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Show your Canadian pride with our Canada-Themed Displays >>
Sure, the winter holidays might seem like they're ages away now… but once that snowball gets rolling, it doesn't slow down! The clock is already ticking to get your commercial holiday displays planned ahead of time.
With holiday displays popping up earlier and earlier each year (a trend known as 'holiday creep'), early planning means you’re ready to launch your festive experience right when your competitors do (or even get a head start!)
So, let's talk about how getting a jump on this now saves you trouble down the road and sets your team up for success. You can look forward to a smoother process, more creative choices and, ultimately, a commercial holiday display that brings real joy and sparkle to your community, customers, and visitors!
A lot of what we do here at Classic Displays involves custom-made holiday decorations (and we’ll talk about those soon), but most commercial displays involve more than just big, custom pieces. Think holiday lighting and accessories, garlands, site furniture, and banners. These supporting pieces are just as important as the main event for setting the scene and creating that perfect holiday atmosphere and making your space feel complete.
Popular ready-to-go items like these disappear quickly as the holidays get closer. If you wait until fall, you'll likely find a limited selection, making it harder to bring your vision for your display to life.
Start planning your commercial displays now and you’ll avoid that last-minute scramble for what's left. You'll have the best pick of everything you need to design the truly unique and captivating experience you're aiming for. Your patrons will definitely notice the extra care and attention to detail!
Now, custom displays are what really take your holiday display to the next level. We love working with our clients to brainstorm, design, and build unique pieces that transform your venue into a destination – the kind of place that natural draws crowds and positive social media buzz.
What often comes as a surprise is that planning for these custom creations, particularly impressive, jumbo-sized pieces (like this magical Rope Light Dragon or this snowstopping Tim Hortons light display), usually needs to begin more than a year out. The bigger or more intricate the design, the more production lead time is required.
Getting the ball rolling on these one-of-a-kind designs now means there's many opportunities for detailed creative discussions and several rounds of design revisions, all without the stress of a fast-approaching deadline. If the first ideas need adjusting or a complete rethink, there’s plenty of breathing room to get it right without risking delays.
It’s this level of thought and care that goes into creating truly classic holiday displays!
Part of our process here at Classic Displays is a comprehensive on-site evaluation of your space. This process combines creative vision for your space with practical considerations, like taking careful measurements and using an expert eye to spot often-overlooked potential hurdles. For instance, we look closely at:
Ceiling factors: Not just the height, but also load-bearing capacity, existing fixtures (like lights or sprinklers), and any obstructions such as CCTV cameras, HVAC units, or emergency exit signs.
Available floor space: This needs to properly account for customer foot traffic, clear emergency exit paths, and all accessibility requirements.
Power sources: We check the location of your electrical supply and ensure its adequate for the planned display.
Equipment access: It's important to identify any potential issues for bringing in installation equipment, such as lifts or scaffolding, including things like floor load limits or narrow doorways.
These points aren't necessarily deal-breakers; they often just need some smart problem-solving (which, honestly, can be half the fun!). But the real key is addressing any potential snags early in the game, not at the last minute when you're up against a tight deadline.
If your holiday display is going outdoors, you'll likely need to navigate a few extra logistical steps. This can include securing a permit from your local town or city. You’ll also need to plan for electrical tie-ins and may need to adjust your display design to meet public safety and accessibility requirements before any permissions are granted.
While permits are clearly important for everyone's safety and enjoyment, getting one isn't always a quick process. Depending on your location, it can take weeks or even months. So, working out those specifics with your supplier early on means you can get the permit process started sooner, ensuring all logistics are handled in good time.
Beyond permits, there are other logistics. Installing a large commercial holiday display often calls for specialized equipment, like a crane or a lift (cherry-picker). Booking this equipment well in advance is a smart move because it gives you flexibility to schedule installation and takedown at times that cause the least disruption to shoppers and other tenants.
Finding room in the budget for holiday displays often means planning months ahead, usually coinciding with the start of your organization's fiscal year (which, of course, varies and isn't always January 1st). Committing to your holiday display budget early on gives you a leg up.
Early planning gives you ample time to research and gather multiple estimates from various suppliers. This preparation helps you avoid rushed decisions made under pressure, which can easily strain the budget. Last-minute orders and expedited shipping for materials or custom-built pieces are notorious budget-busters.
