NYC during Christmas season with the wife

There are several outdoor ice skating rinks. The best value in my opinion is the one at Bryant Park. Bryant park also happens to be home to a great pop-up Christmas market. Again- there are a buch of those around as well. They are a lot of fun to browse through. Usually a combination of artisan type goods and some more mainstream shops.

Window displays in the stores are cool. Macy's, etc.

There is a little German restaurant and bar called Rolf's. If you're in the area it's worth at least peeking into to see the lights and decorations. It is like nothing you've seen before. Takes them weeks to do it all I think I read. Haven't eaten there so I can't speak to the food quality.

Carriage ride in Central Park is a touristy thing but with your wife it could be a cool thing to do. Wrap up in a blanket and enjoy the ride.

Favorite thing we did was a nighttime harbor cruise with Christmas music. It was called carols and cocktails or something like that. It was lots of fun and a sing along type of cruise when the music was going. Much more fun than it sounds.

NYC during the holidays is a magical place. Enjoy your visit.

Great info. Thanks

check out Free Tours by Foot ... they have suggestions for various tours of different places ... i just returned from nyc and did a walking tour of Brooklyn Bridge and a bike ride of Central Park ... they will recommend paid tours, as well ... there are lots of tours and they might have something for christmas ... can honestly say there's probably nothing overrated about nyc ... it's all spectacular ...