What’re the Experts’ Opinions on…
Angels | Bells | Bows | Candles | Candy Canes | Cards | Cellophane | Chafers |
Christmas Lights | Christmas Trees | Colors | Doves | Dreidels | Drums |
Frankincense and Myrrh | Fruit | Garland | Gingerbread Houses |
Holly | Inspiration | Mistletoe | Movie References | “Noel” | Nutcrackers |
Ornaments | Outfits | Overt Religiousness | Poinsettias | Presents | Reindeer |
Santa Claus | Snowflakes | Stockings | Strings of Popcorn | Tags | Tinsel | Toys |
Utensils | Wise Men | Wreaths | Yuletide
The Idea, Generally
During the past few holiday seasons, the food service and catering scenes have been dominated by a sleek, glossy aesthetic: reds, golds, lacy whites, baubles hung from the ceiling, snowflakes fixed to the walls, wreaths the size of car tires, poinsettias at the maximum capacity. But this year food service designers and event planners are dialing things back. We’re moving away from a Rockefeller Center sort of atmosphere and more towards a Grandma’s Living Room type design.
This year customers want their venue to feel warm, cozy, and professional, all at the same time. Obviously, you should do what best fits your specific business, but it doesn’t hurt to learn about what other designers are doing too. Here’s our compilation of the current holiday trends within this industry.
Angels
While food service businesses should err on the side of political correctness (see: Overt Religiousness ), angels are one religious component of the holiday season with a very small potential for offending. This year some restaurants are using vintage angel tree toppers as centerpieces. And if that’s still not PC enough for you, consider using a star or snowflake tree topper as a centerpiece instead.
Bells
Sleigh bells are old hat. That, and they’re kind of annoying with their constantly jingling and jangling. Instead try placing a Salvation Army style bell on top of your hostess stand. Less noise, more style.
Bows
Delicate and easily damaged — where there is a bow, there can be nothing else. Designers have decided that bows are a bit too garish and awkward so they’ve been employing them less and less in recent years. Instead of huge bows, try small bits of ribbon for a more subtle piece of decoration.
Candles
Soft lighting is an essential part of the Christmas feel. As always, you’ll want to keep your lights slightly dimmer during this time of this year. A flickering long-stem candle will add a Christmas ambiance that alludes to door-to-door carolers and candlelight services.
Candy Canes
It’s a trademark of the holiday season. A small candy cane wrapped in cellophane comes with the bill. Guests expect it. Have you considered giving your guests a thick stick of peppermint instead? They cost a tiny bit more, but your guests will appreciate you giving them a more pleasing palate cleanser. That said, it’s perfectly fine to decorate your Christmas tree with cane-style peppermint. (See also: Cellophane , Christmas Trees , Toys )
Cards
One unique way to dress up your catering placards for the holidays is to use Christmas Cards instead of traditional name cards. You can buy Christmas cards in bulk, and this small gesture will get your guests in the holiday spirit right away. (See also: Tags )
Cellophane
One technique to create a unique atmosphere under the well-worn conventions of a 17-century-old festival is to place your focus on an object usually in the periphery. Everyone uses candy canes (see: Candy Canes ), but who chooses to toss the candy cane over their shoulder and favor its wrapper instead? Cellophane is Christmassy, period. And since it’s so easy to mold, restaurateurs are doing a lot of different things with just a little cellophane.
Chafers
During Christmas, analog always trumps digital. There isn’t enough room here to get into why, but chafers whose lids roll out instead of lift up are less personable and therefore less Christmassy. There’s just something about a human arm lifting the lid of a chafer — the left and right sides of the lid wavering, steam rolling out from underneath — that makes these types of chafers feel more like home.
Christmas Lights
The experts’ advice: if you aren’t 100% sure what you’re doing, don’t string Christmas lights inside your venue. If done wrong, Christmas lighting will distract your guests — instead, limit your Christmas lights to the Christmas tree and maybe some small flourishes here and there. (See also: Christmas Trees )
"We’re moving away from a Rockefeller Center sort of atmosphere and more towards a Grandma’s Living Room type design.
Christmas Trees
Think back to your childhood Christmases. Did your Christmas trees look like the huge ones they erect inside shopping malls or were they modest, their ornaments a hodgepodge of one-of-a-kind trinkets that no other family owned? Designer Christmas trees look good but they feel lifeless and lonely. They don’t feel the way Christmas should. Lend your tree some authenticity with unique one-of-a-kind ornaments, not just balls and bulbs and overdone tinsel. (See also: Ornaments , Presents )
Colors
In recent years red and white have dominated the Christmas color palette. There’s nothing wrong with red and white — these two colors will immediately conjure up the Christmas attitude in your guests — but be aware that you do have other options. One alternative restaurants and catering services are employing this year is borrowing the colors of the three wise men. Gold, Navy, Purple, Red-Orange. If used correctly, this palette will lend your venue a distinct — but still Christmassy — theme.
