It’s Christmas Time in the City….[archived dec2009]
I am so inspired this “Black Friday” I went out among the crazies …not for the big screen tv’s ,or BOGO’s but, for the experience [however, I did bag a very unexpected bargain at Bath and Body Works before 7am ].As I stepped out the doors the snow was flying and my shopping bag was filled with cinnamon spice candles and luxury lotion in holiday wrap.
While promoting Tracy ’s Trips among the masses I was most taken by a single mom. Amy said I‘m in it for the experience . Exactly I thought ! How many people have said my husband is unemployed ,I’m a single mom ,I don’t have money to shop. New York is too expensive……thus my inspiration for It’s Christmas in the City.
Start out in Rockefeller Center at the Weekend Today Show …bring your signs ,wear antler ears and Santa hats ….donate a pair of mittens or a toy to The Today Show’s Toys for Tots. You may even find yourself dropping your gift into a Santa’s sack held by a celebrity….have your camera phones ready! Grab a famous New York Bagel and coffee from a street vendor.
Watch the ice skaters glide bythe gilded Prometheus’s [another Kodak moment ] Snap a memory in front of the Rockefeller tree [Don’t miss the tree lighting Wed Dec 2nd on NBC 8pm] Last year I captured my Christmas card photo of my “little angels “ in front of the Heralded Angels. Cross the street to St Patrick’s Cathedral and see the crèche and holiness of the season.
For here head to Dylan’s Candy Bar [the world’s largest candy store. Owned by Ralph Lauren’s daughter Dylan ] A great one of a kind gift is the candy time capsule …if you grew up in the 50’s-90’s [Black Jacks to pop rocks] they have a collection of treats to bring back sweet childhood memories. Chilly? Slip into Serendipity and experience “Frozen Hot Chocolate” a staple on Oprah’s favorites [Oprah knows chocolate !] [ I'll admit a unique $$$ drink]They also have a very unique gift shop for the Santa in you. A few doors down you can window shop in the famed “Betsy Johnson “ stocked full of fun crazy fashions in her signature " Betsy style brights "!
Take in the natural winter beauty of Central Park ..don’t miss the skaters at the Wolfe
Ice Rink [think always featured in Christmas movies ] The Tavern on the Green will be twinkling among the trees…..doesn’t have to cost a lot how about a salad and diet coke or dessert and coffee .See Columbus Circle and Strawberry Fields Splurge : Horse and Carriage ride around the park blankets included !
Buy a $7.00 fun pass for the subway to ride all day long. Take the train to Vesey Street and visit the sacred ground zero and the sobering reminder of this American tragedy at St Paul ’s Chapel . Check in on the progress of the 9-11 Memorial. And the Cross formed from the beams of the World Trade Center .
Just steps south of the memorial is the bargain designer mecca “Century 21”
Next take in Lady Liberty from the decks of the always free Staten Island Ferry.
