Dec. 7, 2025
By Madelyn Scherzer
Staff Writer
This piece is part of a six-part in-depth reporting project about the holiday season.
1. Admire holiday light displays.
Go on evening drives to see homes lit up for Christmas. Pay special attention to the houses on 220, 224 and 228 Forest Ave., as they are especially impressive.
Take a different route each night to check out as many houses as possible. This may even motivate you to decorate your own home.
2. Attend a holiday performance.
The Radio City Rockettes’ “Christmas Spectacular” is the quintessential holiday show, but you can find more convenient and less expensive options at local performing arts centers and cultural institutions.
For instance, consider checking out Scott H. Severance’s musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella, “A Christmas Carol,” at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood on Dec. 14 at 1 and 5 p.m.
Another option is to attend the high school’s Winter Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16, or the middle school’s Winter Concert at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Both concerts will take place in the Lyndhurst Middle School auditorium.
3. Construct a gingerbread house.
For an entertaining and yummy holiday craft, bring your family and friends together to build and decorate a gingerbread house. Visit a big box retailer, craft supply store or supermarket to purchase a gingerbread house kit, which you can customize to your liking.
4. Enjoy the Christmas decorations at local malls.
Bask in holiday decor at malls, including American Dream in East Rutherford, Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus and Willowbrook Mall in Wayne. There, you can get a picture with Santa Claus or snap selfies with friends and family in front of the Christmas tree, giant ornaments and oversized gifts on display.
5. Go ice skating.
December is the perfect time to bundle up and hit the ice. For indoor skating in New Jersey, consider the Town of Secaucus’ Ice Rink or the Rink @ American Dream, or take a trip to New York City to visit the iconic outdoor rink at Bryant Park.
6. Host a Secret Santa or White Elephant.
Make gift-giving even more fun by organizing a Secret Santa. Visit elfster.com to assign each group member a person for whom they should purchase a gift. If your friends are competitive, consider a White Elephant, which results in endless laughter as participants “steal” presents from each other.
7. Make yummy treats for friends and family.
Use an old family recipe or try a new one from websites like foodnetwork.com or delish.com to add some sweetness to your holiday celebration. Deliver the goodies in festive tins to family and friends to spread holiday cheer.
8. Organize a holiday movie marathon.
Rent, purchase or stream some Christmas movies for an hours-long celebration. Whether you’re in the mood for comedy, romance, horror or an animated film, there are holiday movies for you. Some standouts in these genres include “A Christmas Story,” “The Holiday,” “Krampus” and “The Polar Express.”
9. Send holiday cards.
This is a simple way to let people know you are thinking about them during the holiday season. You can print photos of yourself or your family on a holiday card using Canva, Picsart or Shutterfly. You can also purchase readymade cards or design your own.
10. Spread holiday cheer by caroling.
Buy or print a Christmas caroling songbook, which might include favorites like “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Then, gather a group, grab your Santa hats and start singing.
11. Visit a tree farm.
Travel to a Christmas tree farm to buy wreaths or even cut down your own Christmas tree. Between the pine scent and the crisp December air, it’s impossible not to feel the holiday cheer.
12. Watch a tree lighting.
Check out the 20th Annual Christmas in the Park at Lyndhurst Town Hall Park on Dec. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m. In addition to the tree lighting, festivities include snacks, horse-and-carriage rides, live music and photos with Santa Claus.
You can also visit tree lightings in nearby towns, including North Arlington, Rutherford and Secaucus. Check the towns’ websites for more information about these annual celebrations.
