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MACY’S flagship store in Midtown Manhattan draws thousands of visitors each year thanks to its festive windows and Santa meet-and-greets.
But the store’s November 21 window reveal left fans shaking their heads at the “craptastic” decor.
This year’s windows theme Give Love, which highlights the ways in which togetherness is celebrated during the holidays.
The display features Macy’s signature stars, which are often seen as inflated balloons in its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Elves dressed for winter are featured with New York City scenes playing out behind them.
There are giant hearts, presents, and more as part of the festive automated display.
“It’s really amazing just to stand back and watch people’s faces,” Macy’s National Windows Director Manny Urquizo told local CW affiliate WPIX.
“The joy that the windows bring to their faces it’s just really special and heartwarming.”
But the post-reveal reaction has been lukewarm on social media.
“It’s giving bare minimum with a side of basic,” one person commented on an Instagram post by @secret_nyc.
“Underwhelming,” read another comment.
“Creepy and not super interesting. Maybe it’s better in person,” someone else chimed in.
“Well that’s craptastic! Can tell where the budget cuts came from,” another said.
“They could never be Saks but then again Saks isn’t even doing this anymore,” another wrote.
SAK-RILEGE
Fans were left fuming in early November after The U.S. Sun reported Saks canceled its annual light show after two decades.
A Saks Fifth Avenue spokesperson told The U.S. Sun that the store is changing direction.
“For many years, the holidays at Saks Fifth Avenue included a light show at our flagship store, and, for some time we have contemplated changing our approach,” the spokesperson shared.
“In our 100th year, which also marks the anniversary of the flagship, we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the facade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known.”
The store’s famous decorated windows, however, will return.
“We look forward to welcoming customers to our holiday windows throughout the season and invite them to discover inspiring gifts and unique holiday offerings within the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship,” the spokesperson continued.
The holiday windows tradition was started by Macy’s in 1874.
Saks only joined in on the fun in 2004.
The joy that the windows bring to their faces it’s just really special and heartwarming.
Manny Urquizo
But it quickly became a fan-favorite holiday tradition with its over-the-top designs.
Lights were projected on the side of the flagship Saks store, which faces the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, in 10-minute intervals all through the holiday season.
In 2023, the store wowed with a spectacular Dior-sponsored show that drew thousands of fans to Fifth Avenue daily.
The Carousel of Dreams window collaboration was a sprawling spectacular that could be seen for blocks.
Fans disappointed by the cancelation of this year’s Saks show can instead check out the Macy’s windows or the dozens of other festive shops in the midtown area.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Macy’s for comment.
