The holiday season has arrived, which means the next few weeks will be full of delicious food, good company, and memories that will last. This is an article especially dedicated to the holiday experiences in the Northern New Jersey/NYC area and the yummy holiday treats everyone loves to eat.

Hawthorne is located just 25 miles outside the greatest city in the world, New York City, which is full of activities for all ages during the holidays–from the huge Christmas Tree displayed for all in the center of Rockefeller Center to the 3-D holiday light show projected onto the Saks Fifth Ave building. This year’s show at Saks is titled “An Enchanted Experience” and will play continuously every five minutes. While visiting the Christmas Tree, don’t forget to walk along Fifth Avenue and look at the elaborate holiday window displays. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Company, Saks Fifth Ave, and Bloomingdale’s are the most famous and lavish displays.

In addition to enjoying the holiday-decorated city, one can ice skate in various locations throughout the city. Ice skate in the heart of Central Park, or a few blocks away from Times Square at Bryant Park, or along the Hudson River at the South Street Seaport location, or even right under the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza.

Food and dessert galore is the equivalent to the holiday season–from the typical American dessert of apple pie to all the assorted cookies. Each culture has its own signature Christmas dish and dessert. From my family recipe book below is my favorite holiday time cookie:

Pfeffernusse Cookies

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Stir together the molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a      saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until creamy. Remove from heat      and allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the eggs.