As the Christmas festivities begin, we at Alliance Online look forward to what establishments can expect and guests will expect to see. In the years gone by Christmas has been a time where people have gotten together to celebrate without inhibitions however since the COVID-19 lockdown, it has been tough to understand what trends and essentials are needed for a Christmas party. This year will be the first Christmas where no governmental restrictions can stop a party from happening. So, in the spirit of Christmas lets take a festive look at what was big in 2022 and what we can expect to see in parties across the UK this Christmas.
Nostalgia
One of the most popular trends that we have seen throughout 2022 was nostalgia. In all facets of the year 2022 different companies and establishments have invested heavily in creating a nostalgic theme for their environment. An example of this being Burger King updating their logo only to go back to their logo styling from the 1970s. Mintel held a research campaign this year which found that consumers globally enjoy new experiences and also have an “appreciation for things that remind them of the past”. Although the argument could be made that consumers aren’t necessarily on a nostalgia drive but rather finding solace in comfort and familiarity. Pre-lockdown, Brexit and Ukraine are all examples of why people may want to return to the “good old days”. There is also a belief that nostalgia represents a time when durability and individuality was placed at a higher level of importance.
Nostalgia In Relation To Christmas
So, the question is what does a nostalgic Christmas look like? Reds and golds are back as these two colours combine incredibly to create a timeless visual ideal for any Christmas theme. The Christmas party doesn’t stop there though as nostalgia can also be found in other forms. One such form being the Christmas tree itself, maybe you’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year. A traditional Christmas tree decorated in white is a marvellous way to go this year. For nostalgic themes, we at Alliance Online currently stock some party essentials that could fit this setting nicely. The Festive Productions red shiny, matt and glitter tree baubles should be a staple for a nostalgic Christmas this year.
Christmas Crackers
Is any Christmas complete without Christmas crackers? I would strongly argue no, as we tuck into our Christmas dinners every year, we always have the faintest of hopes that the Christmas crackers will be better than the year before which is seemingly becoming a harder task as the years go by. The current trend with crackers as is the case with most sectors in 2022 has been solely based around the need for more eco-friendly options. Gone are the days of plastic toys, nowadays there are a wide array of goods inside crackers from donation slips to make-up products. As the general consumers ideals and priorities shift so should an establishments.
From a restaurateurs perspective it is important that you understand the demographics that you would find in your establishment and then tailoring the theme towards them. An example of this would be a fine-dining establishment that is providing Christmas lunch for the upcoming event would be more inclined to provide Christmas crackers that would focus on combining a visual aesthetic with appropriate gifts inside. Sticking with the emphasis on visuality, it is of paramount importance that the Christmas crackers opted for perfectly blend in with the overall aesthetic of the restaurant. Remember the crackers are an enhancement to your tableware service and should complement the rest of the theme. Here at Alliance Online we stock some fine choices perfect for any Christmas setting this year ranging from recyclable eco-friendly crackers that provide donations to good causes inside all the way to crackers that offer origami content. Please peruse our Christmas cracker store on Alliance Online to find your perfect Christmas crackers this year.
Tableware
As is the case with every kind of dining event, the tableware choices are critical to the success of an establishment. The tableware colour schemes and patterns can strongly influence a customers opinions of the proceedings. It has been said before countless times that for Christmas the ideal tableware options would be silver and white or red, green and gold. The reason for this being that silver and white themes are the ideal solution unsurprisingly for a white Christmas. Whilst the red, green and gold would provide the best backdrop for a traditional Christmas themed event.
We at Alliance Online fully understand that the Christmas season can be a busy time operationally, with establishments needing to make the appropriate modifications to proceeding to achieve that festive feeling for this time of the year. Deciding on the trends and what consumers are looking for has become exponentially more difficult in recent years due to the COVID-19 lockdown. With this article, we believe that any commercial food service establishment can host an excellent Christmas party this year.
