What’s Christmas Like in the Big Apple?

The real joy is the  excitement buying things for a few neighborhood kids. Who had nothing and I  meant they were not going to get any toys.

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A Holly Jolly Christmas in New York

It was Christmas 1998, one of the coldest, yet most memorable seasons of my life. New York City was blanketed in gray skies and icy winds, and the child in me found joy in the cold air that turned my breath into little clouds of steam. Every streetlamp was wrapped in tinsel, and the sound of Christmas carols floated from every store and gas station speaker.

This was Christmas in Brooklyn.
This was Christmas in the Big Apple.

Break from College, A New Beginning

I had just graduated from nursing school. No more parking wars at the university lot. No more early classes or final exams. I had landed my first real job as a registered nurse — and with it, my first real paycheck. I was ecstatic and determined to make this holiday unforgettable for my family.

They had little — barely any food, no working heat, and not much hope. But I was going to change that.

Christmas Shopping on Canal Street

My friend Devon and I loaded up a rental car and hit the road from Philly to NYC. We were blasting Lauryn Hill’s “Nothing Even Matters” and Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” as the heater worked overtime against the freezing wind.

As we crossed the Welcome to New York sign, roasted chestnut aromas filled the air, and the city sparkled with Christmas lights and storefront displays.

We circled endlessly for parking, finally scoring a spot near Canal Street. The shopping frenzy began. We bought everything — cookbooks for Aunt Jenny, a Giants sweatshirt for Uncle Steve, gold earrings for my mom, a new TV for Dad, Game Boys for the cousins, and trendy clothes for the neighborhood kids.

We were in full-on Santa mode.

A Perfect Day Turns Sour

After seven stores, two food stops, and $1,200 worth of gifts, we loaded up the car. Exhausted but beaming with pride, we headed to Brooklyn where my family lived.

Then — disaster.

While stopping at a gas station near Flatbush Avenue, Devon ran inside for hot chocolate while I pumped gas. Just then, a stranger jumped into our car and drove off. We ran, yelled — nothing. The car, and every single gift inside, vanished into the night.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

The police arrived — slowly. They took our statements and gave us the standard, “We’ll follow up.” They never did.

I stood in the cold, heartbroken. All the effort, the thought, the love I poured into each gift — gone. But when we arrived at my family’s home, something unexpected happened.

They were just happy we were safe.

No one blamed us. No one cried about the missing Game Boys. The kids hugged us tight. My parents smiled with relief. My friends reassured me: “It’s okay. You’re okay. That’s what matters.”

That’s when I understood something I hadn’t before:

Christmas isn’t about what you give. It’s about being present. About hope. About love.

A Lesson from the City That Never Sleeps

Even in a place as gritty and chaotic as New York, where holiday magic is sometimes buried under traffic jams and noise, the spirit of Christmas still lives. You just have to look for it — in a smile, a hug, or a shared cup of hot chocolate after heartbreak.

That snowy Christmas was stolen in one way.
But what mattered most — the meaning, the joy, the togetherness — that could never be taken.

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46 Comments

  3. Wow, Patrice, what a frightening experience. So glad you managed to take something positive from it. As everyone said, so thankful that only the car and gifts were taken.

    Hoping that 2014 Christmas is one you remember for much nicer reasons.

  4. This is a very sweet story. It is true that we tend to get swept up in making sure we have the best gifts to give, when really the best gift to give is our time. Great reminder. 🙂

  5. Geez, I am so sorry this happened to you. A similar thing happened to by brother in Florida one year. So awful what people will do but it really does make you believe that they were just things and things can be replaced. You are a superb writer! I love your blog! Merry Christmas to you.

  6. Beautifully written, Patrice! We can use a reminder of what/who really matters this time of year and the rest of the year as well! Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a peace filled New Year.

  8. I truly loved reading your post. You write beautifully. I always believe that things happen for a reason. Although it wasn’t nice you had to go through the experience of having your car and gifts for others stolen, you still created the beautiful memories of being with the people you love and adore, without all the material things. You still brought them joy by spending time with them and that is something they will never forget. Material things cannot take the place of LOVE. Thanks so much for sharing. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas <3

  9. I enjoyed the story and the message. I don’t do the whole “christmas” thing myself. I know that sounds sill coming from a Christian but Christ warned against many of the practices such as the tree. Christmas is nothing more than a Pagan holiday covered in Christian and Catholic morals. Jeremiah 10:1-10 speaks on the tree if you are curious. It celebrated Nimrod’s birthday and his death and resurrection into a pine tree. Funny as it sounds, it is all in the bible! haha

    But again, I loved the story and I am glad there are still people who can turn a bad situation into a blessing.

  10. What a scary experience and I am so sorry you had to go through all that. People can be so horrible sometimes.

  12. Wow, how rude of them. Hopefully your gifts were still given to those that needed them. Maybe not the ones you chose, but I’m sure there were happy small faces because of your gifts.

    • Laura McGowan,Yes, I hope they gave it to the kids in their neighborhood. I was worried about the rental car but my friend had insurance that covered. One of Life lesson I suppose.

  13. Thanks for sharing your story. I could imagine the way you felt in that moment. I am happy that the experience also revealed that gifts and things aren’t everything, and the people who love you cared about your well-being rather than the things. I am sure I would have panicked though over the lost of the rental car.

  14. Oh no!!! It was sad that all your stuff got stolen, but wonderful that you learned a great lesson 🙂 Christmas is so much more than the gifts.

  15. This is a sad but great story. I’m so glad you and your friend were safe. It sucks that happened to you. I would’ve felt like you. Would’ve taken me some time to get over something like that.

  16. Oh, how horrible! That must have been such a DREADFUL moment when that car peeled out of the gas station. Ugh!! But the way your friends and family responded and the way you learned to appreciate your family’s response and the opportunity to spend some time with them is just beautiful. Is there anything more valuable than our time?? 🙂

  18. That’s a terrible experience but the life lesson that came with it, priceless. It’s a story filled with love and nothing can give you more Christmas spirit than that. Thanks for the good read.

  21. This post made me sad and angry at the same time. Sad because of the unfortunate incident that happened to you, and angry because some people take advantage of others. This is such a horrible experience you wouldn’t want to happen to others.

  24. What a horrible thing to have happen before Christmas. I am happy to hear that you were still able to spend time with your neighbors, and you are so right the spirit of Christmas is not about gifts.

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