I can’t quite believe it is December first already. Don’t get me started on the end of 2019 just yet! With the holiday season in full swing, schedules get packed, activities are overwhelming, and the crowds everywhere get a little out of control. And yet, that hustle and bustle is exactly what make this time of year magical.
I find myself wanting to do so many things, especially here in the city! There are just too many exciting events to do them all or even keep track. It is easy to get distracted and stressed out by all of the “must do’s.”
I find it so helpful to put together a bucket list each season. I did on earlier this year for summer fun with my oldest, and it was great to way to get inspired on long days or plan out special events. During December, when the days are short and it gets dark early, the weeks feel extra long. Especially when you are asked 100 times a day when Santa is coming!
At the beginning of the holiday season, we start making our bucket list as a family. From simple things such as baking gingerbread men to going to see the Rockefeller tree! Some activities can be done on any random weekday evening, and others take a bit more planning.
I go through my planner and see what evenings we have free and try to squeeze in those time sensitive events and write them in! Then there is no moment of, “we missed it!” or feeling like you forgot.
Without further ado…
Our New York City Holiday Bucket List
- Rockefeller Tree and Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show – The best time to go to the Rockefeller tree is early morning, or late at night to avoid the crowds. The light show on the Saks flagship store is best seen in the evening, but it can get super hectic! We usually head over right after school in the middle of the week. Getting there before folks are out of work, but right as dusk has set gives us the least amount of crowds and the best views.
- Ice Skating and The Bryant Park Holiday Village – Knocking out two birds with one stone is the way to do it, and The Holiday Village at Bryant Park is one of the best holiday markets in the city. It is free to skate, you just need to rent your own pair or bring your skates along with you. We are going ice skating in our own neighborhood this year to avoid the crowds.
- The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens – This is a new one on our list this year, but I have hear only wonderful things about the train show that the Botanical Gardens hosts each year.
- Christmas Lights Stroll – Dyker Heights is the place to go for Christmas Lights in NYC. There are lots of little blocks through out the city who do up their brownstones with Christmas decor, but no one is quite as over the top as this cute little block in Brooklyn. Another one that we hit right after school is out during the week to avoid too many crowds!
- Macy’s SantaLand – It can seem absolutely bananas to go to Macy’s to visit Santa, but there is no place more magical to see the big man. Now that they take reservations, it is that much more manageable. My tip is to go during the week, after a special dinner out! There aren’t nearly as many parents looking to keep their kids up past bedtime to chat with Santa. Worth the late bedtime to have little to no line!
- Gingerbread Bakeoff – What is Christmas without cookie decorating? We love to have friends over for some festive eggnog, gingerbread baking and holiday decorating. Micheal’s is the place to go in the city for all of your festive baking supplies!
- Window Displays and Hot Coco – There is nothing quite like putting yourself right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It is actually a ton of fun when you aren’t stressed about your list! We love to grab a hot chocolate from the Godiva or Lindt store on Fifth Ave and then stroll through the hubbub to view the beautifully designed window displays, do a little people watching and maybe scout out a few things on our list. It always just feels so festive!
- The Polar Express – This is a new one for us this year, and I am SO excited! We are going to pull my oldest out of school for a secret getaway to Connecticut – complete with a hotel for the night (that obviously has an indoor pool) and a train ride on the Essex Steam Train Polar Express. I have heard this one is the best in the Tri-State area, and will report back after we go!
There are plenty more little things to do in the city through out the season. The whole city is transformed and you can make a fun, festive event out of almost any errand. Trees grace every lobby, lights fill many streets and the sounds of the season are in the air!
What is something on your holiday bucket list this season?
