NYC Goes Green For Christmas

New Yorkers dreaming of a green Christmas will finally get their fix this year. As of the official lighting ceremony on November 28, the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree will be more environmentally friendly than ever before. The city is taking a number of energy conserving initiatives including the use of 30,000 LEDs, and the installation of a solar energy roof. 500,000 people visit the tree each day during the holiday seasons

"The new solar energy roof will generate more electricity in its first year than the tree lights will consume over the 42 days they will be illuminated," a press release said.

"For the first time this year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was cut with a handheld saw this year to reduce energy use. Tishman Speyer is replanting/re-greening the land where the tree came from and recycling all appropriate materials used during the cutting event."

Those who won't be in New York this winter can check out the tree via a live video cast from WNBC. Check it out now and you'll see the unlit pinnacle of tree and hundreds of people shuffling around below, the occasional camera flash going off as pedestrians anticipate next week's lighting.

This just seems so romantic in my mind, and something I have every intention of experiencing... I think many girls share that same enchanted dream!

Sentimental schmucks and the sappy at heart will also appreciate the private skate engagements at the Rockefeller skating rink: