Earlier this month, Gymboree asked me to film my family getting ready for the holidays for their “Best Time to Be a Kid” campaign.
We’re Jewish so what to film probably required more thought than most people. We don’t hang stockings or decorate a tree or sing carols around the neighborhood. With the exception of lighting the menorah and exchanging gifts for Hanukah, there is not a lot of holiday prep to be done at home.
We get most of our holiday spirit outside in the streets of New York City.
Every year on Christmas Eve, even before the kids were born, we have gone to look at the tree in Rockefeller Center, the light show at Sak’s and the windows at Macy’s and Lord & Taylor’s. I’ll never forget Mazzy’s face, the first time all the decorations really resonated with her.
“It’s so beautiful!” she shouted.
It is, indeed.
Last year, we took Mazzy ice skating in Bryant Park for the first time and discovered Bryant Park is the perfect place for a family outing around the holidays.
Their outdoor rink opens in early November and it’s right in midtown, in one of the prettiest parks in the city, surrounded by skyscrapers.
After ice skating, you can have lunch at Bryant Park Grill, take a ride on the merry-go-round, do some holiday shopping in the outdoor pop-up shops and finish up with Max Brenner’s liquid hot chocolate— which is the most decadent drink you’ll ever sip in your life.
I told Gymboree I wanted to film my family ice skating in Bryant Square Park, because I want that to become one of our new holiday traditions.
That’s the great thing about having kids. You get to make up your own traditions from scratch.
Going ice skating meant I couldn’t just dress up my kids to look cute in the pictures, I had to make sure they were comfortable and warm too. Thankfully, Gymboree’s clothes aren’t just stylish, they are kid-friendly and practical.
They sent us a big box of clothing with adorable matching hats, scarves, jackets, fleece vests, corduroy pants, hooded sweaters, down jackets, faux fur lined boots and even a thick quilted sweater dress for Harlow.
Everything coordinated so the girls could take anything they liked and make an outfit with their eyes closed.
When Mazzy and Harlow finished layering up for our little adventure, they looked adorable and ready to brave the cold.
Want to see what happened on our trip?
All the clothes featured in this post launched today— you can find Harlow’s look here and Mazzy’s look here. Plus, this week only, Mommy Shorts readers can get $25 off a $100 purchase by using MOMMYSHORTS at check-out (in stores and online).
You can also upload photos of your kids’ special holiday moments using the hashtags #BestTimetoBeaKid #Contest for the chance to win a $2,500 Gymboree shopping spree. To enter, click here and scroll to the bottom for details.
FYI- Gymboree filmed three families for this campaign— me, Jessica from Momma’s Gone City and Mario Lopez. Back in the early 90s, when I watched Saved by the Bell religiously on Saturday mornings, not once did I think— one day, me and Slater will be starring in back-to-back videos featuring our kids in Gymboree holiday clothing… but here we are!
Not that I actually got to meet Mario. I just got a big kick out of seeing his name next to mine in the press release.
Perhaps next year my holiday tradition will include skiing with Lisa Turtle and playing dreidel with Jessie Spano.
Now that would be an awesome tradition.
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This post was sponsored by Gymboree, but all thoughts, opinions and adorable children are my own.
What a fun thing to do as a family, girls look SO happy. It will be “the thing” they still remembers even when they are 80’s.
The video is precious. Love how it captured their sweetness and smiles. And also their great fashion sense, of course.
I loved at the end when Mazzy grabbed Harlow for a smooch. Such a good big sister!!
…and now I’m crying into my coffee. Great video!
LOVE the outfits and the video, Ilana! And I get your excitement about being featured with Mario Lopez, but I was definitely more of a Zack Morris fan myself. I would, however, pay to watch you play dreidel with Jessie Spano. And then you could both sing, “I’m so excited, I’m so…so…SCARED!” Remember that?
okay your kids are too cute but i think my favorite part was the fact that when they waved bye-bye to everyone(the camera) my son waved back to them… Cant wait to figure out what our traditions will be in the coming years!!!
Oh man, that totally makes me want to visit NYC for the holidays. Someday. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy the White House Christmas Tree, the lights at the Zoo, and ice skating at our little downtown area. Living near any major city is a pretty sweet deal when it comes to activities.
This is so adorable Ilana! What an awesome memory for you guys. Also, those clothes are sick 🙂
I know this website is all about Mazzy and Harlow, but Ilana, you are such an awesome mom. And you are beautiful, by the way! I always talk about how gorgeous your kids are, but they have one gorgeous mama they get their looks from! Your family is so blessed and such an excitement to watch grow. Thank you for sharing your family and stories with us all.
I love that, about being a parent. Being able to orchestrate the magic.