The holidays are all about tradition. This can mean going home to see the family, gathering your crew for a "friendsgiving" potluck of epic proportions, or snuggling at home for a marathon of festive flicks. In many cities, you know that it truly 'tis the season once the normally barren trees and intersections of your evening commute are speckled with twinkly lights. In New York, people do what's typically unthinkable: head to midtown Manhattan for fun. That's because the city's storied shops deck their windows with magical, dizzying displays to get us in a seasonally spirited mood.Every year (way before our regularly-scheduled jolliness kicks in), department stores pull out all the stops — and one-up themselves — with their holiday decor. New York institutions like Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman dream bigger and sparklier, creating elaborate (even interactive ) displays for all to enjoy. Other retailers follow suit in adorning their flagships, some literally taking things outside the box. To wit: Instead of a traditional window display, the Bulgari boutique decorated the facade of the building with a light-up, bejeweled garland. Tinsel alone simply won't cut it.What better way to spend the quiet lull leading up to that Thanksgiving feast tomorrow (and the Black Friday madness to follow) than ooh-ing and aah-ing over the most impressive window displays this season? Ahead, marvel at some of NYC's dreamiest holiday windows.