Hey everyone!
Welcome back to my blog and happy Vlogmas Day 2! It’s that sparkly, chaotic, festive time of year again, and I’m back with another post to share all the holiday feels with you. If you’re new here, hi! I’m Flor, documenting my cozy, very-much-imperfect, but joy-filled holiday season. If this is your cup of hot cocoa, be sure to check out the video below for the full experience, and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Alright, now here’s a full recap of what went down on Day 2.
A Holiday Brunch to Remember
We kicked off the day at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square—which, fun fact, holds a special place in my heart because we were there about a year and a half ago for the Le Petit Chef immersive dining experience. This time around though, we were invited to try something equally magical: a Holiday Brunch complete with an appearance by Santa! 🎅
First of all, the whole event was so thoughtful and family-friendly. It was the perfect mix of indulgence (hello, free-flowing buffet and hot cocoa station!) and festive fun. Julia, Tom, and I had the best time. The balloon art, face painting, candy bar (shoutout to Dylan’s Candy Bar!), and activities for toddlers were amazing. Plus, kids under 3 eat free, so it’s a win-win. I mean, what more could you ask for?
For Julia, this was her very first time meeting Santa, and oh my gosh, the photos we took will live in my heart forever. Sure, she wasn’t exactly thrilled about meeting the jolly man in red—but I get it. Santa is basically just a stranger in cosplay to a toddler! Still, it made for memories we’ll treasure forever and maybe even a new yearly tradition. Does your family do Santa photos every year? I’d love to hear how it works in your household.
Bringing It Back Home
After brunch, we had planned to check out the gorgeous holiday displays on the Upper East Side, but Tom wasn’t feeling well, so we decided to head home. It’s definitely a reminder that the holidays don’t always go as planned, but that’s okay, right? Sometimes, you just need a lazy day indoors to recharge.
Later, while Julia napped, I thought it’d be a great chance to sneak out and do a little holiday shopping at Target and Trader Joe’s. Because is it even December if you don’t end up at these two stores at least twice a week?
Target Finds & Missing Cookies
At Target, I scored a few small goodies. I grabbed a really comfy t-shirt for just $10 (perfect for lounging at home), and a dry-erase calendar for my desk to keep me organized during vlogmas. I’m someone who still loves crossing tasks off with pen and paper, but this feels like an upgrade.
One thing I had been especially excited for were these cute pre-made holiday cookies with frosting and sprinkles for decorating—but they were sold out! Can you believe that? We browsed all the gingerbread houses and candy kits, and while they were adorable, I decided to skip them this year. I just know we’d end up eating like 5% and then feeling bad about throwing the rest away. Anyone else not a big gingerbread fan, or is it just me?
Trader Joe’s Treats
Trader Joe’s, as always, delivered the magic. We picked up a few festive things for our dog, Oreo, including some Christmas tree-shaped treats that she absolutely loves (and yes, she 100% hears the treat bag every time I open it, no matter how quiet I try to be). Trader Joe’s also has these gorgeous cookies that honestly look homemade. Seriously, if you brought these to a holiday party and claimed to have baked them yourself, no one would be able to tell. Not that I’d do that… probably.
Decorating for the Holidays (On a Smaller Scale)
One thing I’ve realized about living in a smaller NYC apartment is that you have to be intentional about holiday decor. I love the vibe of a festive but uncluttered space. We’ve already got the tree up from Vlogmas Day 1 and a few small touches here and there, but that’s probably all we’ll do for now. Maybe one day when we’re in a bigger space, I’ll go all out with decorations. Right now, though, I kind of love the simplicity.
What is your vibe when it comes to decorating? Are you team “deck the halls to the max” or team minimal? Or are you somewhere in between, like me? Whatever makes you happy, I say go for it.
A Cozy Day Indoors
The rest of the day was spent staying cozy at home. The rainy weather wasn’t ideal for exploring, but honestly, it felt nice to just relax as a family and enjoy the holiday vibes from the comfort of our apartment. Julia running around in her festive pajamas, Oreo snoozing on the couch, twinkling lights on the tree… moments like these are what make me love this time of year so much.
Thanks for coming along on this day with me! I know this Vlogmas entry was a little more low-key, but I’ve got some exciting plans to explore more of the Christmas magic around Manhattan in the days to come. Definitely subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already to see what’s next, and be sure to leave a comment with your favorite holiday traditions or go-to spots to shop for seasonal goodies—I’d love to know!
Until next time, cozy up, enjoy the season, and don’t forget to take some time for yourself amidst all the holiday hustle. See you tomorrow for Vlogmas Day 3!
xoxo,
Flor.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my previous vlogmas:
Find me on: Instagram
