1. If you're heading up or down 5th Avenue towards the marvelous windows at Bergdorf's, don't fail to pause in front of Bendels. And kneel (toddlers may stand). I won't give it away but let's say the mice have their own clever and adorable ideas about how to celebrate the holidays--kids will be delighted.

2. Alice in Wonderland fans will adore the truly fantastic Bergdorf Windows which, though entitled, "A Cabinet of Curiosities", are replete with delightful Alice imagery and characters.

2. If the loud, interactive video display in Macy's front windows is not your cup of tea, DO turn round the corner onto 34th St. to catch their classic, annually appearing, and always delightful animated windows telling the story of Miracle on 34th Street.

3. If time is limited, stick to 5th Avenue and skip Bloomingdales for windows and much touted Sesame Street "Exhibition" which supposedly is an exclusive exhibit of favorite Sesame Street characters. The "exhibit" proved to be non-existent, however; we just saw a lot of ordinary Sesame Street plush toys being sold adjacent to a very bored (but nice) Santa in spartan surroundings (no line though). We double checked to make sure we weren't missing something (was the "exhibit" elsewhere?) but the sales clerk assured us that "this" was "it." As for the display windows, though a few indeed feature famous and more-or-less dynamic duos (some far better executed than others) it all seemed a bit half-baked to us with the remaining windows inexplicably offering a "sparkle-covered objects" theme focusing on multiples of shoes or toy bears--overall, hardly as cohesive or as enjoyable as last year's fun and clever retro-themed /Tony Bennet windows.

4. If you're seeing the windows at Saks BEWARE of cranky adults who don't realize that you have to wait for Twinkle-the-Snowflake to tell her (somewhat lengthy) story at each window. Chatty Twinkle talks a LOT and slows the line considerably--and kid-free adults don't expect windows that come with narration and its requisite lingering so we heard many exhortations to "move along" and "can't you see people are waiting?!" For that reason, GO EARLY when it's not crowded to avoid unnecessarily long lines and cranky comments.

5. The Lord & Taylor's "What We Love..." about Christmas windows are festive, magical and simply beautiful to behold--don't miss them! There are always clever details for the children to find, always something that makes all but the most jaded little ones oooh and aaah. The gingerbread carousel was a big favorite with us this year.