12 Reasons I love this City during the Christmas Season...

12.  People are inspired to speak to you.  "Happy Holidays", Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, Warm Wishes, etc....

11.  I get to watch all of the Christmas shows I watched as a kid.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the specials that were produced in stop motion animation such as - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, the Little Drummer Boy, The Year Without a Santa, Santa Claus is Comin to Town, the animated Frosty the Snowman and so many other wonderful shows...

10.  The street corners are filled with jinglers, salvation army workers, Christmas Tree sellers, and your occassional gift and/or Holiday ticket hawkers.

9.  Everyone is ladened with packages, so they are less inclined to bump into you or get annoyed if you bump into them.

8.  The food shops try to compete with the next best Holiday Flavored something...Pumpkin Latte's, Gingerbread Cocoa, Holiday Hamburgers, etc.

7.  Its one of the few times of year, next to Halloween, that people choose to dress silly...Red Floppy Hats, Glittery Toppers, Beards, and all of the Holiday Cheery Apparel -- Sweaters included smiles.

6.  Most buildings are wrapped and decorated for the season.

5.  Holiday tunes can be heard just about every where you go, consistency...smiles.

4.  The Holiday markets at Bryant Park, Columbus Circle and Union Station to name a few.

A Christmas Season loving friend on the ice...smiles.

3.  Holiday themed outings with Friends and Loved ones.  Ice Skating on "The Pond", the tree lighting, Alvin Ailey Seasonal Performance.

2.  Trying to figure out which stores will stay true to the Christmas spirit and be closed on December 25.

1.  You can feel the spirit of Giving in the air and the feelings of good Tidings as New Yorkers and Tourists alike descend upon the shops and windows all covered with Christmas Joy.  The Big Apple seems wrapped in warmth as people donate to coat drives and charities and exemplifiy the true meaning of this season...the Gift of Giving...