With dancing polar bears in the window, 10,000 small lights, antique ornaments, seasonal music and enough pine garlands to circle Rockefeller Center, Rolf's is a winter wonderland.

Idly Imel stirred a curious finger through the litter of antique ornaments and metalwork.

If one of those creatures cantered with him aboard, his old knees and hip joints were going to shatter like antique Christmas-tree ornaments.

Among them were students from a nearby high school, and they carried off electric fans, dishes and antique ornaments, he said.

To Mr. Snyder, Christmas trees with antique ornaments are a "world in miniature where every object is interesting."

The homey and simple hung bough by bough with the priceless antique ornaments Susan had collected from around the world.

Centered behind the Virgin's chamber lies the sacristy where antique ornaments are kept, which can be arranged to be seen with a monk.

Inside, however, nothing has changed: the holly arrangements are scattered about, as are Ms. Greene's cherished antique ornaments and the holiday-themed carousel horses that she collected.

This year, for the first time, Lucille had loaned her precious collection of antique ornaments to her granddaughter for the tree out at the farm.

Competition on the Upper East Side, on the other hand, means a little fancier lace here, an antique ornament there.