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Christmasworld 2009: From the show floor |
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Written by Amanda Ryder
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At the beginning of the year, I traveled to the 2009 edition of Christmasworld – The World of Event Decorating in Frankfurt, Germany. The show pinpoints the latest trends and products for events and holiday market and is host to 965 exhibitors from 38 countries. I spent three days, roaming five floors of exhibits with my camera in one hand snapping away and a notebook in the other, detailing the hot, and soon to be hot, European Christmas trends.
I’ve sorted my hundreds of pictures into a few different areas to showcase the popular colours stories and themes that I saw on the show floor, as well as unique display ideas that you can incorporate in your shop.
Cherubs, angels and critters
 While these figures aren’t new to Christmas, it seemed that almost every holiday display I saw incorporated cherubs and angels. They ranged in size from tiny figurines to garden-style statuettes. Angels were used in both a traditional displays and also incorporated into offbeat exhibits, where the focus was less on trees and ornaments and more on funky containers and accessories.
Animals also made an appearance at the show. The traditional Christmas figures like reindeer and moose made an appearance, but they were also joined by owls, foxes, porcupines and even elephants.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
Dreaming of a chocolate Christmas
 After five floors of exhibits, I think I probably saw every colour scheme imaginable. One combination that stood out for me were the brown and gold colour stories. The hues ranged from a sandy brown to a chocolate brown to a bronze and blinged-out brown. The colour was often combined with gold to play off green plants.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
Contain yourself
 In many instances, the containers showcased at the 2009 edition of Christmasworld could upstage the flowers. The sizes ranged from small bud vases or coaster sized pots to statement making vases. Many of these vessels would only need a stem or two to glamour up a room and it’s a great opportunity to encourage future sales. Once a customer has invested in a beautiful, high-style container, they’ll be looking to refill it and get as much use out of it as possible.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
Back to nature
 Natural materials dominated the trade fair and were used in a variety of ways with a number of different materials. I saw a lot of wood as I roamed the aisles – trees made of gnarled branches and pinecones, pedestals and tables covered with branches, vases adorned with swatches of bark, logs woven into displays – you name, someone tried it. I even came across pumpkins comprised of bent branches (wouldn’t want to put a candle inside one of those!) The wood acted as a great base for the flowers and allowed the blooms to really stand out, while at the same time, evoking a “natural” feeling.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
Sparkle and shine
 No holiday or party would be complete without a little bling and the Christmasworld vendors were well aware of this fact. Plenty of glitter went into the making of the displays and was no doubt vacuumed up for days after the event wrapped. Shiny baubles, mirrors, glittering containers and metallic finishes were in abundance and used with a variety of colour schemes.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
The traditional red and green
 No Christmas event is complete without a little bit of tradition. Red and green made an appearance in many displays and this will likely be the hues that your customers are looking for this holiday season. In tight economic times, many people like to revert back to tradition. The trick is to spice it up a little by adding in pinks, silvers and new ideas. I came across a set of poinsettias that reminded me of Christmases past – the difference is that the shiny tin foil wrappers were missing. Instead, the plants were potted in a container made from branches, giving the flowers a whole new look.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
Trees – of course
 When it came to the Christmas trees, this is where some of the exhibitors got the most creative. I saw blue trees, pink trees, black trees, white trees, gold trees, palm-tree style Christmas trees, ornament trees, sparkly trees, upside down trees and fabric trees. Several of the trees I saw were missing the traditional star and instead sported feathers that shot out from the top of the tree.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
Displays for inspiration
 Last but not least, I’ve decided to dedicate an entire photo gallery just to neat and interesting displays and display ideas. The pictures range from big and bold exhibits to creative pots and vases. One exhibitor used a number of different materials – sand, stones, coloured rocks, beads and crystals – in vase with water and it created a stunning effect. Another booth specialized in wall prints that could be used behind displays to create a theme. Examples include a birdhouse, a scenic picture of a forest or a bright picture of baubles and ornament. Check our photo gallery for inspiration and ideas you can use in your shop windows and fixtures.
Click here to see pictures from this trend.
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