10 Christmas Activities In NYC

Are you looking for things to do to celebrate the season in New York City? Look no further, baby. These are a few of my favourite things to do in December in NYC.

1. The Holiday Train Show

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2. Take a photo with the accurate-looking, old timey Santa at Macy’s, The Plaza or The Queens Center Mall.

3. Eat at The Plaza Food Hall (specifically for their Lady M outpost). Kids might enjoy the Rawther Fancy Teas with Santa, an hour-long tea party in the Eloise Shop (dates/details through the link).

Photo Credit: The Plaza

4. Eat the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3 or if you hate waiting in line, they also sell take-home versions that you can make at home.

Photo Credit: Dish Maps

5. See The Rockettes, finally.

Photo Credit: The New York Times

6. Visit the Christmas markets at The Union Square Holiday Market, The Bryant Park Winter Village, and The Columbus Circle Holiday Market.

7. Visit the best Little Italy in this town, Arthur Avenue in the Bronx

8. Go ice skating in Central Park.

9. Holiday Train Show at Grand Central (yes, there are two train shows on this list - but this one is free and smaller than #1).

Photo Credit: Grand Central Terminal

10. See The Phantom of the Opera before it’s gone forever.

Photo Credit: Gothamist

You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

“If you want to have crazy dreams while you sleep, put some coconut oil on your face. I swear to you this works.”

Turtle Doves Ornaments

If you know someone who's overly into Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (who isn't?), this is probably the best gift you could give them. I got them for Nathan a few years ago and they make a yearly appearance now on our Christmas tree. I'm pretty sure there are a few places online you can buy them, but the easiest would probably be on Amazon for $20 for the the pair. 

Stocking Stuffer of the Day

Ignoring the fact that The Spatty could use a slightly more professionally-done video, this would be a perfect small gift to give any makeup-loving friend of yours. The set of two is available for $11 on their site and at select Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond stores.

Mom Says

“Knock three times on wood after mentioning good fortune so evil spirits won’t ruin it.”

Girls Season Five Trailer

As complicated as my relationship is with this show, why the balls is it not premiering in January? Haven't they always started in January? Does that month delay mean that they'll have an adequate amount of time to make each character* somewhat entertaining this season? Let's hope!

*Obviously not talking about Elijah here, as he is perfect.

(Also, that song is Colors by Genevieve)

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

— Jacques Cousteau

Stocking Stuffer of the Day

This is probably the cutest small gift (or stocking stuffer) that you could get someone who cooks a lot. Available at Crate & Barrel for $4.95.

10 Things To Do Before Christmas

I know that I'm still working on my autumn list of things to do, but here's the thing - autumn and Christmastime kind of overlap since the first day of winter is December 21st (did you think it was in November? 'Cause I did up until MAYBE last year). Anyway, Christmastime is happening and Imma get all up in it this year. Here's what I want to do. 

1. Have drinks at the Waldorf Astoria. I've only done this once before and it was beautifully decorated for the holidays, so I really want to go again. (Update: since it’s 2022 and the Waldorf is still under construction - a better suggestion would be The Plaza or The Peninsula.)

2. Bake those cupcakes with the ice cream cone Christmas tree because those look badass.

3. Donate any old blankets, clothes & shoes (if you have kids, it might be a good idea to donate some of their old toys).

4. Mail our (personalized) Christmas cards. It'd be weird if this didn't happen.

5. Look for local Christmas fairs to visit (like these in New York or these in Toronto).

6. Decorate the house and put up the tree!

7. Wear new pajamas on Christmas morning.

8. Go see the decorations at The Plaza Hotel & Macy's.

9. Buy some mistletoe at Trader Joe's.

10. Take a family portrait.

I encourage you to make a list of your own, not because I love lists but because if you do make one, then you're likely to actually complete some of these things and have a memorable December.

You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

December & Netflix

WARNING: DECEMBER IS TOMORROW! And all that means to me is that people can't give me any more grief about any of the Christmas-y stuff I want to partake in. They can't say a damn word! That's right, losers! Christmastime is ON.

Okay, now onto the real post. Here's what coming and going on Netflix in December.

