Kodi, if you want to reconsider New York City then Marriott has a special price of $US 99.00 per night between December 23-26 in Courtyard Times Square South. It is a very good price, IMHO

Oh you guys are great! I had no idea at all what I wanted to do, and now I'm spoiled for choice. Enough ideas for the next 5 Christmases!

My next step will be to start checking airfares.

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know what I decide.

I went on a cruise one Christmas- I was single but had teenage daughter with me so no single supplement for us.
I thought it was a perfect trip for a Xmas get away - we sat at a table for 8 so didnt feel so alone and without family AND we both had shipboard romances which was fun - but even if that hadnt happened- it felt good to be part of a group at that time of year.

Club Med might be another option to look into

Hmmmm, a Christmas fling !!! I hadn't thought of that !!
A cruise sounds great if I had more time.

Have you considered Montreal?
Not too warm that time of year but very eclectic and charming city.

Thanks so much to all of you for helping me make my decision !!! After much thought and research I have decided to go to New York City.

All of the suggested destinations sounded wonderful. But I decided that I did not want to have to rent a car. I also did not want to be in an airport any more than I had to be at this busy time of year. So that meant a direct flight somewhere.

After googling NYC + Christmas, I was so impressed with all the lights and store windows!
I'm very happy with my choice and I'm also very happy that I'm actually going to be spending Christmas the wasy I want !

Mama, a special thank you. I didn't think I had a chance of finding a reasonalby priced hotel. Thanks to you, I'm booked into the Courtyard Times Square.

Now for theatre tickets! and I'll be all set.

Hey Kodi, YES! That is what I would have chosen! I think you will have an absolutely fantastic time. Don't forget to give us a trip report after you return home. Personally I sure understand your wishes to do what you want to do versus what other people in your life want you to do. Best wishes and have fun planning your time in NYC!

Thank you LoveItaly. I'm so excited. The more pictures I see and the more I read , the more excited I get. FINALLY to be doing what I want on Christmas.
I've got my hotel booked, my airline ticket booked and also my Radio City Christmas show booked for Christmas day.

Now to make a list of all the lights I want to see .. and store fronts. I think I'll be very busy. And I want to find out about the Christmas markets , but I'll have to wait til I get back from this trip to Europe. I leave in 2 days.

Then will come the time when I have to tell my friends what I'm doing for Christmas!!! It won't be fun, but they will see how excited I am. Hey, they may join me next year!!

Hello again Kodi, wishing you a wonderful time in Europe! And after you get home you can fine tune your Christmas trip to NYC. I really am happy for you. I too the last couple of years have started making all my decisions based on what I need versus what others think I need. I keep learning day by day. My very best wishes to you.

LoveItaly, thank you so much for the best wishes and the kind words. I appreciate them. And a big congratulations to you for standing up and making decisions for yourself. It isn't always easy, but once we take a stand, it feels soooo good.

Making others happy is wonderful, but it sure feels good to be doing something I've wanted to do for a long time.

I hope you DO keep learning. Good for you!!And I hope you DO get to New Zealand. ( Didn't we talk about that ?)
I will post a trip report when I return from NYC.

I'm sure I'll be posting more questions about NYC at Christmas time!
Thanks again.

Kodi, New Zealand, yes dear you are correct...you have a good memory! Again, have a wonderful time in Europe.