vip in the city

The 9th day of Christmas

A last look at the Christmas tree in front of the New York Stock Exchange. This tree lighting tradition, which dates from 1923, is believed to be Manhattan’s oldest. As in years past, 2007’s 65′ Norway Spruce from the Catskills was decorated with 10,000 multi-colored lights and 250 multi-colored balls. The six 50′ columns of The Exchange’s façade were strung with lights to create an illuminated American flag measuring 40′ high by 72′ wide.

After the weekend, like so many trees around the city, The Exchange’s tree will be converted into mulch. At MulchFest this Saturday and Sunday, participants can bring their Christmas trees to local parks throughout the five boroughs to chipped and bagged for mulch.

For those that miss out on Mulchfest, the Department of Sanitation will collect trees left at the curb for composting through Wednesday, January 16, 2008. Is there anything more melancholy than the sight of all those brown-edged trees, stripped of their tinsel and lights, lining the sidewalks?

More backfilling of December posts to come. Looking at that birthday cake from Ceci-Cela reminds me that this is the week the SoHo bakery prepares its galette des Rois (Kings’ cake), a Feast of Epiphany treat made with flaky puff pastry, that can be plain or filled with frangipane, an almond-flavored paste. Hidden inside the cake is a “fève” – once a bean, but now a small porcelain or china figurine; the recipient of the slice containing la fève is crowned King (or Queen) for the day. C’est magnifique!

Tags: Christmas tree, Epiphany, holiday decorations, mulch, NYSE