Priceless New York: FAO Schwarz Before-Hours

I have to tell you about another amazing NYC event I attended recently--a party at FAO Schwarz to kick-off the holiday launch of Mastercard's "Priceless New York" campaign. Perhaps you have seen the "Priceless" commercial where a young boy gets to drive around an empty FAO Schwarz (an hour before opening time) in a toy car. Well, that's basically what a bunch of people from the media--including myself--got to do (except we did not squeeze into toy cars). We were invited to FAO Schwarz early in the morning to tour the famed store before it opened to throngs of holiday shoppers (if you've ever been to the flagship FAO store on Fifth Avenue around this time of year, you know it is usually a mob scene). So these views were very special indeed:





In a nutshell, Mastercard is spreading the word about its "Priceless New York" campaign. It offers amazing benefits in return for simply signing up (for free!) at mastercard.com/pricelessny if you are already a card holder. You'll enjoy perks like complimentary delivery on your FAO purchases (minimum purchase required), behind-the-scenes access at sporting and music events, and even a private Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade viewing party in a warm (indoor) party room at a top NYC hotel. Check out all the perks here--I am a Mastercard holder myself and had no idea before that I was entitled to all of these things.

And, now onto some of my favorite picks--and eye candy--from my off-hours glimpse at the world's most famous toy store:

Everything Hello Kitty that you could possibly want:


Barbie notecards--love these.


Frank Sinatra barbie ($39.99) and other collectible Barbies:


Vintage Cabbage Patch Kids ($59.99) are back!



I always wanted to "adopt" a baby ($84.99) from FAO's "Newborn Nursery:


These "Sites to See" building sets by Nano Block help your child replicate real-life architectural wonders.


Richard Scarry's Richard Scarry's Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset with DVDBy: The Bridge Direct ($39.99) is a great holiday gift for a preschool boy or girl.



Even if you don't buy any products from the extensive Lego selection, the life-sized Indiana Jones made from thousands of Legos is a site to behold>


Right now at FAO you can design your own Muppet "WhatNot" (not sure of exact price but I'm guessing it's a lot).



FAO's flagship store used to house a luncheonette (we ate there for R's 4th birthday) but now it's been replace by a sweets-only retail area:



How about these? Mmmm.


Hope that I have whet your appetite for all sorts of goodies at FAO Schwarz. If you're a Mastercard holder, be sure to take advantage of Priceless NY benefits while there!