Christmas Decorations Basics

Office Christmas decorations need to be suitable for your business and your clients
By Geraldine McGowan Christmas decorations for business can be an over-the-top blow-up Santa or a quietly conservative live wreath hung in the receptionist's area. Consider if the Christmas decorations are going to be seen by clients, are for the pleasure of you and your employees, or are for decorating your office party. Before you buy Christmas decorations, consider their function in your business.

Christmas decorations for businesses should take into account the type of business you own. If you're a CPA, a mechanized Betty Boop in a red suit, singing "Santa Baby" is probably not the message you want to send.

1. Think green with business Christmas decorations. Use decorations that do not use a lot of electricity.

2. If you're a new business, only buy a few items; you can add more decorations every year.

3. Buy your employees one ornament each for their trees as a Christmas memento.

Consider how business Christmas decorations fit into your business image

Let's get down to Christmas decorations basics. Even if you don't have clients visting your place of business, consider the image you want to put forward to your employees. An elegant, uncluttered Christmas decoration could be an artificial tree with lights in the waiting area.
Try:  You know you need the right size, but what kind of tree do you want? For a small price, Tree Classics will send you a box of tree samples. Get a tree that fits proportionately in the reception area. Tree Classics' trees come in a variety of sizes, and some trees are pre-lit. Go green for Christmas and buy LED lights--they're more expensive but much more energy efficient. Holiday LEDs recycles its lights as well as sells them.

Use Christmas decorations for client and/or employee presents

If it's in your budget, sending a Christmas token to your clients is a great marketing tool. For clients, it shows an appreciation of the business they give to you. A Christmas memento for your employees can create a bond between the both of you. Specially chosen Christmas tree decorations given with a bonus is a nice touch. Even without bonuses, or especially if it's not possible to give bonuses, it's an acknowledgment of your appreciation.
Try:  SnowGlobes.com describes features of popular snow globe brands. Learn more about different types of ornaments at wiseGEEK.

Put up Christmas decorations for business to attract customers

If you're in a food or retail business, you know that Christmas decorations outdoors can bring in customers. Not only that, but making the outside of your business Christmasy gives every business in the area a boost. Large-scale Christmas decorations outside a shop can be pricey, but they'll last for years.
Try:  Winterland has a "design your own" feature for outdoor displays. Check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for tips on keeping your indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations safe.