Doves
Turtledoves (not to mention camels, lambs, and donkeys) are often ignored during Christmastime in favor of that other holiday animal, the reindeer. If you want a bit of Christmas iconography that is rarely used, consider the beloved turtledove. (See also: Cellophane , Reindeer )
Dreidels
When decorating during the holidays, gentile designers are growing more mindful of Hanukkah. They seem to agree that restaurants are primarily public spaces that should respect the diversity of their communities. So if you’re looking for inspiration, try learning a little more about Hanukkah. Not only is the Hanukkah story inspiring, but it contains themes that show up in other holiday stories as well.
Drums
Like other decorative items found in this list (see: Bells , Nutcrackers , Toys ), you can find and buy inexpensive drums on Ebay. This used drum may not still sound good, but place it on its side to join it with the rest of your holiday landscape. Often forgotten in favor of other Christmas icons, the drum is both hip and homely. (See also: Doves )
Frankincense and Myrrh
While it would be a nice touch to burn some Frankincense oil at your venue, you absolutely cannot hang up a sign that points it out as Frankincense. Too on the nose. That said, none of these suggestions are hard and fast rules. If you’re creative enough you can make anything work. Even myrrh.
Fruit
Whole fruit is making a comeback, and there’s no better time to employ it than during the holidays. Choose fruits that are in season during the winter like pears, oranges, pomegranates, and kiwi. Serve them as part of a plate or cut them up into large slices.
Garland
Garland is a necessary evil. Nothing — I mean it, nothing — turns an entire room festive faster than a strand of garland. The problem with garland is that many food service operators think they can string it up and they’re done with decorating. Wrong. Garland is merely a frame, a sign post. It signifies Christmas, but it’s not near enough in and of itself.
Gingerbread Men & Gingerbread Houses
Gingerbread replicas of people and buildings are great ways to bring an element of domesticity to your venue. But then again, it’s super easy to construct a ugly and messy gingerbread house. If you decide to feature a gingerbread house in your venue, have it made professionally by a local auteur. On the subject of gingerbread — consider bringing out a gingerbread man with the check instead of the usual candy cane. (See also: Candy Canes )
Holly
A bit of holly does not a Christmas make. Just like those other Yuletide plant staples (see: Christmas Trees , Garland , Poinsettias ), holly can go almost anywhere and make a space more Christmassy, and due to its size, this plant is incredibly versatile and can be affixed to seats, drink specials, host stands, and much more. But don’t make it the center of your Christmas design theme, there are better directions to take than focusing on boring old Holly.
Inspiration
These components of Christmas are all well and good, but how do I choose which ones to employ? How do I make a cohesive whole? Well, here’s what the experts told us is to start off with a single idea or image — the glow of a fireplace, streetlamps in the city, Santa’s full sack of toys — and then hang everything else from that idea like a mobile in a nursery. They advised to remove popular conceptions of Christmas from your brain — instead ask yourself, what does this time of the year mean to me? What were my family’s traditions? Presents and Christmas Trees, sure, but what about pajamas and board games and nighttime car rides through lit up neighborhoods? Just keep that feeling in mind as you look at the space you’re working with. You need to rely on your subconscious when planning out your space.
" What does this time of the year mean to me? What were my family’s traditions?
Mistletoe
Hang some above your entryway. Mistletoe almost never clashes with the rest of your decor.
Movie References
Looking to Christmas movies for inspiration can help. Christmas culture is so wide sweeping that it’s impossible to remember all its symbols and motifs. The Mouse King, Cindy Lou Who, the Misfit Toys, Heatmiser — these guys aren’t top billing Christmas characters, but they’re definite parts of the holiday canon. Movies, books, and songs can remind you of Christmas elements that you might want to borrow from and expand upon in your foodservice operation. (See also: Inspiration )
“Noel”
The word “Noel” is a noun defined as “a Christmas carol”. Good word — deep, breathy… sleepy almost. But just because it’s a good word doesn’t mean you should hang a sign of it on your wall sans context. “Noel” is the Chinese Character Tattoo of Christmas decorations: few people know what the word means, but it looks cool so we put it up anyway. Don’t. Think about your decorations and what they mean before plastering them everywhere. (See also: Yuletide )
Nutcrackers
It’s as if restaurant and event planners suddenly remembered that nutcrackers exist because lately they’ve been blowing up. And with good reason! A collection of nutcracker soldiers just looks good. The biggest problem with going with a nutcracker theme is that these figurines can get expensive. If you choose to go this route, Ebay is a good tool to find cheaper nutcrackers than those sold in boutiques. (See also: Drums )
Ornaments
Large colored balls that mimic tree ornaments have dominated holiday décor in recent years, but trends suggest their use as standalone decoration is declining. Event planners are instead choosing to use more natural and organic looking decorations like rocking horses, paper snowflakes, and unconventionally shaped tree ornaments. (See also: Christmas Trees )
Outfits
Santa hats and faux-antler headbands — these are not your only options when dressing up your employees. Consider tacky Christmas sweaters or using splashes of red and green plaid. (See also: Santa Claus , Reindeer )
Overt Religiousness
It doesn’t matter what season it is, you will always offend someone. During December, either your holiday sensibilities are too religious or not nearly religious enough. It’s doubly difficult since the traditional, Christian Christmas has combined with this new, weird, material-oriented American Xmas. Depictions of Santa are okay, but what about depictions of shepherds? Can you play “Hark the Herald Angles Sing” or is that too much? Should you tell your staff to not use the word “Christmas”, replacing it instead with “Holidays”? It depends. Where do you live, what is your clientele? If you live in a state with a high Jewish population , for instance, then you might want to stick to a more “Winter Wonderland” theme than a “Christmas Village” one. Then again if you live in, say, Utah where 78% of the population identifies as Christian, you can get away with incorporating the strictly Christian aspects of the holiday. Whatever you decide to do, remember — this time of year is about goodwill and charity and community. (See also: Yuletide )
Poinsettias
They have reached the point of being overdone. In years past, tables and mantles and walkways and staircases have overflowed with foil-planted poinsettias. They’re beautiful flowers, but there are so many other, more original ways to spruce up a room for Christmas time.
