordstrom’s approach is playful and interactive, making it a standout for those seeking holiday joy with a modern twist.

Dec. 6. Lynne Henderson at Don’t Tell Mama

“Her great love for the art of singing comes through beautifully. Lynn delivers the lyric with understanding, honesty and caring.” ~Marilyn Maye

Our beautiful friend and singer, Lynn Henderson, has warmth, humor and wisdom that shines through in every one of her performances. She entertains audiences with her wry observations and memories, and an enthusiasm for music, communication, and living life to its fullest every day. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Lynn’s new show, “The Times of Our Lives.”  Accompanied by her longtime collaborator, Music Director/Director, Douglas Cohen, Lynn will sing music by Harry Nilsson, Amanda McBroom, Charles Aznavour, Tom Toce, Douglas Cohen, Maltby and Shire – just to name a few brilliant writers.

Saturday Dec. 6th at 4PM at Don’t Tell Mama. $20 cover, $20 minimum (must include 2 drinks). CASH ONLY. You can make a reservation here:  www.donttellmamanyc.com

Dec.13. An Inventive Reimagining of Fiddler on the Roof

“Jumping Off The Roof” is Elana Polin’s inventive reimagining of Fiddler on the Roof, focusing on Tzeitel and Motel’s lives in the New World. In this “midrash on Tevye,” Polin shifts the spotlight to the women’s voices, blending music, puppetry, and influences from Wilder, Aleichem, and the Book of Job. The cast includes Polin, seven-year-old Kai Pucher-Parent as “The Child,” and Veronica Carpenter as “The Fiddler,” with pianist Seth Weinstein providing accompaniment and commentary.

Performances run at The Triad Theater (158 W. 72nd St., 2nd Floor) Dec. 13, 14 & 21 at 3:30PM. Tickets are $25 plus $4 fee at TRIADnyc.com. The usual two-drink minimum is waived; drinks and desserts are available à la carte.

The production partners with WSCAH (Westside Campaign Against Hunger), supporting over 100,000 New Yorkers facing food insecurity.

From Retirement to Reinvention

In this month’s Spotlight on Long Island Women, Andrea Peponakis introduces us to Effie Kammenou — a storyteller who proves that retirement isn’t an ending, but a reinvention. From optician to author, Effie has transformed grief into creativity, weaving her Greek heritage and her mother’s memory into novels that honor love, family, and resilience. Her journey reminds us that the most defining chapters often come later in life, written with courage, tradition, and heart. READ MORE. 

Roving in Central Park

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

I cannot decide if I prefer Central Park in the pink Cherry Blossom spring or the autumnal wash of vibrant fall colors. Either way, the park that centers our city, also centers me. With Thanksgiving just behind us and a long winter ahead, I want to preserve these images from the last few weeks as a reminder that change is part of the plan and can lead to the best unknown.

I am grateful for Central Park. It is my backyard refuge and an escape from the cold cement. I look forward to walking through the snow-covered park soon and remembering exactly how the September sun hit a long-gone leaf, kicking off its annual journey back into the earth, beginning the slow slide into winter. You support the park by donating to the Conservancy.

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of the “Long Pause and the Short Breath”