Trees, Trinkets, & Treats: A Guide to the Holidays in NYC

As other times of the year, the holidays in New York City offer a myriad of activities for every taste and interest. Unless you have the ability to produce an army of clones to scatter about the city, it is impossible to visit every attraction during the next two weeks. So choose wisely how you wish to spend the remaining two weeks of the year. I'm going to take you through just a few of the plethora of sights and events the city has to offer.

Holiday Trees

Origami Tree from AMNH website

All over the city giant evergreens are brought in from all over the world, like the 74-foot Norwegian Spruce that graces Rockefeller Center flanked by trumpeting angels and draped from top to bottom with eco-friendly LED lights. Though this may be the most "famous" tree in Manhattan, the 104 balsam firs that line Park Avenue from 45th Street to 96th Street have been lit since 1945, in remembrance of those who lost their lives during World War II.


If you're looking for something that's more than just a pretty sight, visit the Seaport Chorus Tree whose lights flash in time to music every evening. If you visit during the day on weekends, you'll be serenaded by choruses from around the city. Or you can stop by the Museum of Natural History to view the Origami Holiday Tree. The folding of the origami ornaments begin in July and this year features the world's largest animals.

Holiday Trinkets

If you want to avoid the mega departments stores and are looking for something unique to gift, check out the holiday pop up markets around the city. Visit the shops at Bryant Park for everything from cheddar caramel kettlecorn to a life sized pewter Darth Vader figure to animal paw mittens. Similar markets have sprung up in Union Square and Columbus Circle, through Urban Space which specializes in showcasing independent artists, chefs and designers. If shopping in the cold doesn't suit you, check out the holiday fair tucked away in Grand Central Terminal. With over 70 vendors to browse through, you'll be sure to find that perfect little gift. Brooklynites can pop over to Skylight One Hanson (Brooklyn Flea's indoor winter home) to peruse the crafts and creations of over 100 local artisans.

Holiday Treats

What would a holiday be without some delicious sweets! In a city as diverse and populated, one can find any treat your stomach desires. For instance, if you wanted to get an authentic Bûche de Nöel or Yule Log, you would trek out to Elmhurst, Queens and visit Cannelle Patisserie for the traditional French Christmas dessert. If you're in the neighborhood, you should drop by La Neuva Bakery in Jackson Heights for a couple alfajores, a classic Argentine Christmas dessert that consists of gooey dulce de leche sandwiched between two buttery, crumbly biscuits. For those who don't have much of a sweet tooth, pick up beigli from Andre's Bakery in Forest Hills. A traditional Hungarian Christmas specialty (pictured above), a bittersweet dessert made of rolled dough filled with ground poppy seeds, raisins and honey. Still too sweet? How about trying the Italian Panettone, a fluffy sweet bread with hidden candied orange and raisins, which you can pick up at Grandaisy's Bakery.


Naturally, we can't forget the German stollen...after all, this is where ol' St. Nick is originally from, though the Dutch may say his origins lie with Sint Nikolas. Blaue Gans offers the dense fruitcake drizzled with vanilla icing or dusted with some powdered sugar. Although, if you asked the Norwegians, they may say that the modern day Santa Claus came from an elf named Tomte who delivered presents around Christmas time. Rivalry aside, Nordic Deli in Bay Ridge has four different kinds of Christmas cookies from Scandinavia. Whatever your holiday desires are, you can be sure to find a place in the city to indulge in it.


Tell us about your Holiday adventures in the the city! Which Christmas Tree is the fairest of them all? Did you pick up a special little novelty at the holiday market? Did you discover a new favorite holiday dessert from another country?