One of my most lovely, loyal readers Nikki, writes the blog thoselittlemoments.net. She is a long time NYC lover and wrote this gust post about the experience of visiting NYC for Christmas!

Unpopular opinion, but Christmas for me begins in September. As soon as autumn hits, my excitement for Christmas begins to grow and you’ll find me planning all of the Christmas fun. So yes, I am probably the biggest Christmas-obsessed girl you will ever find, but I am also resoundingly a Christmas home bird.

I could never imagine celebrating Christmas anywhere else… Until New York City captured my heart and I just knew I had to experience what I hoped was a magical NYC Christmas in the city.

The city had a very high expectation to meet in delivering a magical Christmas; it had the hopes and dreams of a Christmas-obsessed girl, sacrificing all she’d ever known of her favourite time of year.

From the minute we landed in an incredible city covered in snow, I knew the trip was going to be all I’d dreamed of. I became a 5 year-old child, swept up in the true magic of Christmas all over again.

All of the stereotypes that you see in movies came alive as we walked through the streets of NYC: from the extravagantly decorated windows to the all singing, all dancing Salvation Army collectors. Every street we took brought a new Christmas decoration and every corner we turned brought a new experience.

But more than just the city, the people made is special too. New Yorkers often get a bad rep, but they really did help to make the trip special. Perhaps it was that Christmas magic but everybody seemed filled with happiness. There was a general feeling of positivity and joy. Random strangers wished us “happy holidays” as we walked by them, something that you would never hear in any British city.

As a traditionalist, I was a little worried about making Christmas Day special, but I needed have been. The day began with no real plan and quickly shaped into one of the most unique but memorable Christmases (so far)!

So, what did our Christmas Day in NYC entail?

 A stop by Grand Central Station, which was incredible in itself, but we also stumbled upon a beautiful carol concert taking place in the station, which we listened to while watching the Christmas trains reflected on the walls of the incredible building.

 A stroll through Bryant Park Winter Village, sipping hot apple cider.

 A look at Bloomingdale’s beautiful Christmas window.

 A walk through a snow-covered Central Park alongside people filled with the joy that only Christmas Day provides. And of course, a carriage ride around Central Park in a carriage adorned with all of the tinsel.

 A stroll down Fifth Avenue, taking in the incredible Christmas windows and the smell of roasted chestnuts on every corner. I think it’s safe to say that seeing a Christmas painted car, complete with gifts tied to the top and Santa Claus driving, yelling Merry Christmas as they passed was one of those #onlyinNYC moments.

 Watching the stunning light show at Saks Fifth Avenue.

 Christmas lunch at TGI Fridays, which couldn’t be more different to our tradition, but you know, it was TGI’s!

 Watching the most incredible and magical show I have ever seen – The Radio City Christmas Spectacular! It rose every emotional in me and I shed many tears watching the show, with intermittent gasps of amazement in-between. And without giving anything away, the Nativity!!!

I also need to give an honourable mention to Macy’s Santaland which is just magical. I mean, if I wasn’t a grown adult who is aware of the lies our parents told us as children, Macy’s Santaland could absolutely make me believe all over again.

So, I guess the big question is whether the NYC Christmas cliché really lived up to its hype?

It’s quite clear that it absolutely did! If you don’t add ‘Christmas in NYC’ to your bucket list you will be missing out on one of those life experiences that I truly think everyone should have.

NYC, you make my favourite season even more magical and I will definitely be back time and time again to celebrate with you!

Thank you so much for sharing this, Nikki! Hope to see you in NYC again soon!