Today I’m taking the day off to head to Midtown and enjoy all the decorations! I do this every year in December and I love doing so which made me think of sharing some other favorite Christmas traditions of mine.

When it comes to holiday traditions, I have those related to New York & those at home. In New York, I love:

• Visiting the Rockefeller Tree (of course!) at both day and nighttime.
• Hot chocolate at City Bakery and sipping it while paying a visit to the Union Square Christmas market.
• Christmas shopping with my brother.
• 5th Avenue window shopping.
• Visiting the Palace Hotel’s Christmas tree.
• Christmas tea at the St. Regis.
• Drinks at Bemelmans Bar.

(And I’m still working through my NYC holiday bucket list but have made loads of progress which you may have seen over on Instagram!)

And at home:

• Holiday baking with my mom. (Often inclusive of impromptu singing sessions with spoon microphones.)
• Watching Home Alone & Home Alone 2 on Christmas Eve.
• Christmas Eve mass.
• Family outings- to dinner or snowmobiling.
• Skiing with my siblings.
• Family jigsaw puzzles.
• Watching old family videos.
• Signature cocktails on Christmas Eve with my sister & mom.
• My sister’s baked goods.

This time of year is so special and I’m trying to give myself moments to stop and take it all in.  Work + social commitments seem to be never-ending at the moment but I think that’s why it is even more important I continue taking my one day a December off to take for myself and my city. It is a tradition I have come to cherish!

A note on this outfit: The moment I spotted this velvet romper I knew I wanted it to be my go-to holiday party look this holiday season. If you’re looking for more holiday outfit inspo, look no further than this post from last week! This weekend I have multiple holiday parties and both my brother and one of my BFFs are in town to visit so you know I’ll be pulling this number out.

Kate Spade New York Velvet Romper (c/o) // Tights // Similar Booties (love this pair, too) // BaubleBar Earrings

More Velvet Pieces to Love:

p.s. how I decorated my home for the holidays & my favorite holiday picks.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]