From Cheerful Offices to Festive Shops: Why Your Business Needs a Little Christmas

Christmas decorations help generate a special atmosphere in your store that is hard to capture at other times of the year. The holiday magic you create with lights, colors and music feels new and exhilarating, with a warmth and cheer that invites visitors to linger in your shop.

In addition, holiday decor can positively affect sales. Christmas decorations inspire a sense of nostalgia and comfort. They remind customers that the holiday is arriving and often impel them to buy, or buy more.

Christmas decor lifts people’s spirits. The best thing you can do for your business during the holiday season is to deck your halls (and front window, entryway and aisles) with festive decorations that act like a beacon to your front door and create an aura of goodwill for all who enter.

Don’t discount the power of social media, either. Of course, you should let your followers know you’re ready for the season with posts about your decor. Even better, though, admiring shoppers may share images of themselves with your stand-out holiday display. That’s free positive publicity for your business!

While decorating a retail store makes smart business sense, there are good reasons why companies out of the public eye might also want to decorate for the holidays.

More and more workers have returned to the office These days, about 80% of the work force works partially or completely on-site.

Greeting employees at the door with twinkly lights, a cheery Christmas tree and an oversized wreath helps boost morale during what they may otherwise perceive as a stress-filled time. Office Christmas decorations help lighten the mood and even increase productivity!

While a beautifully decorated lobby and public spaces evoke holiday cheer, don’t forget about the spaces where your employees live.

You can generate additional goodwill by getting your staff involved in holiday decorating. Hold a decorating contest or host a decorating party and serve holiday treats. Award prizes for “Best Decorated Workspace,” “Most Creative Theme” or “Most Festive Hallway.” 

Commercial Christmas decorations often are the choice for decorating a retail shop or office building. That’s because commercial-grade decorations are designed and constructed to hold up over several seasons. Superior durability makes commercial decorations a good value.

Also, commercial Christmas trees, shatterproof commercial Christmas ornaments, figures and other decor typically are larger than standard Christmas decorations for greater visibility. A 16-foot Christmas tree won’t disappear in your massive lobby, and a large, colorful nutcracker can draw customers to your door.

Commercial Christmas wreaths and garlands are also oversized, for the best scale and impact in large spaces. Pre-decorated greens save time and are ready to hang immediately. However, with an undecorated wreath, you can add your own ornaments and decor to match your corporate theme.

Additionally, commercial Christmas lights offer heavy-duty construction to withstand nasty winter weather, plus special lengths and features that make them easier to hang and maintain. Look for commercial grade LED Christmas lights for maximum energy savings and added value.

When it’s time to deck the halls of your shop or business, remember that decorating a lobby, entryway or other large office space differs from decorating your home in a few key ways.

For instance, the area is typically larger, with higher ceilings and various spaces to decorate. You’ll want to carry your decorations through from the lobby and reception desk to the open stairways and hallways of your office building and from the front window and display cases to the cash register of your retail store.

When it’s time to deck the halls of your shop or business, remember that decorating a lobby, entryway or other large office space differs from decorating your home in a few key ways.

For instance, the area is typically larger, with higher ceilings and various spaces to decorate. Decoration placement should accommodate typical traffic patterns and preserve important lines of sight.

Keep the decor consistent by carrying decorations through from the lobby and reception desk to the open stairways and hallways of your office building and from the front window and display cases to the cash register of your retail store.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Plan ahead. It might take time to order new decor or locate decorations in storage and get them ready for the season. Plus, a polished, well-planned design is the sign of a professional organization – and that can’t be rushed.

• Put Your Best Face Forward. Shabby decorations won’t reflect well on your business. Replace anything that is broken, ragged, faded or just unattractive.

• Decorate Up, Down and All Around. Take advantage of the large, open spaces typical to an office building by making your Christmas decorating dimensional. Don’t just place a wreath on a wall; take the decor from floor to ceiling. Add a cluster of lit topiary trees in a normally neglected corner and dangle large shatterproof Christmas ornaments overhead. Hang lots of lights – more than you think you need! – on stairs, doorways, mirrors, walls and displays.

• Decorate Around a Color or Theme. When it comes to Christmas office decor, most companies stick to a traditional color combination or theme, but you can be more playful if your corporate identity permits. Consider incorporating brand colors and motifs in your decor.

• Remember Size and Scale. As we mentioned earlier, large office spaces deserve oversized Christmas decorations proportionate to the scale of the room. Giant Christmas decorations will attract attention, while smaller decor will only look out of place.

• Limit Distractions. Keep the decorations cheerful but practical and place them where they won’t interfere with daily routines. For example, keep the Christmas tree away from busy walkways or doorways. Likewise, avoid blinking Christmas lights, especially in work areas where concentration is important.

• Practice Safety First. Make sure your Christmas office decorations and their locations are safe. Lights and lighted and animated decorations should be in good working order, with no frayed or damaged cords. Don’t block doorways, exits, fire alarms or emergency equipment. Keep traffic areas clear and never run extension cords across halls or walkways.