‘My Favorite Christmas Traditions’ Lord & Taylor’s 2008 Holiday Windows Now Open Through New Year’s Day

NEW YORK, Nov. 17 / — Lord & Taylor announces the opening of its 2008 holiday windows, My Favorite ChristmasTraditions. Thelegendary windows, regarded “the gold standard” of holiday displays, were unveiled at a ceremony filled with a happy mix of timeless and cherished classics, in front of the store’s flagship on Fifth Avenue, Thursday, November 13. A much loved aspect of the holiday season is showcased in each of the windows, through New Year’s Day. Treasured Christmas stories, cards, treats, music, ornaments and toys are portrayed in elaborate scenes packed with exquisite animated figures and exacting details.

None other than Santa Claus, was the master of the opening ceremonies, bringing holiday cheer to the big crowd of New Yorkers who braved rain and wind to be present at this annual ritual, considered by many the unofficial opening of the New York holiday season. The festivities began with a special performance by the Broadway cast of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The choir of PS 236/173, the LangstonHughesYoungExplorersAcademy, under the direction of Mr. Osborn, delighted everyone with joyful renditions of holiday favorites.

“For more than 80 years Lord & Taylor’s windows have been an essential element of the enchantment of Christmas in New York,” said Brendan Hoffman, Lord & Taylor’s president and CEO. “Once again, they are our gift to the city’s joyful holiday spirit.”

Hoffman presented a donation to the fund for public schools. On December 2, Lord & Taylor will host Shopping Can Be Educationalan event to benefit the fund’s efforts in developing and sustaining more than 1,400 New York City schools.

Lord & Taylor is an upscale specialty department store with 47 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia. Lord & Taylor has built a reputation for attentive customer service and high-quality merchandise focused on apparel and accessories. Founded in 1826, Lord & Taylor is America’s oldest department store and one of America’s premier retailers.