NYC Christmas 2021: Decorating a Simple French Tree in a Small Apartment + Dyker Heights During Covid
Christmas 2021 was unlike any other. We were deep in the middle of a global pandemic, New York City was quieter than I had ever seen it, and the usual holiday rush felt worlds away. But if anything, the stillness made the season feel more meaningful — it pushed us to find joy in smaller, simpler things.
For me, that meant going all in on making our tiny one-bedroom apartment feel like the coziest place on earth. I'm French, so my approach to Christmas decor has always been a little different — simple, elegant, and not overly cluttered. No giant inflatable Santas, no blinking everything. Just a beautiful tree, soft lights, and the warmth of the season.
When the world outside feels heavy, make your home a sanctuary.
Sometimes limitations are exactly what you need to find what truly matters.
Our little tree, fully decorated — a corner of pure Christmas magic in a small NYC apartment.
Decorating My Christmas Tree — French Simple Style in a NYC One-Bedroom
I filmed my entire tree decorating process so you could follow along! Our apartment is small — very NYC — so I had to be intentional about every single ornament and every branch. Growing up in France, we always kept our trees simple and timeless: a few classic glass baubles, some ribbon, warm white lights, and that was it. No theme, no excess — just the quiet beauty of the season.
If you live in a small apartment and feel like you can't really "do" Christmas, I hope this vlog shows you otherwise. You don't need a lot of space or a lot of money. You just need a little intention — and maybe a small tree.
Watch me decorate my Christmas tree, French style, in our small NYC apartment.
Christmas in a Small Space — My French Approach
In France, we tend to keep Christmas decor understated. There's a certain aesthetic — you might call it Parisian — that values restraint and elegance over abundance. A neutral palette, a few meaningful ornaments, greenery rather than glitter. I grew up loving that vibe, and I carried it with me to New York.
Our apartment is a one-bedroom, which means the living room doubles as everything. So the tree had to earn its place without taking over. I went with a slim artificial tree (real trees are a mission in NYC, honestly), warm white fairy lights, a mix of matte and glass ornaments in white and gold, and a simple star topper. That's it. And it was perfect.
The key to decorating a small space for Christmas is to pick one focal point and let it shine. For us, that was the tree in the corner by the window. Everything else in the room stayed minimal so the tree could do its thing. A candle here, a sprig of eucalyptus there — but nothing that competed for attention.
Cozy moments by the tree — and the cashmere sweater that made the whole vibe complete.
Dyker Heights During Covid — Brooklyn's Most Magical Christmas Lights
If you've never heard of Dyker Heights, it's a neighborhood in Brooklyn that goes completely all-out with Christmas lights every year. Think massive animated displays, life-size nutcrackers, thousands of lights on every single house on the block. It is absolutely wild — and I love it.
In 2021, we weren't sure if we'd be able to go. But it's an outdoor experience, and with masks on and a little social distancing, we made it happen. The streets were a little less packed than usual, which honestly made the whole thing even more special. We had space to breathe, to really look, to take it all in.
Our socially-distanced visit to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn — the most over-the-top Christmas lights in NYC.
Why Dyker Heights Is Worth the Trip
Dyker Heights is one of those New York traditions that feels completely disconnected from the city's usual cool-and-minimal aesthetic — and I mean that as the highest compliment. The homeowners in this Brooklyn neighborhood compete every year to outdo each other with their holiday displays, and the result is something truly spectacular.
We took the subway out there, walked the main blocks with our masks and hot drinks in hand, and just... marveled. After months of restrictions, of cancelled plans, of a city that felt muted, seeing those lights felt like a real gift. It reminded us that joy is stubborn. That people find ways to celebrate and bring light into the world no matter what.
If you're in New York during the holidays — even if you're only here for a day — add Dyker Heights to your list. It's free, it's outdoors, and it will genuinely make you feel like a kid again.
Finding Magic in a Difficult Year
Looking back on Christmas 2021, what I remember most isn't the pandemic or the restrictions. I remember our little tree glowing in the corner of our apartment while snow fell outside. I remember the lights of Dyker Heights reflecting on the wet Brooklyn sidewalks. I remember that even in one of the hardest years of our lives, there was so much beauty to be found if we just looked for it.
If you're going through a hard season right now — whether it's a global one or a personal one — I hope this reminds you that small things can carry enormous joy. A twinkling tree in a tiny apartment. A walk through a neighborhood that refused to let the darkness win. These things matter.
Choosing to celebrate, even when things are hard, is an act of courage.
Make your space beautiful. It will make you feel better than you think.
Thank you so much for watching these vlogs and for being here. If you recreate any of these ideas in your own small space, I would absolutely love to see it — share it with me on Instagram. Wishing you a warm and magical holiday season, wherever you are.
