David Jones is an institution in Sydney. It is not only Australia’s oldest department store, but also the oldest department store in the world still trading under its original name. It is fondly known as DJ’s by the locals.
It has traded for 175 years and a very special tradition is the decorating of the Christmas windows each year. Of course we had to see them, so I would like to share with you the wonder and joy of the children, and the adults, as they crowd around to gaze at this beautiful display.
All ages enjoy the display
But it is especially the children that love it most
It is difficult to capture photos because of the reflections. They are also animated and in this window they are busily preparing Christmas dinner.
A choir sings Christmas carols
This boy captures his own special moment
This is a street scene from the 1920’s all the figures busily moving around
It had to have Santa busily preparing parcels
Finally a beautiful ballroom scene with the dancers twirling around
I would like to wish all my friends and followers in this marvellous WordPress community a very happy Christmas.
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A special thank you and best wishes to Dawn of “The day after” for giving us this weekly challenge. Take a look at her blog and maybe you would like to join in.
gypsy life 
I love these!
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Me too. 🙂
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Love the look on those Children’s faces.. 🙂 Christmas is all about them 🙂 and remembering the gift is in the giving…. Wishing you a very Happy New Year
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The children are beautiful and it is a special time for them. Hope you had a happy Christmas Sue and best wishes for 2014
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adorable!
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Thanks Cindy I love to see the expressions on the children’s faces
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Oh, these windows are charming! Seeing the children so entranced is lovely. The traditions we keep are very special. My Dad always took us to London to see a Pantomime & we saw all the beautiful windows decorated there. Merry Christmas & thank you for all your wonderful posts! Do you cook a turkey?
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Lovely to have your comment Deanna, I remember going to the pantomime when I was a child living in Hull, UK. It was a highlight of Christmas for me.
No we do not cook a traditional Christmas dinner over here, it is so hot. It is usually prawns, chicken (cold) and lots of salads followed by fruit and pavlova…Many Australians still do the traditional thing but then they put on the air-conditioning to cool down…
I wish you a very happy Christmas my WP friend
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mmmm…sounds yummy!
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I’ve been to Sydney at Christmas, and I have to agree: David Jones has the best holiday window displays I’ve ever seen. For me, being in Australia at Christmas was very strange: it was too warm!!!
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Having been born in UK and spending my childhood Christmases in the cold I never really get that Christmas feeling until we are all together on the 25th sharing presents and a (cold) meal with our children and grand children. But I wouldn’t swap it now for the cold…
Hope you have a lovely Christmas Stephen and best wishes for 2014
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I can remember coming from the country to Sydney and my parents would take us for a day in town. We would get dressed in our Sunday best and visit the chris as windows in DJ’s and have morning tea at Cahill’s.
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Oh I missed Cahill’s must put it on my list for next time. I notice in the photos all the children are dressed in Sunday clothes. Don’t they look lovely?
Have a very happy Christmas Irene
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You are too late for Cahill’s unfortunately. The last of their shops closed in the seventies. Their caramel sauce was too die for. Have a Happy Christmas too
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Thank you for this glimpse of DJ’s windows – I used to take my daughter to see them every year 🙂
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It certainly is popular, the atmosphere was very special
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Lovely, touching photos of children’s Christmas wonder and delight. Thank you for it, and for all the thoughtfully prepared posts all through this past year. Happiest of Holidays to you both!
xx del
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Thanks for the lovely comment Del, It brings home the fact of that special Christmas spirit. Best wishes to you for 2014 and have a very happy Christmas
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