With Christmas just around the corner I thought it would be fun to visit some of my favorite Hudson Valley towns and see how some of the stores are decorated. Here is a sample from New Paltz.

This set of colorful stick figures that always greet visitors at the entrance to the famed Water Street Market is currently sporting Santa Claus caps.

Many of the shop windows in the Water Street Market are decorated with this “gift-wrap” theme. The photo includes a reflection of the shops on the opposite side of the pedestrian path.

My favorite place in all Water Street — the gallery of regional photographer G. Steve Jordan. If you’re in New Paltz, stop in for a real visual treat. Otherwise, visit Steve’s website. Anyone who has been to the Mohonk Mountain House should appreciate one of Steve’s prints of the area as a remembrance of their visit. One of his magnificent 2013 calendars will keep the memories alive on your wall all year long.