Each year department stores unveil their holiday window displays to admiring crowds. Festive windows have been a tradition in New York City since the 1870s; R.H. Macy, of the retailer Macy’s, is largely credited with having created one of the first Christmas window displays in 1874.
In recent years, gazing into store windows has become almost as much a tradition as the actual buying of gifts, which of course, is the ultimate goal of the windows–to get shoppers in the door. Today, an estimated 15,000 people pass by the store’s elaborate windows every hour during the season.
Shoppers gather around a window, 1900, New York City. Image: Library of Congress
Christmas shoppers, window shopping, New York, 1900. Image: Library of Congress
Boy looking at Xmas toys in shop window, 1900, New York City. Image: Library of Congress
Children looking at Xmas toys in shop window, 1900, New York City. Image: Library of Congress
Christmas toys on display, 1910, New York City. Image: Library of Congress
Captivated by Christmas toys, 1910, New York City. Image: Library of Congress
