Holiday Bazaar: Traditions, Memories, and Gift Recommendations from NYC-Area Parents

From holiday traditions new and old to gifts both classic and of the moment, we've got a seasonal smorgasbord of holiday tales and toy recommendations from NYMetroParents staff members and friends.

Traditions & Memories

"My favorite holiday memory as a parent is when my daughter, Maddy, decided to wrap herself up with the paper I was about to use for her presents four years ago. I had just laid out the roll and turned around to get scissors and tape. Soon I heard the roll start unraveling and giggling. I decided to let her be for a few minutes and stepped away. When I returned, I found her peeking out from under the mound. I knew then that she was going to enjoy all the wrapping paper from the gifts more than the gifts themselves."

- Catherine, founder of Moms in Weston, CT, a blog for moms by moms (www.westonctmoms.wordpress.com) about her then-2-year-old daughter, pictured (Maddy is now 6 and enjoys makeshift dresses from embroidered scarves)

"We participate in a friend's toy drive each year, and the schools are great by providing a 'giving tree' where kids can buy a gift for a family in need."

- Judy Samuels, Westport mom to two girls (ages 12 and 16) and one boy (18), and an NYMetroParents senior account manager

See more holiday traditions and memories from NYMetroParents staffers and friends:

Christmas Tree Tradition

Handmade Hanukkah

Merry Mishaps

Getting a Tree, NYC Style

Holiday Mashup

Especially in NYC and its surrounding communities, dual-faith families are commonplace -- and each has its own personal approach to embracing the holiday season. See blog posts from some of our NYMetroParents staffers on how they strike the right balance between Christmas and Hanukkah:

Christmukkah in NYC