68 THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY
EDITOR’S CHOICE
How to nail Christmas decorations this year
There’s a real buzz in the air, your bookings are
starting to approach capacity and the calendar
is about to flip over to the festive season, but
how do you perfectly capture the festive season
in the way you decorate your business? Wendy
Clarkson, MD of Fizzco, a specialist in all things
Christmas, explains how.
With decoration, there’s such a fine line between
pleasing your customers and going overboard
that it’s often a balancing act keeping everyone
happy. Here are a few things to think about:
KEEP THINGS COLOURFUL - We often
think about red, white, gold and green as the
quintessential Christmas colours, but why not
mix it up a little? Blues, silvers, and understated,
autumnal tones can really work when it comes to
Christmas. Consider what colours are popular at
the moment and pick a few key choices from that
when you’re happy with a combination.
TREE TIME - The Christmas tree is often the
first thing on people’s minds when it comes
to decorating a hotel, restaurant or resort.
Traditional is fine, but if your decor demands it,
why not go slightly more modern? Hanging trees
upside down is an old tradition the Victorians
used to utilise, but we’re seeing it creep more
into more daring Christmas displays. If done
well it certainly has that unique ‘wow’ factor that
can often be missing in much of the hospitality
industry.
THINK CREATIVELY - We know that’s a cover-
all term, but what about using different ways
of making a location seem festive. Instead of
tinsel overload or objects hanging from every
perceivable location, think subtle. Why not try
bowls of baubles placed in strategic locations, or
perhaps Winter foliage used in place of plastic?
Natural additions to a theme that already has
wreaths and a mix of tree sizes might add to a
scene more effectively. Bring the outside in as the
ancient traditions suggested, it can look stunning
when applied subtly or with care.
WEBSITE: www.fizzco.co.uk
CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT - There’s
a real focus on the environment and green
credentials after a year full of activism from
the likes of Extinction Rebellion and Greta
Thunberg, so much so that every aspect of our
lives is being looked at. If you do choose to have
a living tree, then consider the way in which
you dispose of it. Chipping is one option, which
means it returns to the earth quicker. However,
if you’re able to plant a tree out and let it grow
all the better.