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Keeping with Tradition
Traditional themes and colours promise to be popular for |
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Written by Carol Neshevic
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Traditional themes and colours promise to be popular for Christmas 2005
Reds and greens, candy canes and Santas – for Christmas 2005, Canadian florists are likely to find that the traditional festive accoutrements will be big sellers. “I really have found that the extremely traditional has been doing incredibly well,” says Mark Hansen, owner of Richmond, B.C.-based wholesaler Hansen’s Christmas Stuff.
Hansen says that a number of years ago, it was often the case that whatever was big in fashion tended to drift into that year’s Christmas trends. This may have meant wackier colours, like lime greens and oranges, hit it big in holiday décor and design. But in recent years, he says, this hasn’t frequently been the case.
“When the economy is slower, people tend to go for the traditional,” Hansen explains. This is true for several reasons - on the retailer side, buying more traditional supply means that if it doesn’t sell, you won’t be stuck with ultra-trendy items you can’t sell the following year. And on the customer side, traditional spells comfort - something a lot of people may be looking for in uneasy times. Hansen adds that, even though it was several years ago, the after-effects of 9/11 continue to filter down to Christmas trends. “Since then, people really do want that comfort and tradition.”
Besides the reds, whites and greens, Hansen also sees the old-fashioned golds, burgundies and creams doing well for 2005. In terms of theme, he adds, “snowmen always do well.” And of course, Santa-themed items never go out of style. This year, a “jester-style” Santa look is going to be big, according to Hansen – a fun, old-fashioned clown-like figure with a long, white beard and spiral hat.
Steve Baumgartner of Mississauga, Ont.-based Winward Silks agrees that traditional will be a big look. For Winward Silks, one of the number-1 looks they expect to do well is the “high-end floral Christmas combined with ornaments and trim,” which could feature beautiful amaryllis, traditional hollies, or matching sets of treated garlands, wreaths and sprays. These sets could include high-end “extras,” such as pomegranates, berries, cones or long needles. “This is the high-end floral décor line, as opposed to the cheap and cheerful look,” says Baumgartner.
Baumgartner also agrees with Hansen that the “jester” look will be popular this year. “The red-green tones with jesters – they have great faces, great details. They’re really fun,” he says, explaining that Winward Silks’ jester look offers the perfect combination of traditional and fun. In the same vein, other old-fashioned looking toys, like roly-poly clowns, tin soldiers and snowmen, will also be popular themes this year.
Baumgartner mentions another trend that may not be a huge seller, but will definitely fill a niche this year: feminine pinks with pretty accents and themes like ballerinas. “It’s not for everyone,” he says, but those it appeals to will love it.
When it comes to floral containers, texture is going to be the buzzword for 2005, says Michelle Lekkerkerker of Action Imports in Mississauga, Ont. There will be a lot of lacquered and galvanized items, and metals stamped with patterns to add texture. Antique-looking brass, copper or silver finishes will be important for Christmas. “It’s an upscale look,” says Lekkerkerker. And “rich reds are still going strong,” she says.
In terms of theme, Lekkerkerker sees a thrust toward less “Christmasy” and more “wintry.” Snowflakes, pinecones and tree motifs will be big with people who want to extend the season longer; these types of products will work quite well before and after Christmas, rather than being only suitable for the month of December.
Interestingly, both Baumgartner and Hansen raise the issue of how smaller apartments and modern-style condos have also created a niche in the Christmas product market. Hansen mentions a “funky” line of products that he says does quite well with that urban customer. “It’s a small line, but it’s doing very well,” he explains. The look is very modern, funky and angular, with the reds veering more towards orange and the greens taking on a more yellowy tint. And Baumgartner adds that the increase in condo living has led to a rising demand for “slim” trees, shorter potted Christmas trees (three to four feet tall, for instance), and just generally smaller, funkier Christmas décor items.
Baumgartner also says that the “berry” look, which has been popular for the past several years, will continue to be big. “Beautiful Christmas berries – a lot of people love that look,” he says. Winward Silks is also featuring a more woodsy “home and hearth” line this year. Baumgartner expects this line to sell quite well, with woodsy animals being a big draw for Christmas 2005.
So, with all the choices available, what should florists be ordering for the holiday season this year? Although there are numerous, diverse Christmas lines and products to be had from most wholesalers, the message this year seems to be clear. It’s always important to offer variety, but you should definitely make sure you’ve got plenty of traditional-style stock on hand for 2005. “The traditional red and green is still where the numbers lie,” says Baumgartner.
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