I have not been able to have a true Christmas countdown in the longest time. For more most of the last decade, October - January was one of my busiest travel periods. I usually would be flying every single week until Christmas. As you can imagine, this did not leave a lot of time for Christmas celebration build up. Usually I tried to get my shopping done over the summer or on Black Friday. Nate would set up the tree, and we’d try our best to decorate it quickly on a night I was home. We’d spend a few days over Christmas at my parent’s house in NJ, and occasionally, I’d fly out of La Guardia or JFK to my next destination. This year is the first year I can remember that we had time to get ready for Christmas. To set up our tree and actually enjoy it! One thing I really wanted to do this year (in the true 2020 spirit) was to binge my way through holiday movies, particularly those that take place in NYC. I surveyed my Glam in Gotham instagram followers, and they all suggested these movies as the best Christmas in New York holiday films.

This is also the first year that Nate and I will be spending our actual Christmas in New York, I thought it would be a great time to Every year we would spend some time in the city, take our traditional holiday photo at the New York Palace Hotel, and enjoy the city. This year, as we finally live here, I decided to visit the sites of the best Christmas in New York movies! I’ve rounded up my Glam in Gotham Christmas in New York City sites for your enjoyment!

*Happy to be able to enjoy some holiday spirit.*

Elf

Yes, the iconic Will Ferrell movie is most people’s NYC favorite, and certainly the most frequently mentioned when I did an Instagram request for NYC Christmas movies. Who doesn’t think of Buddy screaming, SAAAAANTA when planning for Christmas. Also, can we take a quick moment and remember that Peter Dinklage was in this movie, pre-Game of Thrones? It’s worth a watch just for that. As an iconic Christmas classic at this point, I highly recommend visiting the Empire State Building (where Walter Hobbs, Buddy’s father, has his office), and while you can’t visit the individual Empire Offices, the view from the observation deck is AMAZING.

I also think one of the most iconic scenes is the hilarious revolving door moment. While I don’t recommend doing a spin through (It is a functional office building), the revolving door is at 10 E 33rd Street. My friend Alison and I visited and she did one quick pass through.

Lastly, is there any cuter date in NYC at Christmas time than ice skating at Rockefeller Center? Buddy and Jovie certainly thought so!

Home Alone 2

My personal favorite Christmas movie. Tim Curry as the manager of the Plaza Hotel will never not be amazing. “You’ve been smooching everybody!” Classic. Be sure to visit the iconic outside of the Plaza and Central Park to reminisce about the best NYC Christmas movie of all time, and of course, find your way to Rockefeller Center to share Kevin’s love of Christmas trees. If you want to also enjoy a stay at the Plaza, you can also certainly spend “ $967 ON ROOM SERVICE” though, I really request that everyone waits until COVID is seeing better numbers before you book a stay.

Miracle on 34th

Personally, I think the 1947 version is the best. The heart-warming tale of Santa mixing with the regular people and a court case to prove whether or not he is insane. Massive plugs for both Macy’s and Gimbel’s department stores. Macy’s gives me that nostalgic moment every year, and I think of this movie every time I’m in Herald Square. While Gimbels left the NYC scene on Sept. 27, 1986, Macy’s has somehow weathered and survived, even surpassing Barney’s, Bendel’s, and the short-lived Neiman Marcus. Perhaps that in itself is the real miracle.

New Years Eve

Yes, it’s obviously about New Years Eve and not Christmas, and yes, it has both Katherine Heigl AND Lea Michelle, who are not my particular favorite actresses, but it’s also ultimately uplifting and heartwarming and there is not a single Gerry Marshall movie that isn’t somehow delightful. I’m personally a fan of how they tried to make Michelle Pfeiffer, arguably still one of the most gorgeous women in the world into a mousy secretary. I myself have not made it over to the Queens Museum to see the enormous model of the city yet, it’s absolutely one of my bucket list items. The movie does give a great tour around NYC, including Columbus Circle, Tffany’s, Radio City Music Hall, and of course the ball drop in Times Square.

Serendipity

The obvious place to visit is of course the Serendipity 3 Restaurant. Though temporarily closed, you can get takeout ice cream! Their sundaes are tremendous. The iconic scene in Serendipity is of course, at Bloomingdales where their hands meet over a pair of cashmere gloves. Bloomingdales is magical at Christmastime, and yes, you absolutely can get yourself a pair of gloves! Don’t forget the wedding at the Waldorf! Though the Waldorf Astoria is still closed for renovations, it will hopefully reopen when COVID ends. This photo of the Waldorf clock is from the second to last week they were open before they closed for renovations.

When Harry Met Sally

Also more of a New Years Eve movie, When Harry Met Sally is timeless. From the moment that Sally drops Harry off at Washington Square Park, to her infamous Katz’s Deli scene, I love any excuse to rewatch this movie. (Not to mention the corn beef at Katz’s is everything).

You’ve Got Mail

There is something truly magical about a bookshop Christmas. The Upper West Side is shown at its finest. I have always loved the scene where Tom Hanks discovers who Meg Ryan truly is at Café Lalo. Yes, is this a movie about two people having a little bit of an emotional affair behind their partners’ backs? Yes. Is this a movie where a man completely destroys a woman’s life, catfishes her, and then tricks her into falling in love with him? Yes. Can you visit Café Lalo when it reopens post renovations despite of this? Also, yes. Lol.

Happy Holidays!!

I think the week between Christmas and New Years is a perfect time to either binge movies at home, or if you are in NYC, try to visit some of these fun locations! DM me on instagram @Glam.in.Gotham or comment here if you are able to visit!

Some of my favorite NON-NYC Christmas movies are:

While You Were Sleeping: Aside from a lifelong crush on Bill Pullman, and the knowledge of “leaning,” this movie is one of the most cheer filled movies of all time and makes me smile always.

The Holiday: I loved this movie! I have serious questions though. We make it to New Years and then what?? I need an epilogue, stat.

Love Actually: FYI, I always get Serendipity and Love Actually’s department store scenes confused. Also, Emma Thompson and Laura Linney’s characters deserve better.

Harry Potter: Look. The majority voted that Harry Potter is NOT a Christmas movie, but the contingent that did was extremely vocal.

Die Hard: I am literally just throwing this one in for Nate, but also since it feels like we’re making a collection of Alan Rickman movies, surely this fits.

From my Catholic and Jewish family to yours, we hope that you and your families had a safe and happy holiday!

Xoxo, Mary (and Nate).