In this post – things to do in NYC at Christmas, last-minute gift ideas, and a peek at our Christmas decor.
NYC at Christmas
We just returned from a five day trip to NYC and once again the Big Apple did not disappoint. There were dinners, a Broadway show and several trips to a local Irish pub, interspersed with some shopping. Fun! We’ve been on this trip many times (a work-related event for my husband) and each year our experience is unique.
This was certainly the coldest weather we’ve experienced there. Our California bodies are not cut out for temps in the teens and twenties! There was a lot of bundling up before heading outside. We even had snow the last day we were there, which of course meant it took several hours longer to get home, thanks to flight delays and plane de-icings.
Favorite Christmastime Things to Do and See in NYC
While I’m definitely NOT a local or a professional tour guide, I can share some of my favorite tourist things to do and see if you’re ever in midtown Manhattan in December. Of course, there are fantastic sights to see all over the city. The ones mentioned below are all conveniently located within walking distance of one another.
- Rockefeller Center – this one is a no-brainer. If you’ve not seen the ice rink and huge Christmas tree, it’s a must. I recommend going on a weekday during the day because it gets super crowded nights and weekends. I’m not much of an ice-skater, but if you are you’ll need to make a reservation ahead of time and prices vary depending on the date and time.
- Department store window displays – each year the large department stores midtown create incredible window displays. The website New York, Dearest has a fantastic guide to holiday window displays.
- Saks 5th Avenue holiday light show – if you’re willing to brave the crowds, the annual holiday light show at Saks department store is a sight to behold. Located across from Rockefeller Center, the show is set to music and is different every year.
- Tavern on the Green – we love to have brunch at Tavern on the Green when we’re in town. The restaurant is located in a former sheep barn on the west side of Central Park. The food is delicious, the service is superb, and it’s particularly beautiful all decked out at Christmastime. Be sure to get a reservation well in advance.
- Ice Skating in Central Park – although I’ve not done this yet, it’s on my list. Rather than brave the crowds at Rockefeller Center, I’d rather skate at the larger Wollman rink with views of the city skyline. This is another venue that requires tickets, although tickets are much less expensive and easier to get than at Rockefeller.
- Plaza Hotel – the only way to visit the inside of the Plaza Hotel these days is to be a hotel guest or have dining reservations. Having tea at the Palm Court at the Plaza is on my bucket list.
- The Rockettes – I’m including this not because I’ve seen the show but because it’s a beloved tradition for a lot of people. I’m more of a Broadway theater person, but if dancing shows are your jam, you will probably love their Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
- Catch a Broadway show – if you love live theater you definitely need to see a show on the great white way. This trip we saw “Just in Time” at the Circle in the Square theater, located below the “Wicked” theater. It was unlike any show we’ve seen so far. Starring Tony Award-winner Jonathan Groff, it’s the story of the life of singer/actor Bobby Darrin. The theater itself is shaped like a horseshoe and the actors move between two stages in the front and the back of the theater, with cocktail tables located on the floor in the middle. We were excited to see that Sarah Hyland, who played eldest daughter Hailey on the show Modern Family, is one of the stars of the show. We really enjoyed it!
- Shopping – well, of course! Where else can you shop at Saks, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf-Goodman, Macy’s and Nordstrom in the same afternoon? Even if you’re only there to look, the department stores decorated for the holidays are a must-see. The Macy’s Herald Square store on West 34th street is huge and even has a working 100-year-old wooden escalator!
Last Minute Gift Ideas
In case you’re still not done with your holiday shopping (raises hand) I have some fun recommendations for last minute gifts. All of these items are things I’ve either purchased for myself or as gifts for friends and family. I don’t receive any compensation for recommending any of these gifts – I just like them and I thought you might too!
Gifts for Staying Cozy
UGG has a lot of cute hat and scarf sets this year. This matching UGG hat and scarf duo saved my life in New York last week. It was cold!
