Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Merry Christmas to all!!

Like most large cities, Toronto's downtown department stores feature Christmas windows. I love the ones that have been at The Bay for the past few years. I just want to climb into the windows and play with the contents as if it was my own doll house. It is not 1/12th scale though. The figures are between 15 and 20 inches high.

The windows tell the story of Christmas Eve, starting at the North Pole where the elves are getting the sleigh ready.


















Time is running out in Santa's workshop. Less than 15 minutes to midnight. Santa has his list all ready to go. I checked - my name is on it.


















In the village everyone is preparing for Christmas Eve. The lamplighter is busy lighting the lamps and the carolers are singing. One little girl is drooling in front of the sweet shop - Visions of sugarplums indeed.

































Father and Mother are putting the final touches on the tree and the mantle. The children tried to stay awake, but have fallen asleep in the parlor, all except one who is peeking out to see what she can see.


































At the end of a long night Santa arrives back at the North Pole where Mrs. Claus has a feast waiting for him. The elves are so excited and happy to have him home and to hear his stories of how his trip went. They have prepared a Welcome Home banner.


















Anyone familiar with the Hudsons Bay Company (established 1670) will recognize the Hudsons Bay coats on the Elves and the Hudsons Bay blankets on the mice sleeping in their Hudsons Bay matchbox beds. Sorry the picture of the mice is so bad. It is the only close up one I have. The mice have their own little house under the floor of the Victorian parlor.

















If you get a chance to visit Toronto over the holidays check out the windows for yourself. The Bay (main store) is in the old Robert Simpson department store building at Queen and Yonge streets. The windows are on Yonge closer to Bay Street.

I wish all my wonderful friends in Blogland a wonderful holiday season and everything good in 2010.

Love & hugs,

Susan

14 comments:

  1. Those windows are beautiful,I like the scale, thank you for sharing it! All the best wishes to you too!

    groetjes evelien

    ReplyDelete
  2. these are great, love the large scale holiday window displays :)
    -Ron

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very cool, I too enjoy the windows of the stores at Christmas time.

    NYC does a pretty good job, too. ;)

    Did you per chance see if my name was on Santa's list? ;)

    Merry Christmas to you, too!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is so wonderful. Do you happen to know the age of the display. Is it new or antique? Thanks More2view

    ReplyDelete
  5. How fun to see these displays! I remember helping my mother decorate the front window of our "vintage" pharmacy in Ohio. Every holiday was special. Nothing like THIS, but sweet memories for me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for bringing back memories of the magical Christmas windows of my youth!! May your holiday be as magical!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks everyone! I am glad you enjoyed the display. Each window has animation too.

    I don't think the display is vintage. It has been used for at least three years now, and I think it was new when they first put it in. I remember a different display before this one.

    Sorry Dale, the only name I remember from the list is mine. But I am sure you have been good, so I would think you were on it too.

    Happy Holidays.

    Hugs,

    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely! The details are terrific, like the deer heads on the balcony railing, and the mouse furnishings made from things taken from the house above!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know! Isn't it wonderful. It would be lovely to have a dollhouse with all this stuff, but at that scale it would fill my tiny house.

    Have a wonderful Christmas!
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. felices fiestas y prospero año nuevo desde carmona(sevilla)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Le deseo que pase una Feliz Navidad y un buen año en compañía de sus seres queridos.Un abrazo muy fuerte Carmen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Muchas Gracias. Dora! Have a wonderful Christmas and all food things in 2010 - especially doll house things.

    A big hug,

    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for sharing these beautiful scenes!
    And best wishes to you for the New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Best wishes to all of you for 2010.

    Hugs
    Susan

    ReplyDelete