Christmas/Hanukkah

Dec 31 2012

Recycle Your Christmas Tree: MulchFest NYC 2013

Things to do with kids: Recycle Your Christmas Tree: MulchFest NYC 2013

The holiday season is coming to a close, so whether you went and cut down your own Christmas tree or bought it at the corner deli, it's time to start thinking about how you are going to get rid of it. You want to make sure that your tree goes back into the land, not the landfill. The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has a great program for turning your Christmas tree into mulch that's free and easy to do. Even those of us who don't buy Christmas trees appreciate smelling yours as we walk through our city parks, so please recycle your tree. Another option is to leave your tree curbside for pick up by the New York City Department of Sanitation, but there are certain rules you need to follow in order for your tree to be recycled. Read on to find out how simple it is to recycle your Christmas tree in New York City.

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Dec 18 2012

What's Open on Christmas Day in NYC 2012: 12 Things to Do with Kids After Opening Gifts

Things to do with kids: What's Open on Christmas Day in NYC 2012: 12 Things to Do with Kids After Opening Gifts

The gifts have been ripped open, the insane plastic packaging dismantled and the batteries installed. Dinner won't be ready for hours and the kids are totally stir crazy. What else can you do on Christmas Day?

Jews have been asking that question for centuries and their answer in New York City is often Chinese food and a movie. But there are other options, whether or not you celebrate Christmas. Here are a dozen fun things to do on December 25.

You can find even more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

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Dec 17 2012

Midnight Mass with NYC Kids: Family-Friendly Christmas Eve Services

Things to do with kids: Midnight Mass with NYC Kids: Family-Friendly Christmas Eve Services

Yesterday we shared festive ways to celebrate Christmas Eve with kids in New York City. But with tragic events like Hurricane Sandy and Sandy Hook Elementary School still fresh on our minds, many families may be looking for ways to remember those who were hurt or lost while praying for peace on earth and good will toward men.

While lots of NYC churches host kid-friendly religious services and pageants during the afternoon on December 24, you could also consider attending an authentic midnight mass with your family. In addition to the traditional Christmas Eve liturgy and caroling, these services will inevitably touch on recent events and hopefully provide tidings of comfort along with the joy of the season.

We've found five Manhattan churches that welcome visitors to midnight mass with kids in tow—yes, even babies and toddlers (we're sure; we checked!). You don't need to be a regular parishioner to attend and they're not as jam-packed as St. Patrick's Cathedral, although arriving early is still recommended. However you decide to spend Christmas Eve, we hope you find happiness and solace in the company of family and friends.

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Dec 16 2012

Things to Do on Christmas Eve with NYC Kids 2012: Festive Ways for Families to Celebrate

Things to do with kids: Things to Do on Christmas Eve with NYC Kids 2012: Festive Ways for Families to Celebrate

Christmas Eve falls on a Monday this year. While we realize some of you may need to pick up a few last-minute gifts, we hope you and your family are able to find time to get into the spirit of the season (beyond shopping).

Whether your family has set Christmas Eve traditions or you decide to wing it, there are lots of ways to celebrate in New York City. From holiday shows to Christmas pageants, family films to Christmas caroling, here are festive things to do on Christmas Eve in NYC with kids, both during the day and after dark.

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Dec 11 2012

Dyker Heights at Christmas: Taking Kids to the Mind-Blowing Dyker Lights Displays in Brooklyn

Dyker Heights at Christmas: Taking Kids to the Mind-Blowing Dyker Lights Displays in Brooklyn

For years I'd been hearing about the awesome Christmas displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. I'd seen the Flickr feeds and the YouTube videos but I didn't make the trek out there until 2011. Once I saw those jaw-dropping sights in person, I knew visiting "Dyker Lights" would become an annual family holiday tradition.

But living in upper Manhattan, Dyker Heights is a serious schlep. It's really not doable via public transportation, especially at night with kids in tow. It's better to drive there. Last year, I hitched a ride with a neighbor but this year I decided to play tourist and went on A Slice of Brooklyn's Christmas Lights & Cannoli guided bus tour. Even though my daughter and I saw many of the same houses both times, our visits were quite different. If you're considering taking the kids to Dyker Heights this holiday season but are wondering which is the best way to go, here's how the two experiences compare.

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