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".

grahamduncan1986, I agree with you, if you can plan to be at the tree in the wee hours when crowds will be thin, go for it.

My personal opinion on the photographer is, don't do it. I think it spoils the intimacy of the moment, and makes you more nervous because you know he's there and you want a good photo op. But I know people who have done it and loved it, so that's really up to you to decide based on your own preferences.

Agree with Patrick, about the romantic in you. (My proposal was in the living room of his apartment).

We were in NYC a few years ago at Christmas time. We were eating in Sea Grill, right on the skating rink at Rock Center. The ice cleared and a couple skated in. You guessed it: he dropped to one knee and proposed. Cheers from the multitudes!

Do you skate?

Starrs, one of my nieces got proposed to on top of the rock, good suggestion.

rncheryl, yes I do skate but my gf doesn't. She has had a bad ankle for a while and I wouldn't want to hurt her or gamble with anything in case she fell. Im just conscious that the top of the rock will be quite busy also, and if I can get to the tree at 1,2 or 3am, when we are walking around then I will definitely for that because I know how much it will mean to her.

Im not too fussed on having the whole, 'need to have it there for when we come back' we are planning to do NYC once, maybe twice in our lives so making it a one off amazing experience for her is all I care about really.

Everyone on here has been great, please keep them coming!!
I know its still 11 months away but I like to worry haha

" Im just conscious that the top of the rock will be quite busy also"

Nothing like the base of the tree. The TOR sells timed tickets and controls the number of people up there. I've never been when I've considered it crowded.

"...and if I can get to the tree at 1,2 or 3am..."
Okay. I'm concerned. I noticed this statement earlier -
"My gf has said she wants to do an all night whilst over there just to see what its like..."

Does this mean you plan to wander the city all night and not have a reservation for a hotel room?

If so, "no".
Just no.
Don't propose to your gf in the wee hours of the morning on a cold night in NYC and not have a hotel room to return to.

If I misunderstood, my apologies.

Surely not, starrs. That seems an extreme assumption on your part.

"That seems an extreme assumption on your part."

NewbE's back. ;)


I didn't make an assumption. I asked a question, based on two things the young man said today.

I made it clear I am not sure that's his intent and said: "If I misunderstood, my apologies."

I've not made an "extreme assumption".
I've asked a question, recommended another approach if that's his plan, and apologized at the same time "if I misunderstood".

>>> Are the lights on 24/7 after the tree has been put up? >>>>

Unless it has changed recently, the lights are turned off around 11:30 p.m. I have been there late at night when the lights are off.

I think it's lit all night only on Christmas.

Starrs, again I appreciate everyones thoughts.

However if you assume that im going to be coming from the UK, to walk the streets of New York without booking a hotel room for 4 days, then well im staggered haha.

Im not some kind of fool that thinks being around the Rockerfeller Tree the days near that it has just been lit will be all quiet and lovely. There will be over a million people there!!
I was merely on hear to ask peoples opinions and to see if there was any other ares in New York that are really nice at that time of year because that's what my gf likes.

If anyone does know for sure if the lights are on all night or not then that would be great info! The website says it allows people to come and see it up close until 12am, so I would be amazed if it was all switched off at 11.30pm. Hopefully they are on longer.

Thank you again everyone, keep them coming!!

Can't guarantee for this coming year but I visited a couple of years ago about 2 am and the lights were most certainly on.

You can certainly google for specifics for this coming year when the lighting in nearer

grahamduncan1986, I was staggered, too, lol!

I'm afraid it does seem as though the lights are turned off at 11:30pm except on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, per this website:
http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmass...centertree.htm

"The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is typically illuminated from 5:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily, except on Christmas and New Year's Eve. On Christmas, the tree is illuminated for 24 hours and on New Year's Eve the lights are turned off at 9:00 p.m."

Too bad, because walking by in the wee hours sounds incredibly romantic, and as confirmed night owls, SO and I might steal the idea next time we're in NYC, if we ever are, on Christmas day.

Oh good grief and holy cat pee...

The good news is, "My gf has said she wants to do an all night whilst over there just to see what its like..." means he's smarter than other posters who have asked where to go during the night in NYC without having to get a hotel room. :-)

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

Re photographer - only you can decide if it's worth the $ to have a professional photographer record the moment. Another option would be to ask a nearby person to snap a photo of you. Do that at least a couple of times during the trip before the proposal so your gf is used to it. Then turn to a family or group of tourists and ask them if they'd take a photo - and whisper that you're about to propose. You'd be more likely to have someone nearby at the TOR than at the tree at the wee hours of the morning. You decide if the photo is important or not (I vote not). You can have someone snap your photo after the proposal if you wish. Enjoy and have a great trip!

FYI - There is a new bar, SixtyFive, just below the Top of Rock observation deck. To my knowledge they don't take reservations. Opens at 5pm, weekdays only. Expensive, but for 1 drink, or a celebratory toast, it's worth it.

I saw the ice rink does proposal packages - maybe you can take one of their ideas - I think one of the packages included champagne flutes ( engraved?). Since she loves Christmas, an ornament engraved with the date would be a lovely remembrance for years to come.

One more thought - I know from past experience the first weekend of the tree lit is insane. The tree usually gets lit on a Wed. Maybe aim to be here the following weekdays. It will be crowded but maybe, just maybe a touch less so.

this is all lovely (scrapbook, then last page ??) I just personally don't know how you can keep NOT proposing for the entire year (until Dec 2015) knowing that you WANT TO. why keep the happiness from her? just my 2c. (and planning good times is my hobby). Just do it sooner.

Good point, weekend_celebrations. How could anyone who has decided he's met the person he wants to marry, sit back and way 12 months before telling (or asking) her?

I assume they are young people and have a plan for engagement/marriage based on finances of paying for the whole thing. Young people are often together for a long time before the official engagement - not a bad idea IMHO. And based on the wording the decision to marry has already been made.

It's not like more mature adults who may know faster and have no financial issues to delay fairly quick process to the altar.

. . . or those of us who are so old we figure we can't delay or it will be too late! LOL

If you want to do something Christmassy earlier that day or evening, consider getting tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It's a fun show and will definitely put you both in the Christmas mood. It's then a short walk to Rockefeller Center from Radio City. Best wishes!

This is something you have not mentioned, so perhaps it is of no interest, and certainly is nothing new, but is very romantic.

Have you thought about a horse drawn carriage ride in Central Park? It would be a more intimate way of proposing. Especially if there is snow, it would be absolutely beautiful, you two quietly together with the carriage blanket around you.

You could then see the tree anytime without the worry of crowds during a proposal - and she could be enjoying the glitter on her finger while admiring the glitter on the tree.