My last animated window from The Bay - hope you aren't all bored with them. This one shows Santa after his rounds with Mrs Claus putting the Hudson's Bay blanket on him while the kids bang their spoons in celebration. Two elves are up in the left hanging a welcome home sign. Lots of action in this one! (And still fighting the reflections too).
There have been animated windows on Queen St since the 1930s when The Bay was still Simpson's and they competed with Eaton's windows across the street. One of my favourites when I was a kid showed the mouse family beneath the floor having their own Christmas celebrations and so I was thrilled to see the little mice in this window. The mouse kids are all tucked into their matchbox beds (with Hudson Bay blankets!) while the humans upstairs are still preparing the house. Still fighting the reflections but I think it works!
This next animated window at The Bay shows the elves working away in the toyshop while Santa (up in the left hand corner) checks the list of kid's names that is tumbling to the floor as more names appear. There is a lot of movement in this window - the elves, the list, toys, Santa, etc. My problem was all the reflection on the window but I think you can still see it pretty well! I love the monthly clock.
I went down to the main Bay store today to see the animated Christmas windows. This one shows Santa's helpers getting the sleigh and the reindeers ready for his big trip. All the helpers are wearing clothing made from Hudson's Bay point blanket patterns. These blankets were first made in the 18th century and used to trade to First Nations people for beaver pelts. It is a pattern of coloured stripes still used today on many items by The Bay. We are getting a sprinkle of snow today - only 1 cm.
