As the semester comes to a slow and painful close, it may feel impossible to enjoy the holiday atmosphere of Hoboken and New York City. Final essays, projects, and tests consume every waking moment, so how are we, as students, supposed to embrace the holiday cheer? Sometimes, it may be better to embrace the small things, like a holiday drink at a local coffee shop, rather than the more touristy attractions like Rockefeller Center.
As someone who has ventured out to look at “the tree,” I can confidently say that it is overhyped. For one, the crowds are intolerable and keep you a great distance away from said tree. If you are assertive and push your way through the crowd, the gates surrounding the tree are still super far away from the tree. For me, seeing the tree once was enough because you can’t exactly revel in awe of how large it is when the closest you can get is still super far away.
I recently visited the Winter Village in Bryant Park, and let me just say that it was borderline traumatic. I would definitely recommend going during the week in the middle of the day because to say the village is crowded right now would be an understatement. When I visited during the evening, I was pushed back and forth by crowds and felt in danger of experiencing a crowd surge. The market boasts tons of delicious food stalls, but the lines for any one stall can take hours. Additionally, let’s be real, a broke college student can not afford anything at the market. A hot chocolate is twelve dollars, and a decent meal could be up to thirty dollars. I’m sure the market would be nice if you go in November before the tourist hype starts, but for now, I’m going to say it is not worth it.
So where should a broke college student with limited time go to experience the holiday cheer? I am a big supporter of going to the Times Square Macy’s to look at the Christmas decorations. The shopping center is decorated very elaborately, and the building is so big that even if it is super crowded, you can still breathe. Additionally, you don’t have to buy anything, so it’s basically a free viewing experience of a winter wonderland.
Another fun option could be visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), which is pay-what-you-will for students. The Met sets up a humongous Christmas tree with an 18th-century nativity scene at the base of it. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the display is beautiful and historically interesting. Other museums throughout the city also set up various holiday displays, just google search and you will find plenty of stuff to go see.
If you do not have the time to take the PATH over to the city, embrace the holiday experience in Hoboken. Grab a cup of hot chocolate from your favorite local coffee shop or from Merry Hot Cocoa Bar, a pop-up seasonal kiosk located at Pier A Park. Explore Hoboken and walk around to view the various Christmas displays the city and residents have put up. Volunteer for a cause you are passionate about, and spread the spirit of helping others less fortunate than you. Have a Christmas movie night with your friends, and embrace the nostalgia of childhood films like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Most importantly, relax and take the time to take care of your mental health this finals season. We are almost there, ducks!
