This morning was a bust. It was horrible weather, raining, white sky, and nothing was looking good. So we headed off to find Christmas in Melbourne. Of course we, as you do at Christmas in Melbourne, headed to Myer to look at the windows.
Before I show you the photos, some history. Myer is famous for their Christmas windows. Every year, for the past 57 I think, they put up a Christmas themed story. Parents bring their kids from all over Melbourne to see the windows. You have to get there early or you are waiting in the cue for a very long time.
This is Russell sitting on the tree watching Santa going past the moon. Can you see Santa?
Santa and the Reindeer have a stack and Russell is watching, you can’t see Russell in this one.
Santa’s sleigh can’t be fixed, so Russell, see him on the left of Santa, comes up with an alternative, an old car.
The car is painted with red glitter paint, the reindeers are hooked up, and it is all ready to go.
Santa flies around and around the world delivering all the presents. If you look hard you can see him in his red sparkly car.
Jobs done, time to relax. Looks like someone has given Santa a present as well. There is Russell making snow angels. Russell saved Christmas.
This lot were in the corner of one of the windows, this is happening under the snow.
The last window, which is somewhat separated from the rest has the traditional Nativity Scene in it. I don’t know if they use the same one every year.
This was just a little while after we looked at the windows and the crowds were beginning to grow. We looked at 7.30am, and by 9 the crowds were 3 or 4 times the size of this. If you were walking past you wouldn’t be able to see the windows. The cue goes a long way when it is really busy.
The photos aren’t great, it is hard to take photos when you have glass between the subject and the camera. There are a lot of reflections in the glass, I did my best to get rid of them, I hope they don’t detract from the story too much.
It was lovely to see that some have gone to some trouble for Christmas and I must go in again and see what I can find. I would like to do a night shot.
Awards
I have been nominated for some more awards, so please, I hope you will visit some of the following blogs.
The Sunshine Award
Timeless Difference has nominated me for this one.
The following have nominated me for the Blog of the Year 2012
The following have nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award
Another award is the Addictive Blog Award, not sure I have ever had that before.
I would like to say thank you so much to everyone. It is lovely to be nominated by so many.
I think they are great photos Leanne – gives us a feel for the window display without actually being there. Well done you for getting up early to go and see them – looks like it was worth it. Have a great Xmas. Cheers Jan
Thank you Jan, it was the best thing to do to see them, unless you want to wait in a very long queue.
Amazing photos of pretty well arranged displays. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you pleisbilongtumi
I actually really like the reflections – they give me a nice sense of place. We went to the windows on Friday night – great weren’t they? My favourites from the last few years I think.
I haven’t seen them for the last few years, actually I can’t remember the last time, but I thought they were fantastic. Great story. Thanks Liz.
Thank you for sharing. My children loved looking at your pictures; especially the one of the frog family. We used to have window displays here, it is great to see some places still do them. My 4 year old couldn’t quite understand the concept of no snow when looking at the picture of the store, but I think she feels winter is eternal as we are in Canada.
That is so wonderful, I am so glad your children enjoyed them. You can tell your 4 year old that we think it is strange as well. Thank you
I can remember when Selfridges in London was that good, it wasn’t any where near as good last time I went..
I think money is the problem these days, I suspect this store gets a helping hand as it is a pretty famous Christmas event in Melbourne.
I don’t think they were short of bob or two at the time, just went too arty about the whole thing..
That’s a shame
I am over it now
Amazing, i wish we had a store like that here in the philippines. When i look at the first few photos i recall the characters in tim burton’s the night before christmas. These could actually be a good set for a christmas cartoon movie.
Congratulations on all your nominations. Well deserved. Proud to be a follower of your blog. I chose right!
They are pretty cool windows, and I think you are right about what you said about the characters, though I think Russell has been around longer. They would make a great movie.
Thank you mymeggielitz
Great photos!
I actually love the Myer and David Jones windows in Sydney as well.. was going to take some pictures this week too:)
I love it when places go to a lot of trouble, it is nice to see them doing something for their customers, for a change. Thank you Getvelvet
What beautiful and imaginative displays, thank you for photographing them, because I’ve loved seeing these. I particularly like the one with Santa holding the gift and Russell in the snow.
