For some people Christmas in New York begins when Santa parades down 6th Avenue during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For others, it kicks off when Saks unveils its festive windows, or when the Rockefeller tree is lit. But for me, the holiday season doesn’t start until I’ve heard the Saint Lucia choir sing their carols at the annual Scandinavian Christmas Ball. Heads adorned with wreaths and candles glistening in the darkness, outshone only by the enormous Christmas tree in the corner, their songs invoke the magic of the Christmas season and a promise of the joy to come.

This year, as usual, we arrived at the Metropolitan Club to find it gorgeously draped in twinkling lights and evergreen branches.

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

We were honoring Peter Martins, Ballet Master in Chief and Artistic Leader of the New York City Ballet, and guests were treated to a performance in his honor.

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

My second favorite part about this event is getting dressed up with my friends and taking Christmassy photos that I’m always tempted to add to my holiday cards.

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

And of course, I snuck up to the library to take my traditional Scandinavian Ball photograph.

2016:

2015 (read the post here):

and 2014 (read the post here):

And one more library picture, just for fun:

Then the moment that I had been looking forward to arrived. The choir slowly descended the steps, and as the Saint Lucia singers began their carols the guests fell into a trance, only brought out of their holiday reveries when asked to join in the singing of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

After the choir finished they glided back up the stairs and we went back to our celebrations with a new sense that Christmas has truly begun.

In past years the dancing at this event has felt a bit stuffy, but this year was anything but, and we had a blast thanks in large part to the band’s fabulous singer, Chris Norton. I highly recommend him for your next event!

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

We may have helped him a little bit…

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

Photograph by Tina Buckman

It was so. much. fun!

Photograph by Tina Buckman

When the party was over we headed off into the night, filled with Christmas spirit(s).

Photograph by Tina Buckman

There couldn’t have been a better welcome to the holiday season.

Wishing you the merriest of Christmasses.

~A

P.S. My dress is by Jay Godfrey.