Sneak peek at some of the Manhattan window displays for the holidays

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Nothing says the holiday season is here like the elaborate window displays at department stores across Manhattan.

They attract people from all around the world, creating sidewalk gridlock during the busy holiday season.

We got a sneak peek of what shoppers can expect to see this year.

And the planning for these windows actually started right around this time last year.

Holiday windows offer yet another attraction for tourists and New Yorkers, and the two stores we visited Tuesday offer displays that range from classic New York to high intensity.

"We set a goal this year to do the sparkliest windows anyone had ever seen," said Bergdorf Goodman Senior Director of Visual Presentation David Hoey.

Mission accomplished. Walk by Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue and those sparkles may lure you in. The theme: 'Brilliant Holiday'.

A partnership with Swarovski Crystals made it possible. Millions of crystals were affixed to objects both small and large, months in the making according to Hoey, who oversees the store's visual presentation.

"This is arts and crafts on a grand scale," he said. "Believe it or not every crystal, pearl and Swarovski element was handplaced in five of the tallest windows in town."

"They have to work whether you're in a speeding Uber on Fifth Avenue or whether you're walking slowly and doing that holiday evening stroll," said Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo.

And as you stroll by Bergdorfs, you'll notice crystallized suits of armor. The crystal ball window has a bedazzled palm and Neptune all in pearls, and crystal birthday cakes to celebrate Swarovski's 20 years.

"We enjoy this for an hour or two and then we start planning next year, believe it or not," said Hoey.

Further south along Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel is also celebrating 120 years. The windows aren't about sparkle, but the sophisticated and whimsical New York woman captured by the artist Izak Zenou.

Izak has teamed with the store for 20 years, and you'll recognize his style.

"I'm trying to capture the spirit of New York, the New York girl, the quintessential New York girl," said Zenou.

And his work can be found throughout the store, and also found on gift items, like makeup bags and mugs.

"Our personality really is a playful personality, we call ourselves the girls playground, so Izak's work just has been part of our DNA for the last 20 years," said Henri Bendel's Creative Director Pina Ferlisi.

And both stores are having holiday related contests. Guess the number of crystals in the windows of Bergdorf Goodman and you win a prize, and Henri Bendel is also offering a chance to win a portrait session with Isak.

Click here for details on the Bergdorf Goodman contest

Click here for details on the Henri Bendel contest or enter at any Henri Bendel store.