Christmas Decorations and In-Store Displays

Every year it seems that retailers decorate for Christmas and the Holiday Season a little earlier--which leads to some folks complaining about "pushing" Christmas / the Holidays. For the most part of course, this is "driven" by the "sales" --not so much by a "spiritual" or "feel good" focus.

I LOVE the white lights, the colored lights, the greens, the nutcracker soldiers, everything that is included in a Christmas / Holiday display!  From white lights ( my preference ) inside that warm the house year round to lights and light displays outside a home or business--all add warmth and cheer and shout "Welcome" to anyone passing by!

In advising retailers or downtown associations, I recommend white lights all or most of the year --outside especially --but even inside!  If your preference is lights of various colors, I'm suggesting they go up the first week or two of November and stay lit through January!  Greens and wreaths should be displayed all winter.  We want people ( in our homes ) and potential customers feel attracted to coming to our businesses and, hopefully, spending money!  The correct lights and greens create an atmosphere that makes people want to spend time at your business!

Indoor Holiday / Christmas lights and decorations---beyond white lights --should be up from early November through January.  These displays tend to be "Christmas-y"--and not everyone appreciates those decorations --or celebrate Christmas of course---but that time frame is appropriate with what the bulk of your customers find attractive.   At least, that's what I suggest to clients.

As far as the other "complaint" that you hear now and then, selling "Christmas or Holiday" themed items or decorations like wrapping paper, cards, decorations, etc...my advice for retail clients has always been--if your customers choose to purchase items like that anytime of the year--you need to provide those items!

Christmas, as many of you reading this blog right now--hearkens happier emotions than we deal with most days ---at best a sense of spirituality mixed with mystery --at least a sense of pleasant escape from life's concerns and challenges.   If lights, decorations, and merchandise to purchase provide that--then why not extend those feelings of welcome and joy!