Christmas in New York by Thomas Kinkade ~ For many years, my wife Nanette and I longed to visit that most festive of cities – New York – during the Christmas season. A few years ago we realized that dream, and now a trip to New York has become a Kinkade family Christmas tradition.

Christmas in New York brings us to Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the nation’s most famous Christmas tree. This painting follows others depicting beloved trees, including the White House tree I’ve presented to two presidents.

Rockefeller Center, an assemblage of fourteen Art Deco buildings erected by the famous oil family in the 1930s to celebrate American commerce, becomes a glorious spectacle during the holidays. Colorful skaters glide and spin under the massive, gilded statue of Prometheus.

Christmas in New York celebrates both the tree and also holidays in that great city.

Key Points

1. Thom has placed a total of 15 N’s in Christmas in New York as a symbol of love for his wife Nanette.

2. The Rockefeller Center opened in 1933 and was one of the first building complexes to incorporate artwork throughout, all reflecting the progress of man and new frontiers. The most significant urban complex of the 20th century, Rockefeller Center's innovations included heated buildings and the first indoor parking complex. Built with a facade of Indiana limestone, Rockefeller Center reflects the Art Deco style of elegance without ornamentation.

3. Did you know that the first nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was in 1951 on the Kate Smith Show? It was again lit in 1954 on the Howdy Doody Show.

4. The Rockefeller Center complex was conceived by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the hopes of revitalizing the area. Despite the stock market crash, construction continued, providing much needed employment during the Great Depression. This commercial complex of buildings is worth visiting to experience the architecture and art, as well as to enjoy the area's shopping and dining.

5. 2008 will hold the 76th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center. The annual event is televised and features musical performances from a variety of popular artists.

6. The Christmas tree that adorns Rockefeller Center is typically a Norway Spruce. The minimum requirement is that the tree be 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide.Over five miles of lights are used to decorate the tree every year. The tree is recycled and the 3 tons of mulch are donated to the Boy Scouts. The largest portion of the trunk is donated to the U.S. Equestrian team in New Jersey to use as an obstacle jump.

7. The ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center first opened on Christmas Day in 1936. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center is a quintessential New York City winter experience. The rink can accommodate approximately 150 skaters at a time and is 122 feet long and 59 feet wide. - Thomas Kinkade