FAO Schwarz® Celebrates The Holidays With One-Of-A-Kind Gifts, Festive Decor And First Class In-Store Services

WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As stockings are stuffed and mistletoe is hung, the world's most renowned toy store has decked its halls in preparation for the holiday season. The FAO Schwarz^® flagship store in New York City has served as a must-see holiday destination for more than 150 years, creating timeless memories for generations of visitors big and small. Filled with unique toys that star in only the most wondrous holiday dreams, from classic brands such as Hansa, Steiff^® and Tonner^®, to current Barbie^® and LEGO^® must-haves, each item found at FAO Schwarz is selected for its quality, craftsmanship and the ability to deliver the gift of joy to little ones around the world. And, in the spirit of giving joy this holiday season and helping children in need, FAO Schwarz shoppers are encouraged to make monetary contributions in-store through Christmas Eve to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

In addition to its unmatched selection of merchandise, the legendary toy store will offer customers unique experiences throughout the holiday season, including a twirl around The BIG Piano, made famous in the family-favorite 1988 movie, Big, as well as store tours led by an FAO Schwarz Toy Soldier, themed birthday parties, cookie decorating with Cookie Party^® and more. And, on Friday, December 5, the store will host award-winning artist, designer and children's book author, Michael Storrings, who will meet with fans and sign merchandise artfully designed exclusively for FAO Schwarz.

"For years, FAO Schwarz has delivered memorable moments to millions of families around the world through its assortment of expertly crafted toys and extraordinary in-store experiences, making our flagship store a must-see destination throughout the year," said Mindy Clements, Vice President, New York City Flagship Stores, Toys"R"Us. "This holiday season we are excited to welcome the many visitors from across the globe as they experience the magic that FAO Schwarz has to offer, and we are honored to be part of their special holiday memories."

Distinctive Toys on Display at FAO Schwarz
Every trip to FAO Schwarz begins with a friendly greeting from an FAO Schwarz Toy Solider, ushering eager holiday shoppers lined up along 58^th Street into the world-famous store. Once inside, customers will find themselves transported into a winter wonderland, with the store's Great Hall lined with twinkling trees, as well as extraordinary toys and fanciful Christmas ornaments that are sure to captivate audiences of all ages. As visitors wander the store's three enchanting levels, they will find newly showcased specialty items, including a limited edition Monopoly^® 3D board game, signed and numbered by renowned 3D pop artist, Charles Fazzino, a Luxury Edition 3D CLUE^® board game encased in glass, an exclusive Swarovski Red Jeweled Classic Etch-A-Sketch and the Isaac Mizrahi Collection by Madame Alexander, all of which are displayed on Level Two of the flagship store.

For additional gift ideas that can be found only at FAO Schwarz, including a hand-painted heirloom FAO Schwarz Rocking Horse, 2014 FAO Schwarz Collectible Bear or FAO Schwarz Plush Patrick the Pup Rocker, customers can browse the 2014 FAO Schwarz Holiday Catalog, boasting 40 pages of wondrous gifts, inspiring innovative and imaginative play for children of all ages. Items featured in the catalog can be ordered online at FAO.com or by contacting 800-426-8697.

FAO Schwarz Helps Give Joy to Kids in Need
In the spirit of the holiday season, local residents and visitors to New York City can help give joy to some of the 14.7 million children living in poverty in the United States by making a monetary contribution at FAO Schwarz to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. In-store donations collected through Christmas Eve will be used to purchase toys for children who might otherwise go without presents under the tree on Christmas morning.   

FAO Schwarz to Host Author Michael Storrings During Exclusive Signing Event
On Friday, December 5 at 11:30am, award-winning artist, designer and author, Michael Storrings, will visit FAO Schwarz to meet fans at a special signing event in the Great Hall. Storrings will autograph merchandise designed exclusively for FAO Schwarz, including ornaments, stationary, playing cards and more, each with a unique design depicting the store's iconic FAO Schwarz Clock Tower, BIG Piano and Toy Soldier.

