apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Clever!

Crass.

It's the Reason for the Season. lol.

Given the prices of some holiday decor, it's probably actually a cheaper tree than they could have erected.

That said, unless it is part of some sort of promotion, inside joke among the waitstaff, or it's all going to charity at some point, I find it kinda tasteless and insensitive, given the current state of affairs.

Tasteless, showy and kitschy -- and not at all original.

Where is this place - Wall Street?

I'd expect to see this in the Vice President's house - or the lobby of Halliburton Headquarters in Houston...

something tells me this isn't the year for this, if there ever is.

Ha!

Good one, bepsf.

woulda been better with receipts.

as tom hanks character in the movie big said, i don't get it.
i mean, why?

it's the true meaning of christmas!

It IS "green"... it can certainly be recycled after the holidays...

lunch money

What's the story here? Is the money being given to charity after Xmas?

yuk.

I agree with patrick. Unless it's going to charity, it's pretty tasteless in these times.

btoddster - Crass is the perfect word.

So this is what the Illinois governer's Christmas tree is this year.

Apt representation of Christmas.

what's to stop people from taking them??

Emily

I think it's too gray, and I thought it had more money on it at first. I can't think too hard about the gimmick without noticing it could have been executed quite a bit better. The lights on the inside of the chicken wire don't really read well. I probably would have gone around in rows like shingles, and made a little bit of a flare shape at the bottom. The house-shaped ornaments are odd, and I'm not sure if they're supposed to be commentary on the shape of things or a juxtaposition of a traditional sentiment. Where are the car-shaped ornaments? This was someone's idea of a smart display but couldn't quite make the dead presidents come alive, as it were.

It also looks like a really boring bar to hang out in! Just sayin'!

Neiman Marcus did something similar for its flagship store in Dallas a few years ago. TACKY doesn't begin to describe it.

oh you know that's hot! and totally appropriate considering the location.

A money Christmas tree is a great idea if the bills are donated to a good cause.

???? it never occurred to me that it might be going to charity. if so, okay...otherwise totally tasteless

Crass.

Bar 89 food is a wonderful treat after a long day of SoHo shopping! I remember Christmas there about 4 or 5 years ago: the Christmas tree was a stacked and fragile pyramid composed of glass jars filled with colored water and doll body parts!

You could buy a Senate seat with that...

can those of you calling this tree crass, or tacky, or tasteless explain to me why this is crass, or tacky, or tasteless? and why all of the sudden it's cool if it's donated to charity?

i don't like it either, but i'm only judging it on its look. it could look more christmasie

but i'll take it if no one likes it

Rude.

I think it's cute, clever and appropriate for these times. For one thing, no real trees had to die for this holiday display. Secondly, money is green, so the color is appropriate. And given the state of the economy and the relative devaluation of the U.S. currency, it's a commentary on the value of money these days, as well as a commentary on the crass commercialization of the holiday. Sure, it would be great if all of that money was donated (sure beats the heck out of spending hundreds on useless ornaments), but at least we know that the "tree," regardless of where it ends up, will be recycled no matter what.

I think it would have been neat if they could find a way to make a garland out of nickels and dimes...

I put Not on the survey, but it's starting to grow on me. It's rude and edgy, not exactly good holiday feelings, but maybe that's the point. I'm sensing a reference to the real estate market along with the other obvious one.

But yeah, the design is still drab and monochrome. Not a great execution.

I kind of like it. I agree that it grew on me, especially when I read some of the more 'positive' spins on it.

I don't think it's rude because in the small town where I'm from, people have given/exchanged small money trees my whole life. They are usually much smaller, and more deciduous than coniferous (forgive me for being a terrible speller), and they are for luck and prosperity. So this tree didn't shock me or come across as crass or rude.

I do think it looks drab in the space but against a brightly colored background it might look better.

Fabulous. ..the irony of it!!! hahaha

Appropriate for this season...we WISH money grew on trees!

I'd like a table next to that tree. I could pay for my meal without reaching for my wallet.

It sounds from previous posts like their Christmas trees tend to be "art pieces" that make a statement. If you look at it from a different point of view, maybe it's trying to make a statement about what Christmas has become.

Love this bar (neato bathrooms in particular). Love this neighborhood. And love this tree.

Wow. Looks big enough =) Although I prefer some tabletop christmas trees at home.