Proposal Ideas For Dec 2015 in NYC
 

Hey everyone, new to this forum but you guys seem like you know what you are talking about when it comes to NYC.
My girlfriend and I are coming to New York in Dec this year from the UK and I have decided that I want to propose to her whilst we are there.

I have a rough idea on what I want to do but I want to know what you guys think.....

She loves Xmas and everything about it so I have thought about dropping down on one knee in front of the Rockerfeller tree late at night when hopefully it is going to be a little quieter. I know its a little cliché and it will be busy, ish. But I cant think of anywhere else that would be as magical at that time of year. I was also thinking of putting together a scrapbook of our 3 years together and then on the last page put a picture of the rockerfeller tree in there and then write under 'What's Next'?? And then Im on one knee when she reads it.

What do you guys think? Any other thoughts would be great and I know I have 11 months to worry about it but its a big thing for me!!

Thanks in advance
Graham

I think that is a very sweet idea. Just make sure the weather cooperates! ;)

Its the first week on December so im hoping it wont be too bad! Fingers crossed :)

Agree that you need to take into account:

The area around the tree won't be uncrowded until midnight or later - if you're thinking 9 pm the place will still be mobbed and people will be falling on you if you're kneeling on the sidewalk. (Around the holidays the stores around the rink will be open until 10 or 11 pm.)

You need to take weather into account. You may be lucky and get 40s during the day and 30s at night. But today we have a cold snap - the high today will be about 20 and the night temp around 6 - which means a wind chill index of minus 15 F (not C). Also ice, sleet and snow are perfectly possible.

I would definitely have an indoor alternative available. Either a restaurant (very public) or something like the Staten Island ferry - which runs 24/7 - every 30 minutes or so late at night - and while public is usually not SO crowded them - and the view of the sklyine is gorgeous on the way back. A RT takes about 1.5 hours.

Yeah I know its very cold over there. Early dec doesn't seem to be that bad but we will just have to wait and see. I was going to head there around midnight to get it at its most quiet

What about doing it at the Top of the Rock?
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

The entire city at your feet. Gorgeous photos! No worries about the weather because there are glass enclosed viewing areas as well as the open decks. Your last sign could say something along the lines of "I want to see the world with you". After you take the elevator down, you can pose by the tree and/or have reservations at a restaurant to celebrate.

Here are some pics to give you an idea, including proposals -
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/share/

Be sure to get your dates straight because they first light the tree around Dec 6 or 7.

This year was Dec. 3rd.

I think you're idea is great! You can have a nice dinner nearby and give her the book to look at before you go outside to the tree and propose, if it's cold. That part won't take very long and you'll both be so excited you won't feel the cold anyway!

Make sure you really like her, first.

There's even a guy who will take a photo of your proposal, wherever you choose to do it: http://nyti.ms/1BdfCEp.

But I fear that trying to do your proposal near the tree at Rock Center shortly after it goes up is doomed. It's hard to convey how crowded it gets these days, even well after midnight. A few years ago, I used to walk past the tree some evening after the theater just to see it. I tried that this year and the crowds were crushing.

Do your proposal in a better place. Top of the Rock sounds great and is usually the easiest place to get to. Or the top of the Empire State Building (but only after midnight).

Top of the Rock is my vote too! If you go up on a weeknight it won't be as crowded and it truly is beautiful. But if you have your heart set on the tree at Rockefeller Center, just do it. Yes it will be more crowded than you can ever imagine, but it still sounds romantic. If you get there and find that the crowds are crushing, go to plan B, whatever that might be. Good luck and best wishes!

That early in Dec being SO cold is less likely - but there are no promises - we have had snow at Halloween.

But I think you should expect it to be crowded. Make sure you do NOT go the night the tree is lit - there will be more than a million people there. Also in that area you can see the animated windows at Saks and L&T - but again - there are shorter lines after midnight.

If you want to eat there with a view the Sea Grille is good, you can get seats at the window right next to the skating rinks, but need ressies far in advance and a big wallet. We try to have dinner there at least once during the holidays to sit watching the skaters. It's one of our traditions, along with seeing the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.

There are also great trees (indoors) - an antiques Neapolitan tree and creche at the Met and an origami tree at Mus Nat'l Hist - plus a lot of other nice trees at various outdoor venues around town.

Thank you all for your hints and tips!! The top of the rock was going to be my first choice, I had my heart set on it!! But then the tree idea came into my head.

Im more than happy going for the top of the rock but I just thought the tree was a good idea and its Christmas for her. She wants to go to the light switch on but there is no way I would even consider doing it that night haha.

If anyone else can think of somewhere Christmas then please fire away. I really appreciate all the feedback!!!

Here's my thought - I think a good spot is a place you can return to year after year. The Top of the Rock is good for many reasons, but it's great because of that. Seven years later, when you return to NYC during the year, the tree won't be there. BUT no matter what time of year you return, the Top of the Rock will be!

I agree with starrs, especially since you said Top of the Rock was your first idea. She will be getting engaged at Christmas in NYC, one of the most magical places on earth at that time of year, so--and this is just my two cents--I don't think that having the proposal take place at the tree is strictly necessary. It would be great, but these warnings about the crowds you need to take seriously!! You can always stroll down to the tree after the question has been popped...

Yeah I am taking the crowds seriously, that's why I have come on here to ask you guys because I know I would get good feedback. Are the lights on 24/7 after the tree has been put up?

Yes, the lights stay on all night (and all day).

My gf has said she wants to do an all night whilst over there just to see what its like, so that could be an option if we do, but top of the rock could still be a big back up plan. It is worth hiring one of these papparazi people??

"What do you guys think?"

I think your girlfriend is one lucky girl -- to have snagged such a romantic!



No other special ideas except I kind of agree that having a place to always come back to sounds nice -- although that could just be "to NYC" not "to the tree in Rockefeller Center".