CHRISTMAS IN DC

Given that almost all of our worldly possessions, including all of our Christmas decorations, are in a storage facility somewhere in Maryland, our apartment was a bit drab this holiday season.  We strung up some lights and bought a poinsettia, but it seemed a bit sparse for a true Christmas celebration.  Our car is already en route to Belize, so our options for a Christmas getaway were a bit limited as well.  So Andrew and I spent a few days at the Mayflower Hotel in downtown DC to celebrate Christmas in style – and to take advantage of all of the Christmas decorations that someone else put up.

The Mayflower was built in the 1920s and was fully decked out in holiday flair. 

In front of the Christmas tree at the Mayflower.

More Christmas trees in the lobby.

The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the White House, so we enjoyed a central location from which to see all the holiday sights on display in DC, including the Christmas trees in front of the White House and the Capitol.  

The "national tree" in front of the White House.  There is a tree there, but it's draped in a net of blazing lights so you can't even see it.  Lame.

I much preferred this tree in front of the Capitol.

We also visited the decorations on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden, which included yet another huge Christmas tree, as well as miniature recreations of many of the national monuments all made from wood and other plant products.

The Capitol on display in the U.S. Botanic Garden.

And the Lincoln Memorial... complete with reflecting pool and Washington Monument at the other end,

We also took in a blues show at the Howard Theater.  It’s a wonderful old theater, and the music sounded fantastic.

Motown and blues at the Howard Theater.

We celebrated Christmas day with a morning walk down to the Washington monument.  The day was clear – and cold, and since it was Christmas morning, the crowds were light. 

Looking toward the Capitol from the Washington Monument on Christmas morning.

And looking down the reflecting pool toward the Lincoln Memorial.

Afterwards, we had a traditional Christmas lunch – and bottomless champagne – at the Henley Park Hotel, another old school tradition, in downtown DC.  Now THAT’S what I call a Christmas celebration!

After our Christmas lunch (and, ahem, a few glasses of champagne), Andrew spotted a gift under the tree at the Henley Park Hotel that he thought might be his.

Now it’s on to the new year and the new adventures that await.  We hope you all had a wonderful holiday celebration in whatever part of the world you are, and wish you all the best for a happy and healthy 2017!