I’ve never been one to Christmas shop early. Many a year I’ve pleaded with myself to have it all done before Thanksgiving, never happened. Now I accept the fact that I will never actually shop early and that’s ok. I’ve found the key is to shop with purpose, know what you want to get before even entering a store, even better order as much as possible online. However there is one place I will always go to just to wander with no particular agenda at Christmastime and that is the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman. Yes I know, here I go again singing the praises of Bergdorf, but it is a unique to New York establishment and that alone makes it rare in this era of globalization and mass retailers. It was founded in 1899 and has been at its present location since 1914, and it has never lost its luster.
The seventh floor of Bergdorf never fails to get me in the Christmas spirit. The warm and cozy atmosphere harkens back to a more genteel time in New York, when people had cocktails at five and dressed for dinner. My first stop on seven is the room dedicated to all things Christmas. I’m there strictly for the ornaments, but if you fancy a life size polar bear to grace your foyer or any member of the Clause family, it can be had there as well. This is the one place where BG’s high standards of good taste are relaxed. I once asked a friend who for years was the top merchant of the floor why they have larger than life size elves and the like? His answer was blunt; it sells.
The rest of the floor is overflowing with tasteful treasure for that hard to please person on your list. Much are one of a kind antiques for the table and bar. There’s also a well-curated selection of books both new and vintage and the best selection of scented candles anywhere. Here some highlights.
