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This Christmas, it's personal
Friday, November 25, 2005 Some years, snowmen are the rage. At other times, blue and silver ornaments fly off the shelves.
Retailers said this year's hot Christmas decorative items are different. This time, they're personal.
Anne Koehler, merchandise manager of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, said one of this year's biggest Christmas trends is personalized decorations or ornaments created for an individual's interests and personality.
"The more personal you can make the ornament, that seems to be what is selling," she said.
There are personalized ornaments for accountants, field-hockey players and in memory of a beloved family pet. Individualized stockings and Santa hats also are popular at Bronner's, which bills itself as the world's largest Christmas store.
Theme trees are popular at Mary Maxim's in Port Huron.
The store has hunting-themed trees featuring antler ornaments and pheasant feathers, nautical-themed trees with seagulls and lighthouses, cowboy trees with boot ornaments and even a tree with Nutcracker ballet decorations.
Merchandise manager Lorri Wright said the cowboy-themed tree has been selling especially well as is a 1970s-style tree. She wasn't sure how well the silver, white and burgundy trees would go over in Port Huron, but they seem to be a hit with the customers.
"We thought, well, we'd give them a try," she said. "(But) people seem to be buying them up."
Seeking tradition
Other trends point toward tradition.
Snowmen aren't as hot this year, while both miniature and icicle lights having run their course. Instead, big bulbs are in.
One of last year's color trends was blue and silver, but Koehler said in 2005 it is back to the red and green basics.
Locally, Hobby Lobby manager Chris Ressler said popular trends at the new Fort Gratiot store include blown-glass ornaments, large light bulbs on Christmas lights, decorative ribbons and custom floral arrangements.
Do-your-own Christmas ornaments are also popular. Ressler said the ornament kits allow the family to create their own personalized tree decorations.
Preparing for the rush
In downtown Port Huron, employees at Hopp's Little Shoppe on the Corner were busy changing their displays from fall to Christmas, working long hours to be ready for the day after Thanksgiving crowds today.
"I think a lot of people are waiting for the Thanksgiving holiday to kick off their thinking about Christmas decorating," owner Deborah Bem said.
Bem said the store specializes in customized floral arrangements, including holiday decorations for tables or mantelpieces.
Patricia Maurer of Ruth customized one of the trees in her home with a Fourth of July theme. Her husband is a Vietnam veteran, so the tree is decorated with military themed ornaments in patriotic red, white and blue colors.
It is one of four trees Maurer will decorate for her home. Others include an old-fashioned maroon and gold tree.
The family will begin decorating today.
Daughter Michelle Benson of Ubly said, with four trees to decorate, it's quite the event.
"(It's) very messy and very hectic," she said.
Usually, the family's four daughters and grandchildren join in the festivities. Even though she stores the trees pre-lit, Maurer estimates it takes about a week to finish decorating.
Decorating also takes place the day after Thanksgiving, though on a much lower scale for Howie Harkins of Sarnia. Harkins, whose parents were Americans, has his decorating plan in mind.
"Same as last year," he said. "Clean out the basement."
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