New Shops Make Their Way to FAO Schwarz
This year, the company has opened numerous new store-within-a-store concepts, introducing fresh customer experiences and merchandise offerings, including Claire's, one of the world's leading specialty retailers of fashion jewelry and accessories; Marbles the Brain Store, providing an assortment of fun, smart games, gifts and gadgets to build better brains; and Hiho Batik, a New York–based art studio that uses wax and dyes to personalize apparel and accessories.

Store Experiences That Make For an Unforgettable Visit
A visit to FAO Schwarz is a time-honored tradition for millions of families around the world. This holiday season (and beyond), the company is offering extra special experiences to make each visit unforgettable.

• FAO Schwarz Store Tour: Kids and kids at heart can experience the wonder of the world's most storied toy store with a private, behind-the-scenes tour hosted by an FAO Schwarz Toy Soldier. Conducted before the store opens to the public, visitors can take a stroll through the sensational toy store during which they will learn about memorable moments in the store's history, have an opportunity to "test-drive" some great toys and participate in a candy raid at FAO Schweetz. Additionally, tour-goers will enjoy a continental breakfast which is served in the FAO Schwarz Party Room. For reservations, visitors can contact 212-644-9400 x 4244.
• The BIG Piano: Visitors from around the world flock to FAO Schwarz to relive an iconic scene from the movie Big on the store's larger-than-life BIG Piano. Aspiring musicians are encouraged to kick off their shoes and dance on the piano's humongous keys to create a musical masterpiece. Visitors to the BIG Piano can also have their picture taken before taking center stage (prices vary).
• Cookie Party: This fun, creative and interactive cookie decorating experience, provides New York City-area families and visitors a new and exciting way to celebrate a child's birthday or special day in the city. Hosted by a world-famous Toy Soldier in the FAO Schwarz Party Room and at the Cookie Party kiosk on Level Two, kids will receive their very own apron to decorate and wear, sugar dough to roll and shape, and an assortment of toppings to finish their cookie masterpiece. For more information or to make a reservation, cookie connoisseurs can contact 212-644-9400 x4173.
• Celebration Destination: FAO Schwarz is a spectacularly fun space to host a party – from birthday parties to baby showers and corporate events – in New York City. Offering a variety of themes from dance parties and scavenger hunts to parties for every princess and super hero (even an in-store sleepover!), each party is customized to fit the needs of its special guests. To find out more about planning the perfect party, visitors can contact 212-644-9400 x4173.

Extraordinary Customer Service Offerings
FAO Schwarz has long been known for its first class customer service, from complimentary personal shoppers to gift wrappers who add that final, creative touch. Highly-trained personal shoppers are available for gift-givers who need a little extra help to find that perfect toy, and the service is tailored to shoppers' preferences, time and budget. Customers can sit back, relax and let the professional shoppers work their magic. And, whether sending that gift to Bali or Brooklyn, customers are invited to take advantage of the wonderful shipping options available at FAO Schwarz. For out-of-town shoppers, the store also offers hotel delivery service. For more information about the store's personal shopping, shipping or gift wrap services (prices vary), shoppers can contact 212-644-9400 x3043.

For the latest news about the holiday season at FAO Schwarz, follow FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FAOSchwarz.

For images of products featured in 2014 FAO Schwarz Holiday Catalog, visit the Toys"R"Us Holiday Press Room.

About  FAO Schwarz
For more than 150 years, FAO Schwarz has been a brand synonymous with quality and innovation, offering an unparalleled selection of one-of-a-kind toys that have enchanted generations and cultivated a loyal clientele. The famous FAO Schwarz flagship store in New York City, which attracts millions of visitors annually, is the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. The complete assortment of the company's products, including a line of unique toys marketed under the FAO Schwarz brand name, can be found in-store and online at FAO.com. The iconic FAO Schwarz brand is exclusively operated by Toys"R"Us, Inc., the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. For additional information visit Toysrusinc.com and follow FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/FAO.

SOURCE FAO Schwarz

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