Whether it's your first or fourth year in New York City, there will never be anything more special than all the things our city does for us for the holidays in December. The city transforms. The cold weather allows for your home to be a cozy safe haven (who wants to wear fuzzy socks in the summer??), the lights that decorate buildings and parks make you feel as if you stepped out of a fairytale. Take a break from studying and try to enjoy the season with the ideas below!

1. Union Square Holiday Market

NYU and New School students are so lucky to be near this special holiday village that appears out of nowhere every year. Actually, I live next to Union Square, so I know it takes time and lots of loud noises to build the holiday village, but once it comes together it is unbelievable. Plan an outing with your friends to go to the Holiday Village for some warm cider or hot chocolate and shop around for Christmas gifts! Even if it's absolutely freezing, you won't want to leave.

2. Ice Skating in Central Park

If you're like me, you are not a good ice skater. I even took lessons as a kid, but it's just a sad fact of my life. However, ice skating is quintessential for this season. Forget about pride and let yourself fall and hang off friends when you gather a group for ice skating. If you can skate, then you better take advantage and hightail it to the rink ASAP!

3. Hot Chocolate From City Bakery

Ah, City Bakery. Rich hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows. It's so hard to eat (don't wear black because powder sugar e v e r y w h e r e ), but so deliciously worth it. If you're lucky, you can grab a table with friends near the front of the restaurant to watch the passersby.

4. Walk up 5th Ave

The second 5th Avenue puts up their holiday storefronts, put on your biggest coat and slip on your most comfortable gloves, but you're going to walk up 5th avenue to see the magical scenes that unfold before your eyes. There will be a lot of people, though, so make sure you and your friends are prepared for the crowds.

5. Visit Rockefeller Center

Your journey up 5th Avenue will lead you right to Rockefeller Center, where the New York holiday scene will undoubtedly make you feel as if you're in a fairytale. If you've never had something from Magnolia Bakery, then your group will need to make a pit stop so you have something to do (read: eat) while you take in the beauty around you.

If you noticed a trend in these five Holiday must-dos, then it's because the holidays are about spending time with people you love. Once you and your friends finish my bucket list, then you can create your own! Peppermint ice cream in the park? Museums? Snowball fighting (if it snows before the break, that is)?