Sparkles and Shoes

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Christmas in the City

| Christmas, Christmas Market, New York City

First of all, I have to apologize, today was supposed to be the last gift guides but I had to stop and switch gears.  New York City is absolutely gorgeous and Christmas time and since the official tree lighting on Wednesday night and it seems as if the city has embraced the holiday in full force.  Last year, for whatever reason, I did not do any of the traditional touristy things in New York City that tourists, and even some native New Yorkers do.  I have regretted that all year so I have created a list of all of the things I need to do before New Years.


New York City Christmastime Oversized Lights


The biggest one?  Stop and appreciate the lights!  I feel like I am always rushing from one destination to the next, checking email, listening to my audio books and trying to get through the crowds as fast as possible.  This season I am going to stop and appreciate the lights.  Just four blocks from my office are these oversized Christmas lights that are displayed every year in Midtown Westt, hello LUNCH BREAK!

New York City Christmastime Oversized Lights

The second, thing I want to do is be a part the Macy’s Believe Campaign.  As part of its’ fifth annual “Believe” campaign, Macy’s is encouraging kids all across the country to drop off a letter to Santa at their local Macy’s Santa mailbox. For each stamped letter dropped in the letterbox through Christmas Eve, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to help grant wishes to children who have life-threatening diseases.  I think this is such a great cause and plan on telling all of my friends with kids to do this!  (This is not a sponsor, just a great cause).

Next up, I will definitely have to stop by the artist/flea markets that seem to have materialized all around the city.  On the top of my list?  To check out the artist and flea pop-up shop in Chelsea Market. According to the website, this shop sells everything, including art, jewelry, home accessories and clothing — from more than 50 independent designers, vintage dealers, sellers and artists.

New York City Christmastime Bloomingdales Lights

One of my other favorite things is stores that go all out with their light decorations. As I mentioned a year ago, driving to see Christmas lights was one of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions with my family.  Now that I live in the concrete jungle I have to make compromises. This is not to hard thought basically all of fifth avenue – from Fendi to H+M – are decked out in in lights.

On the Upper East Side Bloomingdales department store chooses classic white lights to illuminate their storefront during the holidays. Some of my other favorites include the windows at the Bergdorf Goodman store, located at 754 5th Avenue, right off Central Park, with their retro, 1920s theme and the  Macy’s storefront windows.

New York City Christmastime Bryant Park Shops

Talking with one of my friends last night while watching the Georgetown game he told me about his date at last week at Bryant Park.  I have never been to the Bryant Park Holiday Market but I he is not the first person who has raved about it.  It is currently open and, I’ve ben told, if you can not find it online it is one-stop shopping at Bryant Park through Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park sell jewelry, decorative goods, local foods, pet gifts and much more at over 100 boutique-style shops.

And while I am at it, I have looked into the Bryant Park Ice Rink. You can go ice skating in Bryant Park for free on the 170-foot-by-100-foot rink.  It features skating shows, special event and activities and skates are for rent onsite, and professional skating coaches are available for individual and group lessons. As an additional bonus, until December 8th if you skate at the rink for then minutes they will donate one dollar to the New York City food bank.  Alternatively, if you dine at the restaurant and if you order the gingerbread cheesecake lollipop they will donate the price to the food bank, how nice!

New York City Christmastime Rockerfeller Center

Finally, as I mentioned above, the tree at Rockefeller Plaza has been lit.  This is something did not go see last year and this year it is an absolutely must.  The 76-foot Norway Spruce will attract thousands of people  to converge on Rockefeller Plaza to visit and snap photos of the awe-inspiring beauty.  Per usual, the Christmas tree has been meticulously decorated with 45,000 LED lights  that are crowned with a 9 ½-foot-wide Swarovski star that topped the 12-ton tree.

The only SUPER traditional NYC thing not on this list is seeing the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular as I have done that and I am going to let those who have never seen the show enjoy it! I am so excited to cross all of these tourist, but wonderful NYC Christmas to-do items off my list. My goal is to do so by January 1st, wish me luck!

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Comments

  1. Kelly says

    Hi Katie, I am so glad you asked! Here are my favorite spots – The Best Food in New York City! Let me know if you go to any of them!

  2. Katie says

    I’m here for a holiday at the moment and I wondered if you had a top 3 of must go to restaurants? We like all cuisines and are willing to travel if necessary!

    Thanks! And Merry Christmas – or Happy Holidays as you Americans say!

  3. Katie says

    I’m here for a holiday at the moment and I wondered if you had a top 3 of must go to restaurants? We like all cuisines and are willing to travel if necessary!

    Thanks! And Merry Christmas – or Happy Holidays as you Americans say!

  22. Kari @ Lipstick Stains &Coffee says

    Great list! The Bergdorf window is so beautiful this year! I’ve passed it a few times casually and it’s just stunning whites and blacks kinda like different moods. The Bendel windows are super cute too. Zoomed past the tree last night and vowed to slow down a bit and appreciate the season. When you live here, you forget to do that 🙂

  25. Kari @ The Kari Diaries says

    Great list! The Bergdorf window is so beautiful this year! I’ve passed it a few times casually and it’s just stunning whites and blacks kinda like different moods. The Bendel windows are super cute too. Zoomed past the tree last night and vowed to slow down a bit and appreciate the season. When you live here, you forget to do that 🙂

  26. Alyssa says

    I have yet to see the tree (not that it’s been lit for long) but my office is right near Bryant Parks, so I’m planning on wandering over to the shops at some point!

  29. Alyssa says

    I have yet to see the tree (not that it’s been lit for long) but my office is right near Bryant Parks, so I’m planning on wandering over to the shops at some point!

  32. Sara says

    Bryant a Park during the holidays is so much fun! You must go and shop. My fav was always seeing the window displays at Macys.

  34. Sara says

    Bryant a Park during the holidays is so much fun! You must go and shop. My fav was always seeing the window displays at Macys.

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