Is anyone else EXTRA giddy about the holidays this year?!
No matter how old I get, the holidays are still such a magical time. I love it all – the decorations, the shopping, the music, the movies, and most of all spending time with the people I love. If the holidays are anything like the rest of this year, though, they’re (unfortunately) going to fly by.
So in an attempt to enjoy the rest of this year as much as possible, here’s my holiday bucket list.
* watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade
* decorate our apartment
* bake as many Christmas cookies as possible
* listen to the “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Pandora station
* enjoy Aunt Wendy’s famous Pumpkin Crunch Cake on Thanksgiving
* watch all my favorite Christmas movies: Home Alone, Elf, The Holiday, The Santa Clause, etc.
* not wait until the last minute to get gifts
* …but still do the traditional last minute trip to the mall with dad
* skip Black Friday to decorate the house with mom
* DIY at least one gift
* get a new Christmas album (any suggestions??)
* have a cozy holiday dinner with my roommates
* visit Chrissy and Nicole (and baby Owen!) while home for Thanksgiving
* have my parents visit NYC before Christmas
* holidate with Erica and Amanda
* take lots of photos
* walk around the “Christmas-y” parts of the city – Rockefeller, 5th Ave, etc.
* have a FreelyBe holiday party
* eat candy canes and drink lots of hot cocoa
* communion at church on Thanksgiving Eve
* go to PA for our office Christmas party
* kiss someone under the mistletoe
* wear a cheesy Christmas sweater
* ice skating in Bryant or Central Park (I never have!)
* get a picture sitting on Santa’s lap
* donate toys and to a food pantry
* spend real quality time with my family
* drive through a Christmas light show
* get dressed up for holiday parties
* go off the grid/unplug with I’m with my family and friends
* reflect on the past year and make goals for the year ahead
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What’s on your holiday bucket list this year?
This is such a fabulous idea. I cannot wait to do mine!
xox Elizabeth
Hey Gracie! I just wanted to say how much you have inspired me. I am currently a senior in high school and I applied to Baruch College for the fall of 2014 (in the flatiron district). My mom is supportive of my dream to live in New York City but my father is very hesistent. Were your parents supportive of you moving to NYC? Or how did you convince them? I pray everyday that I get into Baruch because that is my ticket to NYC! It has been my dream to live in the city. I dont want to be anywhere else. Im an NYC girl at heart <3
Hey Alexandra! So glad I could be an inspiration to you
Yes, my parents were very supportive of me moving to NYC. However, my situation was pretty different. I had already graduated college and had enough money saved to make the transition completely on my own.
What sort of things is your dad hesitant about? Practical/financial or just how “scary” the city can be? Maybe a visit here would help get you all on the same page!
Thanks so much for replying! We have visited the city a few times(the last time in August) and visited the school that I am applying to. I am a very mature and independent person and he knows that. The school that I applied to is a city college so it is MUCH cheaper than regular schools and has a high quality education. I think the thing that he is hesitant about is the city. It is a big, scary city and I know that. I do realize that when I move there I will have to definitely take extra precautions. What are some of your tips for keeping safe in the city?
At the risk of sounding creepy, can we do one of these things together????
YES PLEASE! seriously, let’s make this happen…
I love all of these things. It’s magical in NYC during Christmas, I’m stoked.
Absolutely doing one of these with you, for the record.
please do! maybe a decorating party at my place with cookies?!
One of my holiday bucket list items is to make it to NYC to see some of the notable holiday spots.
Not sure if that’ll be this year or not but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Other things include sending out our holiday cards on time, spending tons of time with my family in front of the fireplace and playing games, going to Florida to celebrate Christmas with my immediate family. We have ALWAYS done the same thing every year for Christmas and while I love the tradition, my parents, sister and I have decided the four of us will have a low key, just us Christmas in Florida this year. 
those are great ones!
Great list! Some of the things on my holiday bucket list includes: shopping on Black Friday with my sister and mom, baking holiday cookies with my sister, traveling to NYC to see a show and the sights, etc.
What a fun post! I want to do so many of these things!!
Love this! I recently bought the Straight No Chaser Christmas album, and it’s really good!
Chelsey says
Love the bokeh photos! Very pretty
you’ve got a long list girl! my top are: Turkey trot with my dad, watching the parade in my pajamas, making Christmas cookies with my mom, Christmas eve “Night before christmas” reading with my family, and Christmas Eve children’s service at church- totally the best one!
This post just put me in the holiday spirit!
I’m possibly visiting NYC for a couple of days over my winter break. Other than the activities you listed in your bucket list, do you suggest anything else?
Thanks!
Hey Alli!
There are some great outdoor market/festivals during the holidays - my favorites are in Bryant Park and Union Square. I have some other ideas listed here: http://girlmeetslife.com/nyc
let me know if you have any specific questions!
This post is great. I’m super pumped for the holidays!! Kelly Clarkson has a new Christmas album this year that’s really swell.
Let’s go ice skating! I was a figure skater once upon a time. I still love it!
no way! let’s do it!
I’m so excited to say that some of your items are on my list since I’ll be in NYC right before Christmas. I’ve heard the city is so beautiful at Christmas!
This is such a fun idea! I think my list would mostly consist of spending time with my family, eating all the holiday type food, and decorating!
What a beautiful list - I love it! One of my hopes for the Christmas season is to make it down to our local Christmas City of the North Parade, see the Bentleyville lights down on our waterfront, and spend time with my sister and niece after the semester is done!
Amanda says
One of my favorite christmas albums is Dustin Kensrues “This good night is still everywhere”. I have it on vinyl and it is the first thing I play the day after Thanksgiving!
I love your bucket list =) This is my first Christmas missing my dad but I am bound and determined to try real hard to enjoy. He loved Christmas and would want me to continue loving it and who knows, celebrating Christmas in heaven, certainly makes sense =) I love your Macy parade but I’m here to tell you that Detroit does a few nice things and their Thanksgiving parade is one of them!!! I bake too. I so want to visit New York once at Christmas but don’t see that happening this year, a future bucket list. I did just buy tickets to Michael W. Smith’s Christmas concert in Detroit in December….love your pictures.
Hey Susan - sending love and hugs your way! I’m sure your dad would want you to enjoy this holiday season more than ever <3
Love this list! There are so many things I want to do before the holidays and this makes me so excited
One thing to add… build a snow man and make a snow angel!