The Dos and Don’ts of Holiday Decorations in Commercial Spaces

There’s a lot riding on a commercial holiday display. Unlike a residential display, which mainly serves the purpose of pleasing you and your family, business Christmas decor attracts foot traffic, potentially increasing sales, and makes a (hopefully) favorable impression on your customers. With that in mind, business owners should understand the dos and don’ts of holiday decorations. 

This article will explore the various facets and offer commercial holiday decorating tips to ensure a successful holiday season. 

Holiday decorations play a huge role in commercial settings, serving the following purposes:

Customers should be reminded of your brand when they are in your store. The right professional holiday decorations can effectively convey your brand message. Here are some tips that will guide you in the right direction.

The materials used in your decorations should be commercial grade, ensuring they withstand the test of time and look elegant, rather than flimsy. Fire-safe Christmas decorations reduce the risk of flammability. Here are some guidelines to consider. 

The next of your commercial Christmas decor rules is to plan and book your decor timeline well in advance. Here’s why: 

• Ensures You Will Have Access to the Products and Services You Need: When the holidays come around, there’s a massive demand for decorations and related services. If you don’t plan early, you may miss out.
• Helps You Access Great Deals: The best deals on holiday decorations don’t happen right before the holiday. They typically occur during periods of low demand, immediately after the holidays, and during the spring and summer months. Planning early, and even year-round, ensures you can take advantage of these deals.
• Ensures Orders Arrive on Time: You may require special orders for branded ornaments. Planning early ensures they arrive when it’s time to decorate. 

Inclusive holiday decorations for businesses are also essential. Consumers appreciate companies that are inclusive of their beliefs and those of others. Therefore, you should not limit your decorations to Christmas only. Think of other holidays like Hanukkah and Kwanza. 

Another approach is to keep decorations non-denominational. Rather than focusing on a specific holiday, opt for winter themes that are inclusive of everyone. 

Some businesses may prefer to DIY their B2B holiday decor ideas, thinking it will save them money. However, a professional decorating service offers benefits and can even save you money in the long run. Here are some advantages it provides. 

• Ensures Safety: DIYing your decorations poses various risks. If decorations are not secure, they can fall on customers and employees, causing injury. Fire is another hazard to consider. When these incidents occur, they can be costly, devastating, and they can ruin your reputation. A professional agency is trained to install decor safely, reducing the risk of accidents. They also have insurance in place and may be liable in the event of an accident.
• Saves Time: Professional decorators eliminate the need for companies to shop for and install decorations. They have more time to focus on their customers and develop a successful holiday season strategy.
• Impressive Appearance: Decorators are trained to hang high-quality decor in an aesthetically pleasing fashion that is sure to impress your customers. 

Overcrowding or blocking key spaces presents the following risks:

Safety codes vary based on your location, but they may include:

• Using fire-retardant materials
• Ensuring there are sprinklers in decorated areas
• Using UL-approved lights and extensions

Look up safety codes in your area and ensure you are following them to avoid accidents, fines, and penalties.

Circuit capacity also varies, but most businesses use a 20-amp circuit. A safe limit is 80% of that capacity.

Although safety codes vary by location, almost all localities require businesses to keep emergency exits and pathways clear and unobstructed. If you violate this code, and law enforcement enters your store, you could be fined and penalized. Additionally, you could create a hazard that will put your employees and customers in danger. 

There are several reasons why you should not leave decorations up too long after the holidays. Here are some to consider.

• Local Laws: Some local laws set a time limit for displays. For example, in Burbank, CA, you are limited to displaying decorations for no more than six weeks per year.
• Holiday Fatigue: Decorations are special, but if you keep them up year-round, they become ho-hum. Some people may even get annoyed by them.
• Shows a Lack of Care: If you keep decorations up too long, people may assume you don’t care about your business and may not want to shop at your location. 

No business wants to spend a lot of time and money shopping for new decor each year. Therefore, they must choose decorations that scale and store well. Here are some things to consider.

• Avoid Delicates: When it comes to decorations, you can’t avoid fragile elements. However, you should stay away from ones that are exceptionally delicate and expensive to replace. If you have any breakables, store them carefully to prevent damage.
• Stock Up on Staples: Get trees , wreaths , and garlands that are easy to decorate with different themes.
• Select Classic, Not Trendy Decorations: It’s fun to incorporate decorations that align with the latest trends, but keep in mind that these decorations will likely be yesterday’s news come next year. If you want to integrate a trendy theme, choose less expensive items that follow that trend.

These workplace holiday decoration rules should keep your workplace safe and ensure an aesthetically pleasing display, but working with a professional may be your best option. They will ensure your decor looks professional. The team will consider all the dos and don’ts of holiday decorations, guaranteeing your display looks its best.

Dekra-Lite has several years of experience with large-scale holiday decorations. We offer a wide selection of high-quality Christmas products and professional installation. Our team will ensure your office or retail space is dressed to impress.

Contact us when you’re ready to decorate for the holiday season. 

The best commercial safe materials include PVC, steel, metal, aluminum, plastic, treated wood, and foil. Choose LED and UL-rated lighting. These materials are less likely to pose a fire risk and will withstand the test of time. 

There are several mistakes businesses can make with holiday decor, but the biggest mistake may be not following safety rules and regulations. Businesses that don’t decorate safely can incur significant expenses, put their customers and employees at risk, and permanently damage their reputations. 

Yes, there are safety regulations for holiday decorations in commercial buildings. They vary depending on your location, but generally, businesses should inspect lights, avoid overloading outlets to prevent electrical hazards, use fire prevention techniques, and ensure decorations are safely hung and installed. 

Companies can make office decorations more inclusive by ensuring they include holidays such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali, thereby celebrating the diverse cultural backgrounds of their employees and customers. Alternatively, they may avoid anything too holiday-like and adopt a winter theme instead. 

When it comes to planning for commercial holiday decorations, you can never be too early. It may be best to begin planning in the summer to avoid the rush that comes after Halloween. However, planning year-round ensures you always hear about the latest deals and discounts.