Create a Holiday Display
Ideas for Dressing a Window With a Winter Theme
For many store owners, having a window display that attracts customers is essential for holiday sales success. As potential customers drive or stroll by, the window catches their eye and tempts them to stop and browse. However, for someone who doesn't have a large budget for decorations and has very little knowledge of the art of window dressing, the idea of creating a nice holiday display can be a bit overwhelming.
Window Display Basics
No matter which display theme the business owner chooses, there are a few basic display decorating tips he or she should keep in mind. Follow these tips to create a good foundation for the store's holiday display.
- Start with a clean window. Make sure the window glass sparkles, any peeled or chipped paint has been scraped and freshly painted and the display area is cobweb and dust free.
- Cover the entire floor of the display with a cloth in a solid color that coordinates with the intended theme color. Artificial snow or white batting makes a good foundation for a display, too.
- Don't forget to dress up the walls of the display area. If the theme will be outdoor related, consider using a sky blue backdrop.
- Anchor a large window display area with a substantial piece, such as a big artificial tree or a comfortable looking chair. Trying to only fill a large area with many small pieces often results in a messy looking or empty looking display.
- Always remember to look at the display from outside the store several times during the decorating process. Sometimes, a display that looks perfect from inside the window looks terrible from the street.
Holiday Window Display Themes
Holiday window themes can be a more generic winter display or a very religious nativity scene. There is no right or wrong option, but a business owner should carefully consider his or her customer base and the type of merchandise or service the business offers before making a decision. A Christian bookstore without a religious themed display would seem a little strange to most customers.
One great theme for a holiday window display is a snowman building theme. A sledding, ice skating, or ice fishing theme would also work well. These outdoor winter fun displays are a great option for stores that don't want to have to swap out the entire display as soon as Christmas is over, since most of the display can remain for several weeks after the holiday without seeming odd or out of place. Simply pull gift wrapped packages off of sleds or replace the Christmas themed scarf on the snowman's neck with a scarf that is less holiday oriented and the display will look just fine.
Another option is to create a multiple holiday theme. Choose items in colors that complement each other, such as the traditional blue of Hanukkah and the new trendy pink color being used in many Christmas displays.
With a little planning, a little creativity and a little patience, anyone can create a great window display. Just remember to think twice about putting a very expensive item in the window display. That shiny, costly item could tempt thieves to break in, which is not the result any business owner is seeking.
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