What would make Christmas even more exciting and wondrous as it already is? Perhaps being able to sleepover at NYC’s marvellous FAO Schwarz toy store a few days before the big fella in red arrives.
Christmas magic has arrived early for one lucky family in New York, after managing to nab themselves an exclusive sleepover at the famous toy store, as seen in blockbusters ‘Bif’ and ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’.
As a kid, (and adult – because, let’s face it, adults are basically just big kids anyway), toy stores are some of the most whimsical places to visit, especially at Christmas.
FAO Schwarz did actually close the doors of its iconic Manhattan flagship store back in 2015 after 153 years but then reopened in 2018 at the Rockefeller Plaza.
The best sleepover ever
Airbnb listed the exclusive one night only sleepover for one family to stay in on 21 December.
As you can imagine, it sold out instantly.
The listing reads:
“Get ready to cozy up amidst towers of toys and games galore for a holiday celebration unlike any other. The 20,000-square-foot flagship store is yours for the evening — and with it, private access to the store’s world of theater, imagination and wonder, along with memories to last you and your family a lifetime.”
Pretty amazing, hey?
The lucky family will be greeted by a real-life FAO Schwarz toy and treated to a world of exciting inclusions; such as a shopping spree, yummy food, and a music lesson dance on the store’s giant piano, just as Tom Hanks did.
Other inclusions include the opportunity to build a plush toy and a remote-controlled car of your own design and then race it down the aisles of FAO Schwarz and take part in an immersive science experiment guided by Professor Atlas.
Bedrooms are winter chic and come with a sleigh bed, plus bunk beds equipped with a slide.
Jealous much?
What’s in store for Australia?
Okay, so it’s not really up there with the same enchantment levels as FAO Schwarz, but for the shopping lovers here in Australia, Airbnb has teamed up with Myer to list their flagship Melbourne store on the platform, offering one family the opportunity to stay overnight in Australia’s favourite department store in the lead up to Christmas.
Yuletide activities will be included, as well as:
- Shopping with Myer Ambassador Kris Smith (plus a sizable store credit to spend along the way)
- An indulgent Christmas feast with all the trimmings cooked by Masterchef’s very own, Khanh Ong
- A bed-time story read by Eddie Perfect, who narrated the Myer Christmas Windows this year
- An afterhours private tour of the Myer Christmas windows with Creative and Technical Director, John Kerr
- A Salvation Army toy grab collecting as many toys and presents as possible over a 5min period, to donate to children in need
The Airbnb x Myer Christmas listing will be made available to book from 12.01pm this Saturday 19th December via airbnb.com/myerchristmas, for $65 to mark 65 years of Myer’s iconic Christmas windows.