What: The two New York-based department stores, Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s, are through extravagant Christmas celebrations with brand and celebrity guests to ring in the holiday season.

Why it is important: Bergdorf Goodman pays tribute to artisans and craft techniques through their Christmas windows, while Bloomingdale’s celebrates its 150th anniversary, but both department stores are using live events, gift packages and VIP partnerships to attract customers.

Bergdorf Goodman’s seven holiday windows honour artisans and their techniques, traditions and handiwork while exploring the notion of “extraordinary thinking” and creativity. The campaign also encompasses in-store and digital presentations, exclusive products, and first-class travel experiences. Each window focuses on a particular craft: paper sculpture, woodworking, paper mâché, dressmaking, etc. Limited edition gifts rooted in craftsmanship are also available as part of Bergdorf’s partnership with Sarabande and Gabriela Hearst. Each will “pop up” with activations at various times throughout the season. In addition, key brand partners are offering gift packages ranging from 15,000 dollars to 150,000 dollars, such as one gift offered by Schiaparelli which includes a trip to Paris with extensive cultural, fashion and dining experiences.

Bergdorf’s digital channels have also released a “Magic in the Making” film featuring a cast of store associates as well as Victoria Beckham, Pat McGrath, Marc Jacobs, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Luar’s Raul Lopez.

Bloomingdale’s on the other hand gets a jump on the holiday season with the unveiling of its Christmas windows with a performance by Billy Porter. The store has expressed the alignment of Porter’s personality and mission of diversity and inclusion with Bloomingdale’s ethos and “B [folo] The Change” social purpose campaign. An assortment of 150th-anniversary items is showcased in the store windows, while the Little Brown Bear, an icon the company sells to help support the Child Mind Institute, is featured in another window, in an oversize, gold-coloured version.

One of the many in-store highlights is “The Carousel,” where shoppers can find “The Greatest Gifts” that have been curated by Ayesha Curry. The assortment includes more than 16 diverse, woman-owned brands, including Curry’s lifestyle brand, Sweet July.

Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s go over the top for Christmas - Bergdorf Goodman

Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s go over the top for Christmas - Bloomingdale's