Experience the Magic of MacKenzie-Childs: Holiday Collection 2009

New Holiday Line, A One-Of-A-Kind In-Store Experience In Manhattan, And Unique And Festive Holiday Products Nationwide

Aurora, NY (September 1, 2009) – American home furnishings company, MacKenzie-Childs, beloved for its whimsical and unique line of products, will welcome the holidays this year with their new holiday products perfect for everyone on your gift list. This year, the artisans at MacKenzie-Childs have challenged their imaginations more than ever before to create extraordinary, beautifully designed, hand painted and handcrafted items that will be available in a wide range of categories outlined below including tabletop, furniture, holiday trimmings as well as incredible one-of-a-kind products, gifts that give back and more that you can only find at MacKenzie-Childs.

Every MacKenzie-Childs product is made with an unparalleled attention to detail and with a commitment to creativity and true artistry. MacKenzie-Childs is located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York on a 65 acre former dairy farm overlooking Cayuga Lake. The company engages more than 100 artisans. Time-honored crafts—producing ceramics and home furnishings—thrive in the 21st century here on a small farm in rural, Central New York. From plates to planters, teapots to tureens, MacKenzie-Childs’ designs are alive with individuality. Since 1983, MacKenzie-Childs has made handcrafted ceramics, each piece a one-of-a-kind collectible. The company also designs and hand-decorates furniture, glassware, enamelware and other home furnishings. Inspired by the designs of the company’s creative director Rebecca Proctor, the company’s artisans create products that celebrate a tradition of American handcraftsmanship.

In the U.S., MacKenzie-Childs can be purchased in its retail stores in New York City, Palm Beach, and Aurora, New York; through www.MacKenzie-Childs.com and the Mackenzie-Childs catalog; and through distinctive fine retailers in the U.S., including Neiman Marcus, which are listed on the company's web site www.MacKenzie-Childs.com.

Here, a glimpse of some holiday highlights:

TABLETOP

The gourmand on your gift list would be thrilled to receive any one of MacKenzie-Childs’ beautifully hand-made and hand-painted Majolica ceramic creations. From the Taylor collection which features a medley of nine patterns designed to mix and match and work in harmony, choose the ceramic Odd Fellows Serving Platter ($105), with its lively design and fluted rim or the Odd Fellows Canister ($165), perfect for biscotti or breadsticks. The stylish Courtly Check Casserole Fork & Spoon ($55 each), handmade, hand-painted and embellished in gold luster, are a lovely accompaniment. Complete the holiday table with the ceramic hand-painted Taylor Pitcher (small, $115) – perfect for water, juice or even flowers – and the stately Courtly Check Enamel Candle Sticks ($165 each), painted in MacKenzie-Childs signature black and white check pattern. And if you are cozying up next to the fire, treat yourself to hot chocolate poured from the hand painted Piccadilly Hot Chocolate Pot ($215). Each of the ceramic items is handcrafted, hand-painted and meticulously designed and bears the stamp of the artisans who created them.

FURNITURE AND HOME FURNISHINGS

MacKenzie-Childs creates not only beautifully appointed and creative tablescapes but also its artisans craft furniture items and other home furnishings for the living room, dining room and even outdoors. A true piece of art and the centerpiece of any living area is the aptly named Ridiculous Bench ($3,850), a rectangular bench with a mix of patterns, faux marbling, gold lustre, and ceramic feet and trimmed with a sash of handmade glass beaded fringe. For the ultimate “his and hers” gift, nothing fits better than the Bergere-style Diva Chair ($4,350), with voluptuous curves covered in luxurious ruby and rose colored fabrics and the Maestro Chair ($3,450), a handsome armchair with its rich cobalt, crimson and gold textured and patterned fabrics. The dining room or entrance hall is brought to new heights with the Grandolier Chandelier ($1,950) with its Harlequin paper shades on six graceful arms of cast brass and hand-painted faux marbling, vivid stripes and gold luster. Even the mailman will be envious when he places notes in the Birdsong Mailbox ($450), with a flower pull, scalloped petals, braided trim and a sweet cast brass songbird atop.

HOLIDAY PRODUCTS AND HOLIDAY TRIMMINGS

Keepsake decorations are lovingly unpacked and displayed each holiday season. This year, MacKenzie-Childs introduces more than 60 new ornaments – including their signature Courtly Stripe Glass Ball Ornaments (large, set of 2, $62) and Courtly Check Teapot Ornament ($150), ceramic, handmade and hand painted in Aurora, NY – destined to become treasures for years to come. The centerpiece of any holiday table will be MacKenzie-Childs’ Putty Shard Tree (dark and light versions available, $750) meticulously decorated by their esteemed artists in putty and a mosaic of handmade and decorated majolica pottery and glass shards. The Piccadilly Nutcracker ($325), a traditional nutcracker with a MacKenzie-Childs twist and the Flower Box Stocking (large, $115) will beautifully complete any mantle.

GIFTS UNDER $100 and UNDER $50

The craftsmanship and great attention to detail of MacKenzie-Childs offerings can be found at every price level. For those looking for gifts under $100, the MacKenzie-Childs signature Courtly Check Heart Plate ($65) and the Courtly Check Enamel Pedestal Platter ($85) are lovely thoughts. As are the MacLachlan Hors D‘Oeuvre Plate ($95) with its braided edge and depiction of the rustic Aurora landscape or the Courtly Check Rattan and Enamel Bowl ($68) that looks as beautiful on the coffee table as it does as a bread basket. To call guests to dinner, the whimsical Mrs. Powers Dinner Bell ($95) crafted of forged iron harkens back to simpler times. Mrs. Powers, an Aurora neighbor, used a bell just like this one to call her family in to mid-day meals for more than 45 years.

For those searching for gifts under $50, MacKenzie-Childs offers its signature Courtly Check Rattan Tray (small, $40), Courtly Check Cheese Knife ($40) and the Courtly Check Enamel Salt & Pepper Shakers ($38), the perfect accompaniment to any place setting. For votives, flowers or as a decorative accent, the Ascot Glass Globe (large, $42) and the Mini Thistle Vase (pastel, $38) make exceptional gifts.

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