You are very welcome caro, I am really happy that you have enjoyed them. Funny to see Russell in the snow, because it never snows here at Christmas, actually it never snows here.
Reblogged this on RD Revilo.
I’ve seen the Christmas windows at Myer in Bourke St several times and they are always lovely. The Myer store here used to have windows like this when I was a child (many many years ago) but they haven’t for a long time. If you want some Summer weather come to Queensland – 32 today and 35 tomorrow.
We having storms today, but it is supposed to be 36 on Sunday, but nice and cool on Christmas day, we hope. I suspect that Melbourne City Council help out Myer with the windows, they are a major Christmas attraction, so it wouldn’t look good if they stopped. Thanks Carol
Hi Leanne, These are lovely, hard to see, but, as you say, glass gets in the way. It brings back long forgotten memories of my mom taking me to see the store windows in downtown Indianapolis, IN at L.S. Ayers. It was one of the Christmas highlights. Congratulations on your many blog awards. You deserve every one.
Thank you Marsha, the windows are nearly always fantastic.
I was at the windows again last night and the queues were back to Zara so I’m guessing the waiting time would have been at least an hour. I got stuck in that years ago so now I go in November when they are released.
Your photos are great. I love those little frog stories in the corners of the windows under the snow. Did you notice there are 2 similar scenes?
Wow, that is long, I thought I might take a look on the weekend, just at the queues, not the windows again. I try and go early in the morning.
I love the frogs too, no I didn’t see the other one, almost missed the one I did get.
Thanks threeweeksinnz
With window reflections, grab yourself a polarising filter. That’ll help a lot.
I can well imagine the little ones noses pressed up against the windows to see inside !
I too remember like arnoldthearmadillo the Selfridges Store windows being amazing, perhaps they have got the pzzazz back this year I haven’t seen yet . Someone’s bound to know !
Lovely
The kids love it, I saw one dad explaining to his very upset son that they couldn’t go and see them because the line was too long and they would be waiting for too long. It is something that most little kids get to see. Thanks poppytump
There was a store in Boston that did this for decades…sadly, it’s no longer there.
Thanks for sharing these!
When Myer was sold a few years ago, everyone was worried that they wouldn’t keep doing them, but they have, which has been great. What they do is lovely.
Thanks for enjoying them. Thanks Marie.
I love … shops window displays for Christmas – so fun and playful. Couple of years ago “Liberty” in London, who has very small windows because of the Tudor style of building (very old) they are in. In very window they had a miniature set up of a musical that was on stage in London. A famous scene for every window and it was about 8-10 show. Absolutely amazing. So beautiful and in every detail. Wish I had taken photos of them all. Love your photos here – it’s what Christmas is about – joy and fun .. and light.
Wow they sound like they were wonderful, I love it when shops go to some trouble for Christmas, it is sad to see that not many do anymore. I suppose it makes it even more special for those that do. That is very much what Christmas should be about. Thanks viveka
I suppose the big shops has this thing about how have the best Christmas windows for the season – at least it’s like that in London.
But it must cost them a furtune. So I think it all about cost and also energy saving those days. Still for me that’s what Christmas alwyas been about – Christmas shop displays.
A great set of phots in spite of the rain, well done!
Thanks John, glad you enjoyed them.
Hey Leanne, Thanks ever so much for sharing these photographs with us! You truly found Christmas!
Thank you so much Nikita, I think I found it in the city, I really need to go back and find some more.
What a fantastic display – well worth getting there early for
Yes Noeline, really the best way to see it. Thank you.
I would hardly have known there was glass in between if they weren’t windows. Really imaginative displays. From a northern hemisphere perspective, it’s weird to see Christmas windows in conjunction with people dressed for summer.
