It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

My obsession with the holiday season dates back to when I could barely even talk, so my parents tell me. We’d drive around in December looking at all the houses decorated and I would continuously say “Lights! Lights!”

Christmas in New York City is my absolute favorite. Everything from the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center, to the jaw-dropping window displays at Saks and along 5^th Avenue, and the [relatively new] Christmas markets in Bryant Park and Union Square. It’s cold, but it doesn’t matter. That’s how magical it is.

Europe Does Christmas Right

Being a stone’s throw away from some of the best Christmas markets in the world, I made it my mission to visit as many as I could this holiday season. Grand total: 4…or 5 if I am allowed to count NYC. Here they are in order of preference:

·         Colmar, France: Nestled in the Alsace region, Colmar is a village that looks like it is right out of a storybook. It has a mixed German/French vibe, due to it’s history of being German – then French – then German – then French again after WWII. It’s remained French ever since. Everywhere you turn in Colmar there is a market, there are decorations, there’s mulled wine, and there is fantastic food. It’s like this village was just made for Christmas! And to top things off, just as we were leaving on Sunday, it began to snow – right on cue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         Cologne, Germany: The Germans are the founders of Christmas markets, so skipping Germany was not an option. Cologne has one of the best reputations for markets, and it did not disappoint. A questionably quick (~2.5 hours) train ride from Amsterdam, you step outside the central station and are immediately hit with the stunning cathedral, followed by the endless lights and rows of market stalls. My friend Caroline and I spent the day wandering from market to market around town, picking up small trinkets and tasting all the culinary delights. When in Germany you stick to the 3 main food groups: carbs (pretzels!!!), starch (potato pancakes, or latkes), and sugar (mulled wine).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Amsterdam isn’t known for Christmas markets. In fact, as I understand it, Christmas, historically, is not really a gift-giving holiday in the Netherlands…that is what Sinterklaas is for on 5 December! But, I had to put Amsterdam in the top three – it’s a hometown pride thing. The market that is set up on Museumplein is charming. This market is less about the shopping and more about entertaining. The stalls are mostly food and drinks and there’s a skating rink. Surrounded by the grandeur of the Rijks Museum, and the other museums on Museumplein, the atmosphere is charming and it makes for a great evening activity with friends!

 

 

 

·         Strasbourg, France: The trip to Colmar was really a trip to Strasbourg, the main city in Alsace. Strasbourg was fantastic and I had not gone to the other cities, it would’ve completely satisfied the Christmas market itch. I went with my friends Jonelle and Matt, who had been to both Strasbourg and Colmar before, but during Easter (apparently these towns also go all-out for Easter!). We wandered around enjoying the beautiful scenery, over-the-top decorations, and, of course, the warm pretzels and mulled wine, as one does in a European Christmas market.

 

It’s Christmas Time in the City…

I was lucky to get in a NYC trip earlier in the month. My first stop was to spend time with my family, and my nana in particular. It’s too hard to write, but I’ll just say it is very difficult to watch someone you love and admire deeply slip away. My sister and Alani came up from DC so we could all be together. It was a hard trip, but I am so glad we all got that time together. It was priceless, and I’ll hold onto that moment forever.

 

After the time with my family, I was able to catch up with some of my best friends. I’m pretty sure they think I am nuts, because all of all the things to do in New York, all I wanted was a quiet, cozy dinner in someone’s apartment with good, NYC Chinese food. And that’s exactly what I got J We had a great night with lots and lots of laughs. Love these girls so much!

 

The next day I got to spend all day with one of my best friends, Steph, and celebrate her bday! We had an action-packed to do list that included all our favorite December-in-NYC and general NYC things to do.  Of course a trip to the Bryant Park Christmas market, Rockefeller Center, and Saks topped the list. It was such a fun day gallivanting around the city!

 

 

On Saturday night I headed out to Connecticut for Tara and Barrett’s annual holiday party…except Tara didn’t know I was coming! With Barrett’s help we told Tara we’d create Robot-Dayna and I’d stay up extraaa late in  Amsterdam just so I could FaceTime with the crew when the party started. She never expected I would sneak up behind her – in person – right before the party started. Surprise success! The party was – as always – the holiday event of the season. Rach and Kristen came in from Portland, too! It was a wonderful evening and I got to catch up with so many friends and colleagues throughout the night.

 

The Holidays: Amsterdam Edition

After a marathon weekend, and a 5-hour flight delay due to the snow….everywhere…I found myself back in Amsterdam and headed straight into a marathon week. I landed in what was probably the one window on Monday when planes were able to land. Here’s the thing about snow in Amsterdam: they don’t know how to handle it! I guess I should not have been surprised to see the roads and sidewalks still completely covered in snow and ice on Tuesday morning…but the bike lanes were perfectly ploughed. Only in Amsterdam!
That week was chock full of celebrations. We had the company holiday party at the HEINEKEN Experience, and then the next night I had a really fun Hanukkah celebration with some friends where we introduced two of them to the Festival of Lights.

 

The festivities ended with a fun filled 4-day Christmas weekend. Like Thanksgiving, it was at first a strange decision to make, not going to NY for Christmas Week. But after a whirlwind year, it was so nice to have some quiet time at home. First up: Christmas Eve celebration-turned engagement celebration for two new friends, followed by Christmas dinner at my friend’s Lindsay and Chris. Lindsay and Chris had Chris’ family over as well as a few friends who stayed behind in Amsterdam. It was a truly merry evening with delicious food, games and lots of laughs.

 

Last on the list for the weekend was a ride through the canals of Amsterdam to see the Light Festival. Each year the canals are decorated with light sculptures from artists from around the world. Although it was freezing, it was a beautiful way to end the long weekend.

 

 

 

 

And now? Two days of work this week before saying goodbye to Amsterdam until 2018!  

Hope everyone has enjoyed the holiday season as much as I am. Until next time…