Behind The Magic Curtain - Episode 1 - The Market

Well, Christmas is over, and everyone is back to the everyday grind. For us, that means more Christmas, and we couldn't be happier. Have you ever thought about how your favorite Christmas decorations end up on your tree? Probably not. Now that I've asked the question, are you interested? I bet you are.

We thought it would be fun to peel back the curtain to show you the secrets of how we create Christmas magic. Follow along as we take you through a year in the life of our Christmas shop. Explore the wonder of our glittery realm filled with mirth and mayhem. Will you join us?

Imagination is the Beginning

Christmas decorations are born of the imagination of creative thinkers. Real human magic creates the beloved colors and characters that adorn our homes each holiday season. Once the designs are ready, the manufacturer makes samples for the Market. What is Market, you ask? It's the second-best day of the year, that's all. I will explain in a moment, but first, let's meet Sam Snowman. He is a beautiful Christmas ornament destined to delight. With his sweet face, classic attire, and vintage style, Sam is ready to celebrate the season. Sam will help guide you through your adventure.

Introducing Sam Snowman

The Market Adventure

For us, the Market is like Christmas morning. We wake up early, brimming with anticipation because we can't wait to see all the shiny new things we can buy. The showrooms are overflowing with every Christmas decoration you can dream of. Do you remember when you were young getting that colossal catalog each Christmas filled with page after page of toys you could wish for? The Market is just like that book, where the possibilities are endless. 

We attend this showcase of new products every January. With thousands of buyers attending the Market, it's a little like a beehive, where everyone is buzzing with excitement to get the best items for their store. Hundreds of vendors fill the Market spaces with enticing ideas, colors, and innovations. Everywhere you turn, something surprises you. The Market lasts for a week, and you need the entire time to see it all. 

          

Amazing Christmas tree designs at Market

While the Market is exciting and exhausting, there are important decisions to be made. We use the Market to see products in person. This allows us to judge an item's potential for success in our shop. Pictures are great, but seeing is believing. The vendors' design ideas explain how to use a product or show items that will work well together. New innovations are also presented for us to touch and try. For many vendors, the Market is the only time you can order Christmas products with the guarantee of receiving the goods on time for holiday shopping.

This Little Elf Goes to Market

So what happens at the Market? It sounds simple; go to a vendor's showroom and tell them what you want. Sounds easy, but there is a little more to it all. You have to have a sound game plan because a week-long look at thousands of products is overwhelming.

Sam Snowman surrounded by friends at Market

Everyone approaches the Market differently. I need structure and time to think to achieve the results I want. So I start with seeing everything. I walk through showrooms and see what gets my attention. I take notes and pictures to help me set goals. Then I sit down and think. Using my notes, I make decisions that will inform every purchase I make. For 2022, my goals were:

• Simple decorating with garlands.
• Fun new decorative lighting.
• More natural elements. 
• Popular colors: blue, sage, multi-color.
• Popular styles: vintage, natural, and handmade. 

With my goals firmly in my mind, I can start shopping. 

At each vendor, you work with a Sales Rep that processes the order. The Sales Rep turns conversations about my needs and how the past season fared into recommendations for products and ideas you will love. They also steer me away from things that won't bring joy. Sales Reps are like that friend who is brutally honest and isn't afraid to tell you when you make a poor decision. A great Sales Rep is your best ally for success. After we place our order, I go back and take pictures of everything to help me with the work in the Spring and Summer.

The work at the Market never ends. At the end of each day, you review orders to make sure they are correct, plan for the next day, and get some sleep. Then we repeat this six more times. During Market, we also spend time taking pictures of trends, new ideas, and innovative techniques. These pictures become the basis of blog posts, tutorials, and inspiration for our shops' website. 

Design ideas from Market

The Business of Business

After the Market is over, we review everything. You would be surprised how easy it is to order very similar items from different vendors. We have a short window for adjustments. We also download product photos from the vendors where available.

Going to Market is exhilarating, the time right after the Market is terrifying; it's like the massive head-pounding hangover that happens after the best parties. You start to doubt the decisions you made. You second guess the quantities you ordered. You worry that the new theme will not be popular. You stress that you missed the most sought-after item of the next season. The worst part is, we have to wait until November to find out if we got it right. 

It has been said when you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Going to Market is one of the best parts of what we do since it embodies all the things that we work towards with our shop. It sparks the desire to keep going each day. It ignites the creativity to explore design ideas. It fuels the need to share our joy and experiences with you, our friends. So stay tuned for more from the 2021 Market.

Behind the Curtain - Episode 2 - Preparing the Way

Join us for our next installment with a closer look at Sam Snowman and how we prepare for his arrival.