A Very Rockland Holiday Guide

Where to sip, sit and shop this holiday season, all while supporting your local community.

We have officially entered the holiday season. Whether that induces cravings for warmer weather or you’ve been counting down the days since last year, almost all of us will be having to exchange gifts in the coming months. Sierra Lidén, Community Editor at RCT, has put together a list of some of her favorite businesses around Rockland County to inspire your gift giving season.

Upcoming Holidays 

Christmas – December 25th, 2024

New Years Eve – December 31st, 2024

Hanukkah – December 25th, 2024 – January 2nd, 2025

Kwanzaa – December 26th, 2024 – January 1st, 2025

Ramaadaan – February 28, 2025 – March 29th, 2025

Where to Go for Holiday Decorations

Noonan’s in Pearl River

Morgan’s in Tappan

Il Fresco in Orangeburg

Prohibition River in Nyack

The 76 House in Tappan

Best Holiday Cocktails

Hudson’s Mill

While Hudson Mill’s list of holiday cocktails is extensive, from a Naughty or Nice Margarita to a Peppermint Martini, we suggest you go for a truly unique drink. Hudson Mill’s Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire mixes up Jim Bean bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup and ginger beer, and the cocktail is then smoked with chestnuts and sage. The drink is served in a wood smoked glass, and voila! Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire – hold the Jack Frost nipping at my nose, please!

Prohibition River

For a cozy, downtown vibe check out Prohibition River in Nyack. They have recently added a few holiday cocktails to their menu, with a standout being Santa’s Hot Chocolate. This delightfully decadent drink includes chocolate infused bourbon, hot chocolate and cherry bitters. Skip the milk and cookies this year and give Santa what he really wants!

Remember: Drinking and driving don’t mix! Call on one of Rockland’s most famous reindeers – ‘Now, Uber! Now, Lyft! Now, taxis and DDs!’

Don’t let your holiday spirits ruin the holiday spirit. 

A Very Rockland Holiday Gift-Guide

The One Who Deserves a Break – Bear Mountain Spa Day

Know someone who has been running around decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, driving to holiday concerts, and taking care of just about everything? Well now it’s time to pamper them and send them off to a deluxe day at the Bear Mountain Spa. The cozy, woodsy interior of the Bear Mountain Inn up in the northern part of Rockland feels like a true getaway from the hustle and bustle (and rain and cold) that this little elf has undoubtedly earned. Our recommendation? Follow the holiday theme with a full body Peppermint Scrub and a Hot Cocoa Stone massage for some extra TLC.

The Golf Lover – Stony Point Patriot Lounge, Golf Simulator

Winter in New York – not exactly ideal golfing weather. However, at The Patriot Lounge in Stony Point, every day is a good day for golf! Book an hour at one of Patriot Lounge’s Trackman Golf Simulators. These simulators offer 276 courses from around the world. Want to make your gift extra special? Book a lesson with PGA certified staff in advance. With 20 Beer Draft lines and a delicious menu filled with golf themed puns, you might as well drop off your loved one for a few hours and go pick up your trophy for the “Best Gift Giver” award you’re winning this year.

The One Training to be the Next Elphaba – Black Parakeetz Karaoke

Is someone in your life belting Defying Gravity nonstop? Get them a gift card to go out with friends to Black Parakeetz and belt the night away. With over 7,000 songs to choose from and costumes and props in the private rooms, you can’t go wrong with this wickedly fun night out on the town. Add on a food and drink package for the party, and you’ll be sure to be very “popular”!

The Vintage Lover – A Rockland County Times Subscription

Know someone who laments being born “in the wrong generation”? Someone who loves vinyls, film photography, and refuses to swap their hardcover for a Kindle? Gift them the present that delivers every week – a Rockland County Times subscription! Help them stay plugged in to their community and discover all the best parts of Rockland County. Gift them their subscription with a bag of micro-roasted coffee from The Coffee Maker, some tea bags and sweets from Noble Essence Market, and a mug from Second Chance Shop in Nyack and you’re groovy, baby!

The Broadway Obsessed – Theatre Tickets

There is a lot of theatre in Rockland. From Penguin Rep, to Elmwood Playhouse, to the newly opened Antrim Playhouse there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Buy tickets to a show and spice up the routine of Netflix, couch and Instagram. Pair those tickets with a handwritten invitation to a nice dinner at somewhere like Hudson House, Giulio’s, or the 76 House and you’re sure to get a standing ovation for your showstopper of a gift! Brava!

The Book Worm – Big Red Books and Gena Lisa Lingerie

Recipe for gifting a cozy night in: Step 1: Head down to Big Red Books and have owner Richie Fulco hand pick a perfect story for your loved one. Step 2: Stroll down the street to Gena Lisa Lingerie and pick up a new pair of delectably soft pajamas (we’re partial to the queen bee set), and Step 3: Swing by Palmieri Wine Shop and pick up a bottle of their favorite red (or two… no one’s looking if you decide to keep one for yourself!).

Your Favorite Teacher – Flights and Pints and Lucas Candies

Teachers: a true gift to society. We can assure you, however, that your child’s teacher does not need another mug that says “#1 Teacher”. What they do need is a fun night off from being a teacher. For this, we suggest a gift card to Nyack’s Flights and Pints. This wine bar serves up flatbreads, charcuterie boards, and most importantly – wine flights and pints. Pair this with a handwritten thank you note and a box of traditionally made chocolates from Lucas Candies in Haverstraw and you are sure to win #1 Parent at the next PTA meeting.

The Crafter – The Stitchery and Jill’s Ceramics

Everyone knows that one person who is continuously picking up a new craft and is infuriatingly good at each one. Head over to The Stitchery and browse through the overstuffed aisles of every type of yarn imaginable and have owner Adam Leber guide you through the best selection for your loved one. Once you have your new needlework necessities, upgrade your gift with a dated invitation and gift card to Jill’s Ceramics in Bardonia. Spending time together being crafty is one of the best gifts you can give the artist in your life!

The One Who Misses Italy – Drop Pasta Not Bombs, Scott and Joe

We feel like everyone and their mother went to Europe this summer, and these grey skies can get us missing those sunkissed days. For your loved one being hit by the winter blues, bring them a delectable basket of Italian goodies. Stop by Drop Pasta Not Bombs and pick out your Italophile some house-made, fresh pasta. Pair it with the house made bolognese base made with Heritage breed pork and some slightly spicy pomodoro tomato sauce. Then, walk across the street and have the cheesemongers at Scott and Joe assemble a perfectly paired cheese plate for some antipasto. Divertiti!