For more than five decades, American Christmas has been bringing extraordinary holiday décor to New York City and beyond. Founded in 1968, American Christmas has grown from a local provider to a national leader, serving clients across the United States with offices and warehouses in Mount Vernon, NY, Maryland, and Memphis.
Today, American Christmas proudly provides holiday décor experiences for JFK International Airport Terminal 8, LaGuardia Airport Terminal B, and Newark Airport Terminal A, along with iconic brands and destinations including Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Burberry, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Radio City Music Hall, Fox News, Harry Winston, Bergdorf Goodman, Rockefeller Center, and an extensive roster of real estate companies, hotels, hospitals, and more.
The Modern Airport: A New Opportunity
Airports are no longer mere transit hubs – they are evolving into experiential destinations. According to the Amadeus Airline Industry Report, today’s travelers seek “a sense of place” and want to feel welcomed, safe, inspired, and emotionally engaged throughout their journey.
At the same time, longer check-in times, increased security procedures, and higher traveler volume mean people are spending more time in terminals than ever before – often under considerable stress. This creates a powerful opportunity for airports to transform these environments through ambiance, design, and emotional connection.
The Power of Décor & Atmosphere Lighting
At American Christmas by MK Illumination, atmosphere lighting and holiday décor can dramatically improve the traveler experience. Lighting creates environments that reduce stress and enhance satisfaction. Satisfied travelers spend 10% more time in the airport and are twice as likely to shop. Additionally, they spend up to 20% more in duty-free, making atmosphere lighting a powerful driver of airport revenue.
As gateways to cities and countries, airports can use lighting to ensure that travelers’ first impressions are positive, memorable, and emotionally resonant.
American Christmas’ work illustrates this beautifully; rather than viewing the airport as simply a transition point, thoughtful décor & lighting design turn the terminal into an inviting, uplifting part of the journey.
A 360° Approach
American Christmas designs, manufactures, transports, installs, and maintains every installation. This complete, end-to-end approach ensures that each project meets the highest standards of quality and efficiency and that every design is perfectly adapted to the unique layout, flow, and identity of its space.
Transforming Terminals Into Destinations
Dynamic light scenes, interactive elements, and immersive photo moments turn terminals from places travelers pass through into places they want to linger in.
In addition to creating a stronger sense of place, increased dwell time, and revenue, shareable moments and dynamic light scenes elevate brand identity and create spaces that feel comfortable, joyful, and human. This is the power of light: turning emotion into value, blending creativity with technology, and transforming everyday environments into meaningful experiences.
More Than Décor — A Strategy for Urban Happiness
Holiday décor is not just ornamental. It is a strategic tool that brings people together, boosts local tourism, strengthens communities, and inspires loyalty. It also encourages dwell time and fuels economic sustainability. When people feel better in a space, they stay longer, explore more, and contribute to the vibrancy of the environment. Airports and retail developments built around joyful design aren’t just more beautiful – they are more successful.
Creating Places People Want to Be
American Christmas creates places people truly want to be. Holiday décor and lighting have the power to unite, inspire, and elevate everyday experiences. They don’t just support the journey – they become part of the journey itself.