The cashmere tech touch gloves are perfect for keeping your hands warm while still allowing you to use your phone. It’s annoying to have to keep taking your glove on and off and with these on you won’t have to.
The Ralph Lauren vest is my newest favorite piece of outerwear. It’s perfectly tailored and has beautiful corduroy details on the collar and along the hems.
The cozy bow sweater is soft and chunky, making it perfect for chilly days. The bow adds a fun holiday detail.
Gifts and Gadgets, Etc.
Fun gadgets make great gifts, and this Pura car diffuser is perfect for those who like to keep their cars smelling fresh. It’s rechargeable too! You can buy different refill cartridges, including the popular Volcano scent that makes your call smell like Anthropologie.
An electric wine dispenser is the perfect gift for your wine-loving friends. It aerates the wine as it dispenses – so convenient!
It’s no secret that I’m a Ralph Lauren fan and these cozy Polo Bear logo socks are perfect for anyone. They make a great stocking stuffer.
I recently became a fan of Ilia mascara because my eyes are sensitive to other brands. This mascara duo gift set is a great way to try out two of their formulas.
And last but not least, this Replica perfume sampler set has been my favorite gift to myself this year. (See this post.) I’ve been wearing their warm and spicy Jazz Club scent on repeat this winter.
Mixed Metal Jewelry
I love gold and silver jewelry, especially together. This pretty long interlock necklace is a recent find at Kate Spade. I love the interlocking gold and silver rings.
Lauren Ralph Lauren makes these pretty sculptural bangles. They have a clasp so they’re easy to get on and off. You can wear them individually or as a mixed-metal stack.
These double hoop earrings with pave crystals from J. Crew are perfect to wear to a party or just around town. They give the illusion of two styles and will easily coordinate with other jewelry.
I have a hard time finding rings that fit because I have large hands. I love these Nura crossover rings by Monica Vinader. They’re sculptural and modern and come in extended sizes.
Bags & Wallets
It’s fun to buy someone a nice bag or wallet that they might otherwise not treat themselves to.
For the fashion-forward set, the brand Kate Spade has nice entry-level designer bags and wallets. This popular Morgan matchbook wallet is a fun design. The zipper pull is a matchstick – so cute!
For everyday use, this small black bifold wallet from Kate Spade will easily slip into most small purses, including the classic Liv shoulder bag, also by Kate Spade.
For the COACH lover in your life, how about a decorative chain they can hang on their bag for a little extra bling? (For more on this trend, see this post.)
Last but not least, J. Crew has created the perfect slouchy suede evening bag with a pretty gold chain strap. It also comes in a warm walnut color.
In case you missed it
In the latest post I shared how to get a full-looking mantel garland by using these nifty Command garland hangers. You can see the full post here. Seriously, these hooks are a game changer!
When the Decorating is Done
There comes a time during the month of December where I decide enough Christmas decor is enough. I love putting up the decorations, but I have to remind myself that I will have to take them down again, which is much less fun. For me, there’s a fine line between decor and clutter. Do you keep decorating right up until Christmas or do you have a hard stop date? Let me know in the comments! I’m curious.
At this point, I’m done decorating. This is our third Christmas in our “new” smaller Bay Area home, and I think I finally have the Christmas decor dialed in. It takes a few years to really get to know a new home.
It was fun decorating our new smaller flocked artificial tree. Instead of putting all of our ornaments on it, I chose the ones that were more neutral in color, plus all of our red Santa ornaments. Neutral glass ornaments, brown velvet bows and soft brown metallic hydrangea stems filled in any gaps.
New eBook!
I’ve created an eBook full of tips for organizing and storing Christmas decor after the holidays. You can download it here, or head to the post for more details. I hope you find it helpful come January or whenever you “undecorate”!
That’s it for B2B Weekend Vibes 2025!
I hope you and your loved ones have a happy and healthy holiday season. I look forward to more fun From the Bay to the Beach in 2026! Happy New Year!
