When we think of Christmas, it’s easy to imagine staying at home, surrounded by twinkling lights, nostalgic traditions, and the comfort of familiarity. But what happens when you choose to spend the holidays somewhere else? For us, trading our warm Florida home for two weeks in the magical winter wonderland of New York City meant leaving the familiar behind, but we weren’t about to give up the cozy holiday vibes just because we weren’t home.
With a little bit of planning, creativity, and a sprinkle of holiday spirit, we transformed a New York hotel room into our own festive escape, proving that home is truly where you make it—even if you’re halfway across the country.
Christmas in New York: Inspired by Holiday Movie Magic
Our decision to spend the holidays in New York City stemmed from classic Christmas movie inspiration. Think Home Alone 2 and Elf: bustling crowds, ice skating in Central Park, twinkling holiday windows, and towering Christmas trees lighting up the city streets. During our stay, we retraced the footsteps of Kevin McCallister and Buddy the Elf, hitting iconic movie locations like Rockefeller Center, the Plaza Hotel, and even Macy’s at Herald Square.
But while those sparkling moments filled us with holiday cheer, we knew that creating a sense of home amid the city’s magic would make the season even more special. So we packed our bags not just with clothes and jackets but also with our cherished traditions, thoughtful touches, and a bit of cozy Christmas flair.
How We Made a Hotel Room Feel Like Home
Turning a hotel room (or any unfamiliar space) into a festive and cozy holiday retreat may sound tricky, but it’s easier than you’d think! A little planning goes a long way, and for us, the comfort of baking scents, twinkling lights, and personal traditions made all the difference.
Here’s how we created holiday magic in the heart of NYC:
1. Bring a Piece of Holiday Nostalgia With You
Some of the simplest things can evoke those warm, nostalgic emotions of Christmas. For us, it was all about childhood traditions and sentimental keepsakes:
- Specialty German Cookies from My Childhood: A box of Spekulatius and Lebkuchen took me back to cozy holiday mornings as a kid, paired perfectly with hot tea or cocoa on chilly NYC nights.
- Christmas Pajamas: We wore matching Christmas pajamas (the coziest ones ever!), adding a playful and warm touch to every single evening.
Bringing these small but meaningful reminders of home kept us connected to the holiday magic we’ve always loved.
2. Holiday Décor That Packs Easily
You don’t need to pack an actual Christmas tree to bring festive vibes on the road! We made our hotel room twinkle with a few lightweight, portable items:
- Multi-Colored Light Strings: These battery-operated light strings brought an instant Christmas spirit to the windows and our space.
- Themed Tableware and Napkins: Holiday-themed napkins, plates, and cups! Mealtime felt extra special, like Christmas morning breakfast every day.
- A Festive Throw Blanket: My Christmas throw, gifted by one of my best friends, added warmth to every night. Cozying up with it during movie marathons became the perfect evening ritual.
- Holiday Candles, Hand Soaps, and Towels: It sounds simple, but swapping standard hotel items for holiday-scented hand soaps and towels brought the familiar smells and comforts of home into our temporary space.
Each item was small enough to pack but made an outsized impact on our overall experience. It felt like Christmas everywhere we looked.
3. Christmas Comforts: Snacks, Drinks, and Warm Touches
Nothing says “home” like sipping cocoa in your pajamas, snacking on cookies, and having everything you need to recreate cozy holiday traditions:
- Hot Cocoa Packets and Tea Bags: Whether it was a morning pick-me-up or a movie-night essential, these warm drinks gave us a taste of home. Pair them with marshmallows, and you’ve got a winter delight.
- An Edible Gingerbread Kit: One of my favorite surprises came from a gummy building block gingerbread house kit that another of our best friends gifted to us. We set aside one evening to build it while watching Christmas movies, tackling the (sticky!) construction project with plenty of giggles.
- Snacks Galore: Specialty treats, salted nuts, and candies filled our “Christmas pantry.”
4. Create the Ambiance With Music and Movies
What’s Christmas without the sound of holiday music and festive films? Having a saved music and movie holiday playlist packed with our favorite classics made for the perfect soundtrack to decorate our space and unwind after long days of exploring NYC. Highlights included:
- Cozying up in fuzzy hand-knit socks from Grandma while we listened to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas.”
- Diving into Christmas movie marathons (Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause ) while wrapped in our Christmas throw with warm drinks in hand.
Surrounding ourselves with holiday scents, sounds, and visuals felt like Christmas but better because we were in New York!
5. Celebrate With Gifts and Traditions
Being away from home might keep you from a traditional gift exchange under the tree, but we brought a piece of that tradition with us:
- We packed gift bags filled with surprises from friends and family, which we placed neatly in the room like mini holiday treasures.
- On Christmas morning, we opened small keepsakes and thoughtful gifts, savoring each moment as if we were right at home.
Adding this simple tradition helped us bridge the small gap between “holiday at home” and “holiday on the road.”
Our Holiday Takeaway: Anywhere Can Feel Like HOME
When we looked around our hotel room at the end of the second week, it felt entirely our own—warm, inviting, and full of holiday joy. However, while all of these cozy traditions and festive details brought the holidays with us, they can never replace the people, like family and friends, with whom we’d usually share these special moments.
That said, these small touches, from light strings and cookies to cherished gifts and pajamas, made it as close to a perfect Christmas as we could imagine. It reminded us that home doesn’t have to be a fixed place during the holidays. It’s about the love, traditions, and memories you carry with you.
And yes, New York City’s snowy streets, dazzling lights, and movie-famous landmarks added their unforgettable sparkle. But ultimately, it was the mix of sentimental home comforts and NYC’s magic that created the most memorable Christmas we’ve ever spent away from home.
Tips for Bringing Holiday Cheer on the Road:
If you’re planning to create your own Christmas “home away from home,” here’s how to make it happen:
- Pack Light but Impactful Décor: String lights, a festive blanket, and themed tableware add instant holiday charm.
- Lean Into Nostalgia: Bring snacks or traditions you’d miss most at home (like cookies or pajamas).
- Create Ambiance: A holiday playlist and your favorite Christmas movies are a must!
- Gift Bags Add Sparkle: A few small gifts make the holidays feel extra special, even if you’re traveling light.
- Savor the Moment: Whether it’s tea by the window, a snow-covered walk outside, or a joyful gingerbread mishap, these moments become cherished memories.
Final Thoughts: Bringing Holiday Magic Anywhere
Looking back on our Christmas in New York, we’ll always remember the icy streets, twinkling lights, and movie-famous landmarks. But the little things—the light strings, the cookies, and the pajama nights—turned our trip from a holiday in the city into something much more personal: a home full of Christmas magic.
Wherever the holidays take you, remember that the essence of the season is what you choose to bring with you. Go ahead and pack that festive throw blanket!