It is strange for us as well poet, I think we all associate Christmas with cold and snow. Even the windows have snow in them. I so glad you like the windows, they are pretty cool. Kids love them. Thanks
Great photos! I like that they invest year on year to bring new decorations. Also, I love the little frog family enjoying dinner
It is great that they do it, the frog family is fantastic, thank you Claus
I enjoyed the photos and the story…what an amazing display I can see why people flock to see them!
Thank you Heather, it is a great display, I think many people are very happy that they still do them.
What a nice Christmas themed story and displa. I liked viewing it through your photographs.
That is so good Mary, they were a great display, thank you.
Christmas windows, a queue to view – very traditional, which I like very much. The frog family celebrating, too cute.
It is very traditional David, and the frog family is cute, thank you.
What beautiful pictures! When I was a small child, the stores would go crazy decorating for Christmas. It was imaginative and elegant…. as are your pictures!
I remember that as well Keli, now most of them make some half hearted attempt, and expect you to spend lots of money with them. It has all become too commercial. Thank you.
Absolutely beautiful views. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Valentina, glad you liked them.
Loved these photographs! You managed to make me smile… after the tragedy, that is. Thank you for sharing! So cute and colorful!
Thank you Inés,
Great photos, and you did well with the glass. I have seen the Melbourne Myer window for the last 2 Christmases but wasn’t down there this year, so at least I get a virtual viewing. I’ll be stopping by Sydney DJs at some stage this week but the getting photos without people in them will likely be impossible… we’ll see
I am so glad you got to see them in some way EllaDee, they are great this year. I don’t think you can avoid people at this time of the year unfortunately. I am behind on looking at blogs, did you put some up. will have to go and check out your blog. Thanks
Checking out my blog won’t take long
I’m just about on my Christmas break… I’m going to try to post at least a couple of times during the hols but it will depend on how the internet coverage holds up.
PS. My sister just annouced she is movingto Melbourne early next year. You may get to see me yet
What an exciting tradition. You did a great job capturing the displays!
It is a great tradition Sheila, thank you.
Thanks for sharing. They really are delightful displays.
Thank you Terri
Thank you so very much for sharing these photos with us.
No problem at all, glad you liked them.
Reblogged this on Donkey Whisperer Farm Blog.
Such beautiful Christmas windows. I’d imagine it would be tough to really feel the spirit of the holidays in such heat. No White Christmas for you.
No, no white Christmas for me,
one day maybe. The windows are great, and if you search can find things that are Christmassy. Thank you Emily
Leanne, the images you capture are simply beautiful. You have a natural born gift,and I thank you for sharing it with all of us on here.
I adore Melbourne,and although I currently do not live there at the moment,and day dream about moving there (eventually!),your images make me feel as though I am there and do truly inspire me. I wish you all the best,and a Merry Christmas!
What a wonderful thing to say, thank you so much. I love Melbourne and I can understand why you would want to come back. Brilliant place, and it has the best coffee. LOL
Those are such neat window displays!
Thank you lifeasiknowitphotography
That is one great Santa! Thanks.
Isn’t he brilliant, thanks Hutch
Beautiful pictures bursting with colours!! Love them.
Congratulations on your awards!! Well deserved
Thank you so much petit4chocolatier. for both, haha,
Beautiful photographs… I loved them all. Congratulations dear Leanne Cole, Merry Christmas and Happy New year, Thank you, love, nia
Thank you Nia, you are so sweet, I am so glad you liked the photos, they are much better in person, but I am glad you like this.
Its a wonderful time of year. You truly found some Christmas Cheer in Melbourne!
I was really starting to wonder if I ever would, but I am so glad that I have, thank you Mark1
Oh, Leanne, you did a fantastic job with these spectacular shots! Such a fun story line, too! Especially love that you captured the ‘froggies’ celebrating under the snow…who’da thunk?
Thank you so much 1000, they were a challenge, but you know, we both love those. I am happy with how they came out, nice for a bit of Christmas cheer. I love the frogs too.
I love your pictures!
Thank you jazperjay
Christmas in the southern hemisphere sure is strange! Love these pictures.
It sure can be hmch1, thanks.
That is an awesome place! How fun!! I love the shots
Do they only go all out during Christmas? Or do they decorate during other holidays as well?