Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Christmas Decorations for Your Business

So you’re working on this year’s Christmas decorations and think you have it all figured out. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Business owners often encounter common mistakes when choosing Christmas decorations for their display, leading to issues with aesthetics and safety that can have a long-lasting impact on the company's reputation.

Fortunately, you’re in good hands. This article will recount Christmas decoration selection mistakes so you know what to avoid when you’re shopping this season. 

Choosing decorations may not seem like such an important task, but the wrong decor can impact your business in a big way. Here are some things to consider. 

The holiday season is a great time to attract new customers. More shoppers are out shopping, and your display may draw them in. This is your big chance to make a first impression that can lead to a loyal ongoing relationship. 

Your decor contributes heavily to your first impression. A stylish, high-quality, professional design will establish you as a caring business. Customers will be more likely to return and recommend your store to friends. 

These factors are essential for the following reasons:

Your decorations say something about your brand. If they are low quality and haphazardly hung, they won’t show your brand in the best light. On the other hand, if they look good and are well-installed, they can improve your brand reputation. 

Additionally, branded Christmas decorations for businesses can make your store more memorable. Consider integrating brand colors or creating a design that aligns with your brand identity and the products and services you sell.

Businesses often make mistakes when choosing Christmas decorations. Here are some to avoid.

Durable outdoor Christmas lights are built for safety and longevity. They can withstand various weather conditions and prevent electrical hazards.

Some business owners may not understand the benefit of choosing the right commercial Christmas decorations, especially in terms of outdoor vs. indoor use. They may install a decoration rated for indoor use outdoors, which poses a huge safety risk and damages the decorations, potentially reducing their longevity. 

Business owners often consider their bottom line and pinch pennies when they can. However, this isn’t always the best strategy for choosing commercial Christmas decorations, as low-cost decor may be less durable than more expensive options. As a result, you:

Businesses should prioritize energy-saving Christmas lighting, as it helps the environment and saves money in the long run. The following tips for choosing the right commercial Christmas decorations ensure energy-efficient seasonal displays. 

• Use LED Lights: LED lights are optimal because they use about 75% less energy and last 25 times longer  than their incandescent counterparts. This saves companies money on power bills and reduces the need for replacements.
• Integrate Smart Lighting: Businesses should consider programming displays with Smart lighting that automatically turns lights on and off, so you don’t leave lights on all night, wasting money and energy.
• Solar-Powered Lighting: Solar-powered Christmas lighting is the latest trend. Mini-solar panels power the lights to reduce energy bills. Companies that install solar panels at their location will also save during the holiday season. 

Businesses must also make the distinction between residential and commercial-grade holiday lights. Commercial lights offer the following features:

• Durability: Made with quality materials to withstand weather events and high-traffic environments.
• Performance: Features higher wattage bulbs, so exterior Christmas lights for buildings shine more brightly.
• Cost: Although commercial-grade holiday lights are more expensive, they last longer, making them a good investment. 

Automation is beneficial in a holiday display. It ensures:

• Lights turn on and off at a particular time to conserve energy.
• Helps with displays, causing lights to follow patterns and blink on and off in a preset pattern.

Ensure various system components, including the switches and the lights, are compatible with automation. Research carefully to ensure you purchase products that support your needs. 

Make safety a priority by choosing products with certified safety ratings. Here are some common ones to consider.

• UL: Products that are UL certified have been tested to meet specific requirements under the Underwriters Laboratories Standards of Safety.
• DLC: The Design Lights Consortium performs testing to ensure lights meet color, distribution, and longevity standards.
• ELT: The Electrical Testing Laboratories test against the Standards of Safety and provide a mark to verify the product meets safety standards. 

While you can experiment with lighting, displays typically look best with a consistent theme in both style and light temperature as follows:

• Light Temperature: Lights are typically classified by how ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ they appear. To ensure a consistent appearance, it’s generally best to place cool lights and warm lights in separate sections of your display or integrate one category throughout.
• Light Sizes: Avoid commercial Christmas lighting installation mistakes by placing lights of similar styles together. For example, small lights will look best with other small lights, and the same goes for large lights. If you alternate, do so consistently.
• Light Styles: Light styles include rope lights, net lights, pathway lights, projectors , etc. You may be able to integrate these styles throughout your display, but following a pattern ensures the best results. 

