Just before we left New York City in November… the Christmas lights were starting to go up on 5th Avenue.
The big stores were already unveiling their Christmas windows – some of which were pretty spectacular.
It was all very pretty – and very much part of the pre-holiday shopping frenzy.
The cats sitting on the Cartier’s balcony were lovely, but it was pretty hard to ignore the commercial side of the whole thing.
These are displays designed to bring you into a store and open your wallet.
Last night, I went for a walk through the streets around my West London home.
There are lights here too – of a very different sort.
The lights were everywhere – not for one second was I in the darkness.
There was always something cheerful twinkling at me.
Some displays were small – nothing like the expensive glitter of NYC.
Some were simple… or humourous.
While others SHOUTED their message….
It doesn’t really matter how big or small the displays are… there are no commercial considerations behind these lights. They were put up for no other reason than to spread the festive spirit.
And they made me smile… they are no doubt making a lot of people smile.
That is never a bad thing.
Merry Christmas everyone – I’ll see you in the New Year.