THE HOLIDAYS COME TO PIKE & ROSE (PHOTOS)

Given the big holiday displays every year at Bethesda Row, I've been wondering what Federal Realty would do for the season at its newest development, Pike & Rose. Those questions were answered this weekend, and I present the festive results here for your pleasure. The tree was not yet lit at this point, but there is plenty of Christmas and Chanakuh spirit in the air even so. Obviously, the scene will be more impressive once Phase 2 of the development has been built out, as the Christmas cheer is limited in distance. But if enough of the new retail stores can open in time, this could be a real sleeper spot for holiday shopping in Montgomery County - particularly for those purchasing apparel.

THE NEWT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

The holiday decorations continue to go up at Bethesda Row, and it was only a matter of time before the activity attracted celebrity attention. Last year, TV infomercial legend Matthew Lesko took in the bustling work of the Bethesda Row elves on Bethesda Lane. Last night, it was former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was celebrating the previous evening's Republican victories in downtown Bethesda, and signing books at Barnes and Noble.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

While many Bethesda residents were voting Tuesday, elves were scampering about at Bethesda Row, getting the Federal Realty property ready for the holiday shopping season. Too early? Given that some retailers held their first Black Friday deals before Halloween(!), early is a relative term. Watch the transformation in these photos (and they're just getting started):