When Providence Sparkled At Christmas - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

When Providence Sparkled At Christmas - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

When I drive through the city of Providence at Christmas time, the days of my youth flash by; those days when I accompanied Mom to the city, when the town was vibrant with shoppers and the windows were sparkling. It was not like the usual Saturday when I was in the spin cycle of the washing machine tugged by Mom. She didn’t have to drag me at Christmas time. I stomped in step with her.

It was boisterous and bustling. It was festive, joyful, musical and happy. People were shopping, toting bags. The clack of heels on the streets and the puffs of steam complemented the winter day. Getting bumped when you stopped to socialize simply meant that you’d better get moving. There were things to do, colored lights to see, windows to examine, bells to hear, and toys to tally. The town was transformed into a  fairyland.

Tides of people strolled through the streets with a purpose, admiring the windows and stopping to chat, sharing their day. ---- What did you buy? ----Very nice. ----Have you eaten? ----Where? ----Coffee?

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I looked at the sidewalk, shifted and shook my head as they spoke of dresses and shoes. “C’mon, Mom.” I tugged. We trolled from store to store, exchanging the commotion of the city --cars, buses, walkers, and talkers -- for the muted sounds from the stores, and the smell of wood, wax, and pine.

For eleven months of the year, the stores’ windows changed regularly with new fashions and seasonal displays. December’s was different. It was Christmas stuff.

We passed Gladdings, Kennedys, Shepherds (meet you under the clock) to Woolworth’s, cutting through Pie Alley, stopping to look, Mom never letting go of my hand. Finally, like lead filings to a magnet, we arrived at The Outlet Store.

The windows were alive with toys, dolls, Santa, stirring puppets, a whirling train, and animated elves. Inside was my visit with Santa and my list (I had scanned the Sears Catalog). From the grab bag, I plucked a bag of goodies.

At the end of our Saturday, before heading home, we made our way to The Hon Hong Restaurant where steamy aromas filled the air, and the mystery of fortune cookies filled my mind. Mom ordered our evening meal and toted it, along with her other bags, home on the bus.

On our return, we passed Federal Hill where I saw the late afternoon ritual of people strolling, talking, and buying. The pushcarts were out. Red and green lights filled the air. “Here Comes Santa Claus” was playing in the background.

My feet were cold. I was tired, full enough of downtown with its commotions and distances, and I was hungry. But I felt so good, so happy, so eager.

More than window displays, Santa, the grab bag, smells, and decorations, there were people. That’s what made it fun. That’s what made Christmas. It was the people.

Downtown Providence at Christmas was the place. It was a sweet road to Christmas morning.