Stephanie A.Culture Editor & WriterFounding MemberWell, the holidays are here again. While December looks different all across the US, the classic images of snowfall, twinkling lights, and hot chocolate are synonymous with this time of year. Whether through actually visiting the City that Never Sleeps, or just by absorbing an influx of holiday movies, perhaps nowhere does a classic Christmas better than the Big Apple. When laying under a mountain of blankets and watching Miracle on 34th Street or Serendipity, you might feel yourself longing to be in New York City for the holidays. With the current global pandemic, it’s not likely that you’ll get to visit. Fear not! We’ve rounded up five of the jolliest ways to help satisfy your New York City wanderlust. 

Movies and Books.

The weather outside is frightful, and so are the surging numbers of COVID19 cases, unfortunately. It’s never been a better time to cozy up on the couch with some popcorn and booze as you watch flicker of the TV screen or turn on the roaring fire while quietly turning the pages of a novel. Cinema and literature have the power to transport us, and thankfully for New York lovers, there are plenty of films and books made about New York. This should be the year that you finally watch (or re-watch) Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Serendipity, and New Year’s Eve.Looking to get literary this holiday season? Check out:City on Fire/ Garth Risk HallbergOpen City/ Teju ColeCity of Girls/ Elizabeth GilbertAge of Innocence/ Edith WhartonWashington Square/ Henry JamesBodega Dreams/ Ernesto QuinonezAnd of course,The Great Gatsby/ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nosh on This. 

Ask people what they remember about their trip to New York, and you’re likely to hear one answer before all others - the food. Did you know that many of New York City’s most iconic restaurants (and some more boutique ones) deliver nationwide? Through Goldbelly, you can choose from over 2,000 different eateries across the five boroughs and have your favorite bites shipped directly to your door. Banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery? Yes. Bagels and lox from Russ and Daughters? You bet. Thick cut bacon from Peter Luger’s Steakhouse, Salty Pickles from The Pickle Guys, A Pastrami Sandwich from Pastrami Queen...I would continue, but the drool flooding from your mouth is making me uncomfortable. 

For the [Virtual] Culture: 

I know what you’re thinking, because it’s always what I’m thinking when someone mentions a virtual experience. LAAAAAAAAAAAME! Stick with me. Recently, I’ve come across an organization called New York Adventure Club. For ten dollars a pop, you can access some truly unique New York experiences and lectures that are sure to pique your interest. Some of the most interesting topics include John Lennon’s New York, Tales of Artists, Activists, and Apparitions in Greenwich Village, and The Untold History of Absinthe and The Green Fairy. New York Adventure Club knows that visitors want distinctive experiences that cannot be re-created, and they deliver. If you’re looking for a more interactive activity, check out Airbnb’s online experiences. All online experiences are live and allow you to chat with your host and ask questions to your heart’s content. Some unique tours include Broadway Backstage with the Dressers, Hanging with Hasidism, Queer Tour of the Museum of Modern Art, and Puerto Rico Holiday Cocktail and Dessert cooking class. 

Buy New York. 

Odds are that your favorite shops in New York City are more than willing to ship you their products. Beyond that, if you’re looking for eccentric purchases that are uniquely New York - check out Etsy. Big Apple based sellers have everything from NYC themed alphabet flash cards for your youngest one, to wall art, subway maps, and...an everything bagel shea butter set? It comes with an iconic NYC coffee cup candle.