Last night they lit the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. I was way more sad than I should have been. After a lot of thought, I decided that I would not be traveling to Jersey for Christmas. There are too many factors to get into, but ultimately, I decided that staying in North Carolina was what was best for me & the monsters and my sanity. And also my wallet. I'm looking forward to seeing how I celebrate in my own way. But I still feel like I'm missing a little piece of myself this year.
I always say Christmas is my favorite holiday but maybe that's not entirely true. It just happens to be the holiday where all my favorite things seem to coincide: cookies, cousins, & the city.
First, the cookies. My mom makes a TON of Christmas cookies every year. Her record is like 3,100 or something like that. Pretty epic. If you've ever been to my house around the holidays, you know what I'm talking about.
The cousins: I may be Italian, but long story short, I don't hang with my blood relatives. Instead, my family spends every Christmas Eve at my Aunt's (aka my mom's BFF for 30+ years). THAT is my family. Unfortunately as we've all grown up and gotten older, Christmas Eve is the only day we can really get everyone together. I have no doubt in my mind that I'll get a phone call and the phone will get passed around so I can say hi to everyone. But it's not the same as being there with everyone in their comfy dress clothes, awesome socks (because really, who doesn't have awesome Christmas socks ?) the fire and the old school Christmas music that just happens to know and change with the mood in the room accordingly. There's also separating the Christmas presents. I actually think it might be time to start passing that tradition down to the younger generations soon and I hope I don't miss the hand off !
Obviously we can't forget my Uncle's AWESOME Shirley Temples (I don't drink) and the Feast of the Seven Fishes (or as close to it as we can get). Basically, food.
And my favorite part...the city. New York City. The Empire State. The City that Never Sleeps. Probably one of my favorite places in the world. [I should mention that I can't actually be there for more than 24-48 hours before I go insane from all the things.] Every year, for as long as I can remember, I go into the city to see the tree. It's my favorite part.
Usually I end up taking the train or the PATH in because I'd have to be certifiable to attempt to drive in. And honestly I love walking in the city. Which is good since I'm either getting in around Madison Square Garden or 23rd & 6th. I could stay on longer and get closer to Midtown, but I like walking up 5th Ave and seeing the Empire State Building before cutting over to Times Square. Let's not forget about about 42nd & Broadway and seeing the signs for all the shows ! [Shameless plug: One of the guys I worked with my freshman year of college is starring in Honeymoon in Vegas with Tony Danza...you should go see Rob be awesome !]
Then it's up 5th to go by Tiffany & Co and pretend to be Audrey Hepburn (don't even lie-you've all done it), FAO Schwarz to be a big kid and also relive "Big" with Zoltar and the giant piano, HAVE to check out the Christmas displays at Saks because they're just too detailed not to, and even though I'm agnostic, still stop in St. Patrick's Cathedral because the architecture is just breathtaking.
And let's not forget that there's the EPIC NYC Public Library with the lion statues, MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), the M&M store (a personal favorite), some of the best knock-off purses, original street art and basically anything anyone could ever want to see/do ever. I never seem to have enough time for the Museum of Natural History though. Sigh. And of course: the tree. The most picturesque part of NYC during the holiday's, highlighted only by the ridiculous amount of people face planting and ass planting on the ice rink. And yes, I always see someone get proposed to. Amateurs.
I could keep going, but I think you get the idea. The idea that walking around a city that makes your adrenaline pump with all the possibilities of things you could/can/will do. The miles and miles of twinkle lights that make the city almost magical. Knowing that when you're done, you can go home, curl up in front of the fire with some hot chocolate (or tea or coffee or whatever) and have some pretty epic stories. It just makes me happy.
So yeah, I guess I feel like a little part of me is missing this year. My heart misses the city. Here's hoping I can find some of that magic down here in the south this year.
I always say Christmas is my favorite holiday but maybe that's not entirely true. It just happens to be the holiday where all my favorite things seem to coincide: cookies, cousins, & the city.
First, the cookies. My mom makes a TON of Christmas cookies every year. Her record is like 3,100 or something like that. Pretty epic. If you've ever been to my house around the holidays, you know what I'm talking about.
The cousins: I may be Italian, but long story short, I don't hang with my blood relatives. Instead, my family spends every Christmas Eve at my Aunt's (aka my mom's BFF for 30+ years). THAT is my family. Unfortunately as we've all grown up and gotten older, Christmas Eve is the only day we can really get everyone together. I have no doubt in my mind that I'll get a phone call and the phone will get passed around so I can say hi to everyone. But it's not the same as being there with everyone in their comfy dress clothes, awesome socks (because really, who doesn't have awesome Christmas socks ?) the fire and the old school Christmas music that just happens to know and change with the mood in the room accordingly. There's also separating the Christmas presents. I actually think it might be time to start passing that tradition down to the younger generations soon and I hope I don't miss the hand off !
Obviously we can't forget my Uncle's AWESOME Shirley Temples (I don't drink) and the Feast of the Seven Fishes (or as close to it as we can get). Basically, food.
And my favorite part...the city. New York City. The Empire State. The City that Never Sleeps. Probably one of my favorite places in the world. [I should mention that I can't actually be there for more than 24-48 hours before I go insane from all the things.] Every year, for as long as I can remember, I go into the city to see the tree. It's my favorite part.
Usually I end up taking the train or the PATH in because I'd have to be certifiable to attempt to drive in. And honestly I love walking in the city. Which is good since I'm either getting in around Madison Square Garden or 23rd & 6th. I could stay on longer and get closer to Midtown, but I like walking up 5th Ave and seeing the Empire State Building before cutting over to Times Square. Let's not forget about about 42nd & Broadway and seeing the signs for all the shows ! [Shameless plug: One of the guys I worked with my freshman year of college is starring in Honeymoon in Vegas with Tony Danza...you should go see Rob be awesome !]
Then it's up 5th to go by Tiffany & Co and pretend to be Audrey Hepburn (don't even lie-you've all done it), FAO Schwarz to be a big kid and also relive "Big" with Zoltar and the giant piano, HAVE to check out the Christmas displays at Saks because they're just too detailed not to, and even though I'm agnostic, still stop in St. Patrick's Cathedral because the architecture is just breathtaking.
And let's not forget that there's the EPIC NYC Public Library with the lion statues, MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), the M&M store (a personal favorite), some of the best knock-off purses, original street art and basically anything anyone could ever want to see/do ever. I never seem to have enough time for the Museum of Natural History though. Sigh. And of course: the tree. The most picturesque part of NYC during the holiday's, highlighted only by the ridiculous amount of people face planting and ass planting on the ice rink. And yes, I always see someone get proposed to. Amateurs.
(I saw this on giphy and had a WTF moment)
I could keep going, but I think you get the idea. The idea that walking around a city that makes your adrenaline pump with all the possibilities of things you could/can/will do. The miles and miles of twinkle lights that make the city almost magical. Knowing that when you're done, you can go home, curl up in front of the fire with some hot chocolate (or tea or coffee or whatever) and have some pretty epic stories. It just makes me happy.
So yeah, I guess I feel like a little part of me is missing this year. My heart misses the city. Here's hoping I can find some of that magic down here in the south this year.
Hoping you can create some new and wonderful traditions in NC for the holidays this year, though you will surely be missed here in NJ :)
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you are feeling homesick... but you are getting me excited for my small trip to NYC! I am totally going to pretend to be Audrey. I might even put my hair in a bun and wear some pearls, cause whyyy not.
ReplyDelete