Christmas in New York: Nostalgia, Romance & Holiday Fashion
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My husband, Steven, and I took a pre-Christmas vacation to New York City in December 2025 to celebrate our second wedding anniversary, as well as my sister’s 50th birthday. I was born and raised in NYC, but Steven was not. We met and fell in love in Florida, and we both miss the changing seasons, so it became my mission to experience Christmas in New York with him.
Romantic Holiday Vibes
The timing was perfect since our anniversary is December 3rd, and the tree-lighting ceremony also took place that night. We wound up opting out of standing in the crowd waiting for the tree to be lit and saw it the next day instead. Our feet and chilled bodies thanked us for it! Instead, we watched the ceremony on an iPad, snuggled up together on our hotel room bed with snacks, while the sounds of the city came through the window. Pedicabs played Christmas music, mixing with the loud honking of horns.
During our two-night stay in Times Square, we went up to the 86th Observation Deck of the Empire State Building, saw Aladdin on Broadway and got a backstage tour, ate at some awesome vegan-friendly quick-bite spots, had frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3, and walked around Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza. We also took the Staten Island Ferry to my homeland (haha) so Steven could see the Statue of Liberty.
Nostalgia with Friends & Family
We split the rest of our trip between time with family and friends in Staten Island and New Jersey. After taking the Staten Island Ferry, we opted for the city bus from the terminal — a true trip down memory lane. It was the exact bus I used to take home from high school, which gave me the chance to point out different places from my teenage years. By the time we reached our hotel, we were freezing and exhausted, so we stayed in and ordered pizza from Bario’s.
The next day, we visited the cemetery to say hello to my mom, grandparents, great-grandparents, and many other relatives buried there. I was grateful that Steven could finally come with me to “meet” my mom. Later, we met up with my sister, Suzie, for dinner and spent the evening hanging out at her place.
Another day was spent in Red Bank, New Jersey, with my best friends Danielle and Mike and their kids. We played nostalgic arcade games and rode the free holiday trolley that runs this time of year. We wrapped up our time with family by celebrating my sister Cindy’s 50th birthday over dinner with my aunts and family friends. It was wonderful to see everyone.
Holiday Fashion Staples
One thing that really excited me about our trip was my outfits — and Steven’s too! Living in Florida, some winter styles are too warm or just feel weird to wear when the sun is out and it’s 75 degrees. My holiday fashion season ends all too quickly in the Sunshine State, so I take any opportunity I can get to style cute holiday outfits. Believe it or not, I didn’t even have to buy a whole new wardrobe. Aside from a winter coat (since I no longer owned one), I bought two dresses and a belt I’d been eyeing on SHEIN — but everything else I already owned.
As for Steven, I made sure to pick up a few flannels and Henleys for him, since most of his wardrobe consists of t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, and plain collared shirts he wears to work.
I thought it would be fun to share my list of holiday fashion essentials that always come through in a pinch, year after year.
1. Belt
I love a good belt. The right one can take an otherwise bland outfit and instantly jazz it up — or make it look festive, like this red bow belt did for me.
2. Plaid Skirt
Plaid always screams Christmastime to me! This black-and-white one is perfect for the holidays, but I’ve also worn it in the fall by pairing it with an orange top, and I’m sure I could make it work for St. Patrick’s Day with a green top. It’s cute year-round, but it always comes through when I’m looking to create a holiday outfit.
3. Boots
Tall or short, flat or heeled — you can never go wrong with a good pair of boots. I brought my black combat boots because they didn’t take up much room, were the comfiest pair I own, and look cute with my black polka-dot tights (see next item!).
4. Tights
Tights can be annoying. As little girls, we hated wearing them, but nowadays leggings exist, adding extra warmth and comfort. Torrid makes some insanely cute options that go sheer mid-thigh, with fun patterns like these polka-dot ones. I also have spider web tights for spooky season, Little Mermaid ones, and heart patterns. There’s nothing especially holiday-specific about tights, but they add a splash of dressiness and cuteness that feels holiday-esque.
5. Red or Green Top/Dress
When all else fails, just throw on a red or green top or dress — or anything sparkly!
Even though I grew up in Staten Island and spent part of my adult life living in Queens, it’s still nice to play tourist in Manhattan. At the same time, trips like this remind me that while New York will always feel like home, I don’t think I could ever live there again. Some places are simply perfect for visiting, and New York is one of them — especially at Christmas time!
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