Traditional NYC Department Store Holiday Windows 2008

Your children's holiday memories won't be about the toys they get under the tree, they're going going to be about the wonderful holiday traditions that your family shared. One of these traditions should be going to see the department store Holiday window displays. These festive holiday windows are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and this simply magical experience is completely free.

Lots of people like to do the Holiday Windows Walk on Christmas Eve, but it's also a great way to walk off your Thanksgiving dinner because it tends to be less crowded when the stores are closed. We've rounded up the best ones for kids (the more traditional displays), plus some other great Holiday stops to visit while you're in the neighborhood.

Macy's
34th Street Herald Square
Macy's is the originator of this tradition and, rightly so, they are pushing their Holiday windows to new heights this year. Their windows are actually interactive. The theme of the Macy's windows this year is Believe and the windows work to build up the fantasy of Christmas that children can believe in. One of the window displays has one of those arcade cranes that you can add ingredients into the making of a star. When you visit the Macy's Holiday Windows, make sure you bring your (stamped) letters to Santa to drop in the special Santa Mailbox. Macy's will donate $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation for every letter sent.

Here's a little tidbit you can share with your kids too: the original Macy's window displays were mechanized and powered by store employees on treadmills!

Lord and Taylor
Fifth Avenue and 38th St
If you need some ideas for family Holiday traditions you could go shopping for some in the Holiday window displays at Lord and Taylor. They've got just about every traditional Christmas activity depicted in their mechanized victorian-styled windows from decorating the tree, to popping popcorn, The Nutcracker, gingerbread houses, A Christmas Carol, Russian Dancers and on and on.

Saks
Fifth Avenue and 49th St
I think Saks windows are really pretty. They have a snowmen theme and and are a little more modern in their design, while still being traditional.

Bloomingdales
59th St and Lexington Avenue
The Bloomingdales windows are also going with a nostalgic theme in 2008. The windows are right out of Life Magazine circa 1960 with Norman Rockwell style illustrations and picture perfect Christmas scenes.

Other Holiday Window Displays:

The above displays are the more traditional Christmas-y ones for kids, but there are also elaborate window displays at Bergdorf Goodman (Fifth Avenue and 58th St.) and Barney's New York (Madison and 61st St.)

Here are some other activities nearby:

Visit the Rockefeller Christmas Tree which is directly across from Saks.

Go skating in Bryant Park.

Visit the Holiday Train Show and Market in Grand Central Terminal.

An easier way to get in the spirit:

To see all the Holiday Windows can be a long trek with kids. For an easier way to catch some Holiday magic, you can take the 5th Avenue bus from 59th Street or from The Metropolitan Museum of Art at night. You won't see the windows up close, but even the stores are decorated and seeing all the shoppers milling around the crowded streets, you can pick up some Holiday cheer without getting stuck in the crowds.

For more Holiday Activities check out our Holiday Guide.

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