Popcorn Garland
Handmade is in. So this year, event planners are choosing to decorate with popcorn garlands instead of with tinsel. Popcorn signifies snugness, warm. Tinsel signifies mass production, glitz and garishness. If you have the time, string your building with popcorn, not tinsel. (If it fits your décor, of course. High end restaurants might want to use fewer bio-degradable decorations)
Presents
If you have a Christmas tree in your venue, you need presents or else the tree’ll look bare. Think back to your childhood and the wrapped presents under the tree. Before Christmas morning when you tore the wrapping paper to shreds, what did the presents look like? Like those boxes pictured above? Or could you see the scotch tape and the uneven, ragged edges of the paper where your parents had cut out the paper with kitchen scissors? You don’t want your guests to walk past your Christmas tree, look at the presents stashed underneath, and immediately know that they’re empty. Try this: wrap up non-cube shaped presents. Go with tube shaped, cone shaped, or bicycle shaped presents. Let a little bit of ugly show — Christmas isn’t about everything being perfect. (See also: Christmas trees )
Reindeer
There’s a lot of reasons why reindeer are a ridiculous part of Christmas tradition. Most Americans have never seen a real life reindeer; these animals only live in Alaska and parts of Idaho, Montana, and Washington State. When most people think of reindeer, they think of the claymation Rudoulph. Unless your business wants to appeal to children, avoid using too much reindeer imagery. (See also: Doves , Santa Claus )
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, the mascot of present-day Xmas. Used by Toys R Us, Coca-cola, and Cadillac to sell more products, the image of Santa Claus has become tainted. Modern day food service venues avoid using Santa for a few reasons, but the biggest one is that they want to avoid associations with the more commercial aspects of Christmas and instead focus on family and community and feasting. (See also: Reindeer , Outfits )
Snowflakes
This is the absolute tamest direction your venue can go. Yes, snowflakes look interesting geometrically, but they don’t signify anything other than cold weather. Restaurant and event planners know that this time of the year offers a rare opportunity to harness feelings of rejoicing and togetherness and merrymaking. Why waste that opportunity on talking about the weather?
Stockings
If you’re wondering where the line is between being campy and being sleek & trendy, it’s stockings. Designers have found time and time again that hanging stockings is difficult to make look pleasing. Consider hanging your stockings on the wall instead of above a hearth.
Tags
The two words To: and From: can add a holiday air to your guests’ bills or placemats. Not only does a Christmassy tag personalize your guests’ experience, it gives your servers a chance to insert a bit of their own personality before the bill is paid. (See also: Cards , Presents )
Tinsel
(See: Popcorn Garland )
Toys
One way restaurants are differentiating themselves from the competition this holiday season is by giving their guests small, inexpensive knick-knacks like cheap plastic tops and yo-yos during the start or end of their meals. Restaurants who’ve tried this little gimmick find their customers smiling and laughing like children. You can find cheap toys in bulk online.
Utensils
Silver has long been the ideal metal for everything Christmas, but let’s be honest — you’re not serving with silver. Stainless steel with a heavier heft is still the standard for this time of year and probably will be for a long time.
Wise Men
(See: Overt Religiousness )
Wreaths
Since the trend for most restaurants is to go smaller and to go fewer, you might want to consider replacing that hula-hoop sized wreath with a more traditional one.
Yuletide
From Wikipedia: “Yule or Yuletide is a pagan religious festival observed by the historical Germanic peoples, later being absorbed into and equated with the Christian festival of Christmas.” (See also: “Noel” )
