The Rockefeller Center Tree

There are few more festive places to be in New York City this time of year than Rockefeller Center. Between the trumpeting angels, the smell of roasting chestnuts in the air, and the skating rink, it's all but impossible not to get wrapped up in the holiday spirit while you're there - it is a testament to its power that Rockefeller Center at Christmastime is one of the few places where you are more likely to react to tourists with a friendly smile than immediate murderous rage. But the real reason everyone's there is obviously the world famous tree that overlooks the rink.

As a kid growing up in North Jersey in the 80s and 90s, I was as enthralled with New York City as my mother was petrified of it. We only visited once a year - to see the tree - and it was a quick walk from the parking garage to Rockefeller Plaza and back, with Mom insisting that I not make eye contact with anyone along the way for fear of setting off some sort of junkie gang attack. Back then the combination of the crowds and my small stature ensured that my view consisted mostly of a whole bunch of acid-washed jeans,
but now that I'm tall enough to appreciate it, I try to make it there at least once a year.

The first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was a modest 20-footer put up by workers during 30 Rock's construction and decorated with strings of cranberries, paper garlands, and tin cans. The first official tree lighting was in 1933, and NBC Radio breathlessly described the 50 foot tree to a nation of listeners back when people could still use their imaginations. The ceremony was first televised in 1951 and hosted by the "first lady of radio", Kate Smith. Since then it has been hosted by stars such as Barbara Walters, Bob Hope, Lilly Tomlin, and Liza Minnelli. Nowadays the duties usually fall to the cast of NBC's Today Show.

The average Rockefeller tree is around 75 feet tall and is decorated with tens of thousands of lights. For the past ten years it has been topped with the Swarovski Star, which contains 25,000 crystal panels and weighs 550 pounds. The largest ever tree was a 100-foot Norway spruce which was erected in 1999.

This year's tree lighting ceremony, which is airing tonight, features musical performances by America's slutty aunt Mariah Carey, 90s R&B stars with nothing better to do Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, and Ashanti, Kelly "The Only Famous American Idol" Clarkson, the Goo Goo Dolls for some reason, and this year's model of the Disney Actoteensingatron 3000™, Ariana Grande. And it's starting right now so I'd better wrap this thing up!