Available 12/1
#DeathToSelfie (2014)
30 for 30: Chasing Tyson (2015)
50 Shades of THEY: Season 1
A Christmas Star (2015)
A Genius Leaves the Hood: The Unauthorized Story of Jay Z (2014)
Amnesiac (2015)
Broadchurch: Season 2
CBGB (2013)
Christmas Wedding Baby (2014)
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004)
Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)
Darkman (1990)
Detectorists: Season 1
I'm Brent Morin -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Jenny's Wedding (2015)
Las mágicas historias de Plim Plim: Season 1
Ray (2004)
Real Rob: Season 1 (2015) -- NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE
See You In Valhalla (2015)
Sensitive Skin: Season 1
Starting Over: Season 1
Stir of Echoes (1999)
Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming (2007)
That Touch of Mink (1962)
Tyke: Elephant Outlaw -- NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE
Winning Life’s Battles: Season 1
Available 12/2
Stations of the Cross (2014)
Tangerine (2015)
Available 12/3
Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (2015)
Available 12/4
A Very Murray Christmas (2015)-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Comedy Bang! Bang!: Season Four
Available 12/5
A Case of You (2013)
Dinosaur 13 (2014)
Inside Man: Season Three
Available 12/7
Vampire Academy (2014)
Available 12/8
One & Two (2015)
Phoenix (2014)
Xenia (2014)
Available 12/9
Phineas and Ferb: Season 4
Trailer Park Boys: Drunk, High And Unemployed Live In Austin (2015) -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Available 12/11
The Adventures of Puss in Boots: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The Ridiculous 6 (2015) -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Available 12/14
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Available 12/15
Drown (2014)
Hart of Dixie: Season 4
High Profits: season 1
Time Out of Mind (2014)
Available 12/16
Fresh Dressed (2015)
Helix: Season 2
Available 12/18
F is for Family: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Glitter Force: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Making A Murderer: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Mike Epps: Don't Take It Personal -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Available 12/19
chloe and theo (2015)
Available 12/20
Leo the Lion (2013)
Magic Snowflake (2013)
Santa's Apprentice (2010)
Available 12/21
El Señor de los Cielos: Season 3
Available 12/22
Queen of Earth (2015)
Available 12/23
Invisible Sister (2015)
Available 12/24
Dawn of the Croods: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Available 12/25
Black Mirror “White Christmas” Episode
Available 12/28
Maron: Season 3
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Season 5
Available 12/30
Parenthood: Season 6
Available 12/31
Battle Creek: Season 1
Manhattan Romance (2014)
Violetta: Season 3
Nurse Jackie: Seasons 1-7

Here's what's leaving next month:
Leaving 12/1
All About Eve (1950)
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Season 1 (2012)
Batman Begins (2005)
Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)
Brian's Song (1971)
Brian's Song (2001)
The Brothers Grimm (2005)
The Burbs (1989)
Cop Land (1997)
Damien: Omen II (1978)
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Employee of the Month (2006)
Forces of Nature (1999)
Get Low (2009)
The Great Escape (1963)
The Guardian: Season 1-3
The High and the Mighty (1954)
The Hustler (1961)
Insomnia (2002)
Juice (1992)
K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
Labyrinth (1986)
Last Night (2010)
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002)
Left Behind: The Movie (2000)
Left Behind: World at War (2005)
Modern Problems (1981)
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Necessary Roughness (1991)
The Omen (1976)
Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981)
The Paw Project (2013)
The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly (2008)
R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It (2007)
Shrink (2009)
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Soapdish (1991)
Trek Nation (2011)
Two Can Play That Game (2001)
Leaving 12/4
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally (2010)
Leaving 12/6
360 (2011)
The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure (2012)
Leaving 12/9
C.O.G. (2013)
Leaving 12/10
Ultimate Spider-Man: Season 2
Leaving 12/11
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Season 2
Rescue Me: Season 1-7
Leaving 12/12
Why Did I Get Married? (2007)
Leaving 12/13
How to Build a Better Boy (2014)
Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers (2011)
Leaving 12/15
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
Leaving 12/17
Underclassman (2005)
Leaving 12/21
Red Hook Summer (2012)
Leaving 12/24
Una Noche (2012)
Leaving 12/30
Bronies: The Extremely Unexpected Adult Fans of My Little Pony (2013)