Pst… Some suppliers and design companies also offer more favourable estimates or early-bird bonuses for contracts confirmed well in advance!
Let’s be honest: Planning a large-scale commercial holiday display that will be seen by thousands does will always come with its share of stress. With so many parts and details to coordinate, challenges are bound to arise.
However, when you finalize your display plans well before the holiday rush, you and your team are much better equipped to handle any bumps in the road. Getting details ironed out now frees your staff to concentrate on other important tasks during that hectic holiday period (a notoriously busy time for any commercial operation!).
In our experience, planning without the intense pressure of looming deadlines also allows creativity to really shine. It gives you breathing room to explore different ideas and creative directions. You won’t be forced to just run with the first concept simply because there’s no time for second-guessing. Instead, you can collaborate with a dedicated creative team to develop an absolutely stunning design that will dazzle your patrons.
Ultimately, this foresight makes for a better holiday season all around – for your patrons, your staff, and you – with a lot less stress and a lot more cheer!
So, to quickly sum up why planning your commercial holiday displays now:
Instead of picking through the leftovers later… You get the absolute widest and best selection of lights, banners, site furniture, and all the other essentials for your display.
While other venues feature the same generic décor from big box stores… You’ll have totally unique, spectacular custom pieces that make your location stand out.
Instead of stressing over that moment when a display arrives and doesn’t quite work… You’ll have complete confidence that your holiday setup is perfectly suited for your venue, with no need for last-minute fixes or compromises.
By the time the holiday hustle and bustle are truly in full swing… You’ll have all your logistics firmly sorted and ready to go.
When it's time for those year-end budget discussions… You won’t find yourself having to explain why the holiday campaign went way over budget.
And at the end of the day, despite the general chaos of the holiday season… Your display planning process will have been smooth and low stress for both you and your team.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you have a clear vision already or are looking for some guidance to transform, now’s the perfect time to start planning your commercial holiday display!
Our creative team at Classic Displays has the experience to help bring it all to life. We’ve served 350+ municipalities, 150+ BIA groups, and countless commercial properties like yours – and we’re standing by to help you too. Connect with us to start planning today!
People of every age, gender, and creed enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces. But did you know there’s science to support the notion that green spaces improve community health?
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, environment, vegetation, and connectivity of green spaces were associated with improved health outcomes, although there were some differences based on age and gender.
The report also noted that areas that had greater tree canopies were more impactful than grassland. The primary outcomes that researchers found were health benefits surrounding allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular issues, and psychological well-being.
However, the quality of those green spaces matters.
According to the aforementioned study (titled ‘Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review’), "Green spaces may vary in terms of objectively measurable good qualities," while bad qualities may discourage visitation and negate any potential health benefits.
Here are some of the major good qualities the researchers mention that promote wellness and overall mental well-being:
Tree canopy
Footpaths
Seating
The bad qualities listed that discourage visitation to green spaces include:
Proximity to busy roads
Lack of accessibility
Neighbourhood green spaces have been proven to improve mental health, particularly with disadvantaged groups. Green spaces improve mental well-being primarily by creating a place for social interactions, green visibility, and allowing for physical exercise.
However, access to green spaces offer health benefits including improved levels of mental health, physical fitness, cognitive and immune function, and lower mortality rates.
Physical activity has been proven to be beneficial for your mental health. Being active releases chemicals in your brain that cause you to feel good, which can boost self-esteem, help you concentrate, and even make falling asleep easier. What’s more? This is amplified by getting outside.
You know the best part about that? It's something you can do completely free of charge. That would make anybody feel good! A lot of us hesitate to get active because we've been fed the notion that fitness happens in the gym; However, finding exercise you're able to enjoy for minimal to no cost can give you opportunity to get active without the sacrifice.
You can get out of the house, meet people, enjoy the weather and scenery by entering beautiful outdoor spaces.
Reduced tension, stress, and mental fatigue.
A natural boost in energy.
A sense of achievement.
Increased focus and motivation.
Feeling less angry or frustrated.
A healthier appetite.
Enjoyment and having fun.
However, it isn’t just about getting physical (although this is also great!); there are other ways nature can boost your mental health. Research has shown that nature has the natural ability to make people feel happier while reducing levels of depression and anxiety, while also making life feel like it’s more worthwhile.
