Christmas – Get Ahead of the Festive Rush

As September finishes and we begin October there is a common theme creeping across the nation, and no it is not Halloween. Whether you are in a supermarket, DIY store or browsing a local market, festive products are slowly becoming a national feature in the run up to Christmas. Businesses who profit and benefit from the festive period such as restaurants, bars and the wider hospitality industry now need to consider what Christmas experience they want to offer customers this year. To achieve a Christmas aesthetic which is tasteful and festive we at Alliance Online would suggest the following three considerations:

• Decorating the room and dining areas
• Dress the tables in a seasonal manner
• Ensure your menu reflects the time of year

Decorating the room

Before you begin decorating any room it is best practice to first perform a safety check just to remind you and staff of emergency / fire exits and routes customers would need to take in the case of an emergency. Doing so can highlight “keep clear” areas so you don’t have trip hazards or obstructions in the way ensuring even at Christmas your venue can comfortably adhere to health and safety regulations. Once you have done this, you can start planning. We would always recommend a tree, usually the largest your space can accommodate as this will act as a great statement piece to set the theme. Ensure your tree is tastefully adorned with baubles, lights, tinsel and other such staple decorations. If you can place the tree in a spot with good lighting it can attract diners to take festive photos whilst at your restaurant or bar generating free publicity via social media. Once the tree has been established it is time to turn your attention to festive accessories. If you have a mantle or shelves within the dining area garlands are a great option to easily add some additional Christmas warmth. For front doors, toilet doors and other internal doors wreaths are great and much like garlands easy to add to your venue. One final consideration is balloons, they can be a great finishing touch to complete your festive hospitality look this year.

Dressing the tables

When looking to add some Yuletide style to your table settings there are a few different options you can choose from to create the right visual. We would suggest one of the following table trends is best where Christmas is concerned:

1. Classic White: So, we know from the start of September to the end of December is what the hospitality industry refers to as “banqueting season” due to the increased volume of people eating out. As such, this period of dining regularly results in normal crockery and tablecloths being replaced with white alternatives. The main reason being to portray an image of finery and sophistication. White plates and tablecloths are great for creating a clean and blemish free initial image which instantly improves a diner’s experience. If opting for this theme we recommend pairing with 18/10 cutlery due to its shine and general hardwearing nature and opt for thin yet elegant stemware when serving wine.
2. Winter Noir: If you want to go for something bold and to make a statement then embrace the dark mornings and early night by injecting some dark grey and black tones into your colourway. Dark crockery can add a striking tonal contrast to white tablecloths, especially when paired with a dark table runner. We would say avoid black cutlery if you are opting for dark crockery as it can be too much. If opting for a noir theme pairing tableware with a smoky glassware range can be very effective and create a social media worthy contrast.
3. Christmas Tradition: Three standard colours which are regularly used during the festive season are green, red and gold. Whether it be via the addition of crackers, napkins, candles or other such table toppers, add products in this colourscape to induce a Christmassy feeling.
4. Reflect Your Brand: The final theme we would suggest is to take a shade or colour from your branding and reflect this in your tableware. Normally we would not suggest this as a Christmas option but after two years of Covid it is important, especially for independent businesses, to re-establish your brand. Match crockery and crackers with colours which represent your business and help to cement the experience and your company in the minds of your customers.

Now we are in Autumn, restaurants, pubs and other such businesses should look to start ordering Christmas decorations and planning for the festive period now. Alliance Online offers a wide and inclusive range of Christmas options which will be perfect for your establishment this year. Order now to ensure you are not without decorations for your business this year.