No, you don’t need to check the calendar. It’s Christmas in March at Good Earth Plant Company. Call this display Raspberry Wine: A beautifully lit live tree with an authentic antique sleigh stuffed with presents. Photo; Whinney Designs
Years ago, I attended the Dallas Christmas Mart in January. Looking at holiday décor so quickly after we had just packed up and stored the previous year’s décor was not high on my list. But the show organizers made it very enticing, covering my airfare and hotel. So why not check it out?
I was overwhelmed! Floor after floor after floor of lights and balls and ribbons and faux trees and wreaths and more. The prices were reasonable, but the discounts were on volume. I was very reluctant to place a big order for our somewhat small business, especially as it was so early in the year.
I quickly learned that companies are much more focused on Christmas décor work than I was ordered their supplies in January, took possession in May, and started the fabrication in July. This is a year-round activity.
Call it my early education on the supply chain, one we all understand now due to pandemic shortages.
Colors don’t have to be traditional red and green. This “Velvet Underground” display uses an 18-foot frame tree in a downtown San Diego office lobby with velvet blue and green flowers and beautiful matching balls. Photo: Whinney Designs
I distinctly remember a color trend combination I thought was horrible at first glance. I grew up on red, green, silver, and gold. Maybe some plaid ribbon, very vanilla. But the unusual combination of lime green, pink, purple, and orange grew on me. They’re the colors of the sunset. I incorporated the combination into wedding work and used it for our last wedding florals assignment many years ago. It was gorgeous.
For the 2021 holiday season, several colleagues and our holiday decorating partner attended the Atlanta Christmas mart. I was lucky enough to learn what they saw and what they liked. Meanwhile, I was in Tampa, Florida, at the same time attending the Tropical Plants Industry Expo (TPIE), much better use of my time and expertise. Divide and conquer!
Traditional or modern colors? Anything goes!
A shiny nine-foot-tall toy soldier and his drum sparkle in silver and gold. Photo: Charlie Lenger
I’ve asked two of them to share this year’s holiday trends. First, our holiday expert Susan Whinney of Whinney Designs.
“It feels like Groundhog Day because it is Christmas planning time again! In 2021 we got more compliments and excitement from passersby than ever before. Everyone was so happy to see our decorations lighting up California. Whinnery Designs came in strong, installing over 170 trees.
“We have fully moved into our new warehouse and have plenty of room to get our hands dirty designing. We are excited to have a new logo and will be launching a new website in spring. We are playing with new designs featuring Pantone Color of the Year Classic Blue with golds and Tiffany blue this year. Of course, there is always a desire for traditional decor and creative scenes, and we have those, too!”
Lightening up for the 2022 holiday season
Clients are going for fun, lighthearted designs. This live 12-foot tall tree is decorated in red and black, with 12 large drums, soldiers, and matching velvet balls. Photo: Whinney Designs
Charlie Lenger from Plant Partners of Sarasota, Florida, tells us the feeling from the East Coast is lighthearted. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of a pandemic-free holiday in 2022? Who wouldn’t want to celebrate!
“The color palette trends at the Christmas show were pale pink, showing up in Christmas trees pared either in cute candy and gingerbread displays or as the noticeable hue in sophisticated jam-packed floral displays.
“Creamy white with soft silver and gold, as seen in this photo of their nine-foot-tall soldier with drum.”
Charlie added he relies on a manufacturer in Mexico whose products have “fantastic finishes” and dependable delivery dates.
It’s never too early to make your holiday plans
(L to R) Scott, Lisa, Rachel, and Joe are hard at work on a client’s holiday displays. They’re ready when you are!
It’s not too early to start planning. We don’t really know what will happen with the supply chain in 2022, but we DO know things that used to take days takes weeks, weeks are months, and months are… just forget it.
So, if you’d like to get into the holiday spirit early – or maybe you’re still hanging onto it from last year – we’re always ready for a planning discussion. Why not look forward to some holiday fun all year, even if the temperatures briefly hit 85 degrees in San Diego this week. Who’s up for Christmas in July? We’re just a call or email away. We enrich your lives with plants during the holiday season and in every season.
