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.