Here are some simple, easy things you can do in green spaces other than just working out:
Have a picnic with the family.
Attending a weekend farmer’s market.
Go for a leisurely stroll.
Find a bench to do arts and crafts.
Enjoy morning coffee or tea (or any drink, really).
Attend local events held in outdoor public spaces.
Remember, while going outdoors is a fantastic way to give yourself a mental health boost, don’t forget to touch base with your doctor and mental health professionals.
Did you know Canadians spend roughly 90% of their time indoors? Post-pandemic, many people have equipped their homes with most of what they need, whether that's enough food to last a few weeks, a home gym or equipment, and plenty of indoor houseplants.
Many people work from home, too. In the modern era, few of us are likely to leave our homes for anything more than personal obligations like errands. Getting outdoors is great for your physical health, even if you have all the amenities you need to workout at home. Because getting physical outdoors has specific benefits!
Spending time outdoors can boost physical health in a lot of ways, and the best part is, you don't need to spend hours upon hours to reap the benefits. A study conducted in 2019 showed that 120 minutes a week in nature has been connected with good health outcomes and overall well-being. You don’t need to do that all at once, either.
You can either go on a 2-hour walk/jog or even break it up into smaller increments throughout the week. That 120 minutes per week is the sweet spot.
Here are some of the physical benefits of getting exercise outside:
Improved breathing
Better sleep
Increased motivation
Boosted immune function
Improved cardiovascular health
Increased vitamin D
OK, we’ve looked at the research, but how do you practically make a beautiful outdoor space that improves the health of the community? Well, there are a few things you need to keep in mind!
Having the right foliage and outdoor decor makes the space appealing to the community at large.
Having accessible site furniture that makes your green space welcoming to every one of every age and capability.
Classic Displays has everything you need to make healthy green spaces. From benches, to waste and recycling bins, as well as planters and tree guards. Plus, we have a lot more! We’ll get more into the specifics as we continue.
So, how do we create the most beautiful outdoor spaces for your community? Let’s explore.
Keeping your site furniture maintained isn’t just for aesthetics, it’s also to maintain accessibility. Speaking of accessible site furniture , you need to go for options that work well for everyone. Park benches, for example, should have supportive armrests to help those with physical limitations safely rise and stand from the seat.
The bench also needs a lot of clearance around it for wheelchair users.
Here’s how to properly maintain outdoor site furniture:
Clean surfaces regularly with mild soap and water.
Inspect for damage or wear periodically.
Tighten loose screws, bolts, or fasteners.
Apply protective coatings as needed (i.e., paint, sealant).
Remove debris and dirt from around furniture bases.
Store or cover during extreme weather conditions.
Replace damaged components promptly.
Classic Displays has several pieces of accessible site furniture. Check out our Compliant Picnic Table and our Accessible Riverside Bench.
You need some versatile site furniture that can provide a safe place to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy activities. What does that mean? Plenty of picnic tables! Picnic tables are some of the most versatile pieces of site furniture because they can be used as a place to relax and enjoy the surroundings, while also being a perfect surface for activities like arts and crafts, board games, and even chess.
Make sure all outdoor spaces have regular maintenance. This means keeping site furniture in good condition, keeping grass and foliage trimmed and clear from walkways, and the area clear from trash. Keeping this space clean not only improves its aesthetics, but it also promotes community green efforts.
Making sure there is ample trash and recycling bins within reach for disposables means you keep the surrounding area healthy, while ensuring materials are going in the right place. This also gets the community involved in green efforts, making an overall healthier environment for everyone.
You should also invest in signs that encourage people not to litter and “stoop and scoop” after their pets. Also, have a specialized bin for animal waste: no one wants to walk by a trash can that smells like poo.
Check out Classic Displays Urban Flare Container and Fido 25 Dog Waste Bin.
Whether you bike for sport or use it as your primary means of transportation, you need a safe place to store your ride. Green spaces need to have bike racks that are secure enough that those visiting to lock up their bikes to take a break and enjoy the beautiful outdoor space.
Classic Displays is renowned for our stunning Christmas décor, but we also craft high-quality site furniture designed to keep your community green and accessible. If any of our products caught your eye today, we’d love to hear from you!
With over 46 years of experience, our team is ready to meet your community’s needs with expertise and care.
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