We woke to another freezing cold New York day and headed out about 11ish to Whole Foods to get brunch. We walked through Bryant Park – it was so cold the fountain had frozen. I was surprised at how quiet it was for a supermarket on Xmas Eve. We ate and stocked up on a few supplies for Xmas Day, being unsure how easy it would be to find food tomorrow. We dropped the food back at the hotel before heading out for some Xmas shopping.
We didn’t plan on doing too much for Xmas gifts this year, given we were having a big holiday and would be doing a lot of shopping. That said, it didn’t seem right to do absolutely nothing so we got the kids to buy something for each other and I was going to do small stockings for each of them with mainly sweets.
TJ wanted a Star Wars comic book so we went to Mid Town comics first. That done, it was on to American Girl for Greer’s wish list and then to Sermoneta Gloves for me. I had a pair of their leather gloves I had bought years ago but had lost one of them so wanted a replacement pair. Bloomingdale’s was close by so that was next. Sophia couldn’t find anything but I remembered I had something for her from home. Mark found himself a pair of jeans and we decided to head back.
When we arrived back I headed back out by myself to get a few things for the stockings. I went to CVS (a pharmacy but with more) to find sweets but the first one I went to didn’t seem to have anything I was looking for so I headed off to another one which happened to have closed down. Starting to feel disheartened and under time pressure, I finally found a few things at the third one. On the way back I went past a Sugarfina and got them each a little box of sweets. I went to Barnes & Noble for Xmas paper to wrap everything but they were out of tape. Fortunately the Walgreens I went past on the way home had some.
Back at the hotel and time for a very quick rest before getting ready to head out to Radio City Music Hall for the Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular. It was a surprise for the kids, although Sophia had guessed it earlier in the day, we hadn’t confirmed it. We walked there and they were happy (well TJ wasn’t too excited to be fair, but amazing what a few sweets will do). We got some supplies and headed to our seats. We had front row on the First Mezzanine level so it was really easy for everyone to see the show.
Mark and I had been to the show back in 1999 but it has changed a lot and definitely advanced on the technology front with 3D effects, drones and a quite different show. Everyone really enjoyed it.
After the show we walked home via the Christmas Tree at Rockerfeller Plaza and the Bryant Park market for a hot chocolate and donuts, then had a chat to Mum and Dad before the kids went to bed and I played Santa.
