Remember the Clausometer in “Elf,” which measures Christmas spirit? If no one believes in Santa, his sleigh cannot fly, even with the assistance of the Kringle 3000 jet engine? Well, East Hampton, we have liftoff.
The Star’s Holiday Spirit decorating contest, launched with the help of the Anchor Society and the Greater East Hampton Chamber of Commerce, was judged on Saturday: We have a winner: the Monogram Shop of Newtown Lane.
Other well-bedazzled businesses worthy of mention were London Jewelers, with its landmark garland-wrapped columns; Obligato’s Barbie-pink tree, and Dayton Ritz & Osborne insurance agency’s classic Father Christmas and icicles. Corcoran got into the act with candy-striped columns.
We must acknowledge that the Ralph Lauren stores are the standalone superstars of holiday window décor, so there was much debate about whether to present them or the Monogram Shop with the first-prize basket of cheer, but the judges decided to refine the rules for the 2025 Holiday Spirit contest. Incidentally, Ralph Lauren is the generous sponsor of a second store-decorating contest, during Santa Fest on Saturday, when the kudos and applause will surely be loud.
We’re pleased the holly laurels are going to the Monogram Shop, a stalwart small business known for maintaining windows of much interest year round, and especially during elections. The shop and its owner will be featured in a profile next week that will also give details on the judges and the Anchor and chamber members who donated prizes.
Finally, we cannot resist noting — with a droll, Kringle-ian wink — that, first, there was the “Yes, Virginia” editorial published in response to an 8-year-old’s letter to the editor of The Sun in 1897, and then, second, there was James R. Weldon’s letter to The Star last January, suggesting that a contest might encourage a return to the village’s former winter warmth. Some of the best holiday traditions do spring from letters written to newspapers.