Business holiday displays should scale over the years, evolving and growing bigger. However, many companies purchase non-scalable lighting systems that don’t meet these needs. Here are some tips to ensure your system grows with your company. 

• Choose Classic Designs: While trendy lights have their time and place, a classic design will complement various aesthetics and meet evolving needs. Pre-lit commercial Christmas trees , festive signage, and retail holiday displays typically feature traditional elements that easily integrate into multiple design aesthetics.
• Purchase Lights That Integrate with Various Systems: Avoid lights that need special wiring and components. They may not work with new systems.
• Choose Durable Decor: Your decor won’t scale if it doesn’t last. Choose durable decorations that withstand the test of time and can be integrated into design schemes for years to come. 

Many businesses neglect an essential step in their design strategy- business holiday display planning. As a result, they purchase decorations that are too big, too small, or don’t meet their design needs. Here are some ways to avoid these Christmas decorations selection mistakes: 

• Measure Carefully: Measure your design spaces to ensure you choose decorations that meet your spatial needs.
• Create a Map: Your map should replicate each decoration's placement.
• Reference Your Map While Shopping: Take your map with you while shopping so you can refer to it when choosing your decor. 

Now that you know what to avoid, here are some tips for choosing Christmas decorations that work with your design. 

LED lights are an obvious choice because they last longer and use less energy than traditional lights, saving you money in the long run. Also, be aware that commercial-grade and residential LED lights differ, as LED lights are more durable, have a longer lifespan, and hold up better to the elements. They will work best in business environments. 

Weatherproof and low-maintenance commercial Christmas decor go hand in hand. Items that are weatherproof will hold up better to various environments, reducing the need for repairs and replacements. However, there are some features specific to low-maintenance items that businesses should consider as follows: 

• Easy to Clean: Choose decorations that won’t require specialized cleaning, which can lead to additional time and cost investments.
• Sturdy: Avoid breakable decorations that can shatter in storage or while on display.
• Classic, Minimalist Designs: These decorations are easy to place in various design schemes, enhancing their low-maintenance appeal. 

Automation is essential in commercial decor. It can save you money and enhance design schemes. The decor you choose should be automation-ready, requiring minimal setup. It should also integrate well with existing components. 

Christmas lighting compliance and safety codes are also imperative. The UL listing is the most common certification, but there are several others, such as CE Marketing, DLC Approved, EnergyStar, ETL Certification, FCC Certification, and RoHS Certification. 

Branded Christmas decorations for businesses are an optimal choice because:

• They make your brand more memorable.
• Branded elements can appear in social media pictures, enhancing branding efforts.
• They foster a sense of credibility, promoting customer loyalty. 

Christmas decor can improve conversions, attract foot traffic, and help you stand out from the competition, but you won’t achieve your goals unless you avoid mistakes when selecting decorations. Choose high-quality products that make a favorable impression, withstand the test of time, and require little maintenance. Ensure products are safe and require little energy to avoid incidents and reduce costs. 

Despite prior knowledge, business owners often fall into common pitfalls. Dekra-Lite can help. We offer professional decorating services, ensuring optimal safety and quality installation. Our team follows high standards to provide impressive results. 

Contact us to minimize the stress of decorating for the holiday season. 

Commercial-grade holiday lights are typically made with high-quality materials that look their best and withstand the test of time. They impress customers, ensure safety, and save businesses money in the long run. 

Using regular Christmas lights outside your business is not a good idea. These lights are not outdoor-rated and will not withstand the elements, which can cause safety hazards. Know the difference between indoor and outdoor Christmas decor for businesses to ensure the best outcomes. 

You can make your Christmas lighting more energy efficient by using LED lights, which use less energy than their incandescent counterparts. Automated lighting is also recommended, as it turns on and off automatically, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving lights on overnight. 

LED lights and automated displays reduce energy use, saving businesses money and making a favorable impression on environmentally conscious customers. 

Yes, you should consider automation features when buying lights. Automated lights turn on and off automatically, reducing energy use and associated costs. They can also be set to blink in patterns or synchronize to music, enhancing your display aesthetics.