New York holiday shopping is more than commerce. It is part of the American holiday story. When people think of a New York holiday trip, many of their plans were inspired by scenes from beloved movies. So with that in mind, let’s look at some quintessential New York holiday activities for folks traveling in the Big Apple.
Remember the skating scene in the movie Elf?
Rockefeller Center - The Rockerfeller Center skating rink is an extravagant display of Christmas exuberance. The giant Christmas tree lights up the week after Thanksgiving as it has for the last 80 years. People flock there to see the display and take in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular the famous, high-kicking Rockettes, a show that has sold out for more than 70 years straight. And if you have seen Rockerfeller Center in a film, you probably have seen people skating around the ice rink that provides outdoor winter fun from October to March.
Remember the big New York department stores in movies from Macy’s in Miracle on 34th Street to Bloomingdale’s in Serendipity?
The idea of big department stores started in the 1800’s but it wasn’t until the 1920’s that Macy’s moved to its Herald Square location and began it’s Christmas holiday parade. Now, the Macy’s Parade is considered the start of the Christmas season. Department stores were a convenience essential to modern urban life in the 20th Century, where shopping had to be mostly done in person, and where holiday purchases were often done in a single, mad rush often in the last few days before the big day. What would you do if there is just one pair of gloves left? Would you call it “serendipity?”
Care to dance on a Big keyboard surrounded by the most amazing toys in the world?
Fifth Avenue is home of some of the most famous names in luxury shopping. People walk into FAO Schwartz and get wide-eyed like any kid in a toy store. You can find just about any toy you want there, including, if you have the cash, luxury gifts like a$1500 Jeweled Classic Etch-A-Sketch. For those with more sophisticated tastes in jeweled gifts, Tiffany & Company is another Fifth Avenue mecca for holiday gifts.
After all the shopping, how about that orgasmic sandwich you saw in When Harry Met Sally.
Holiday shopping is hard and a person wanting to load up on some hearty food. Fortunately, New York is home to more fabulous deli’s than any place in the world. Katz’s Deli, featured in When Harry Met Sally, has been one of the best delis in town since the 1880s. Delis are not fancy in decor, but they are fabulous on food.