Decking the Halls

The year’s biggest holiday is approaching fast but there is still time for retailers to make some preparations. Merchants who sell items primarily intended to be presents should have every thing already in place so let’s take a look at some Christmas specialty items.

Artificial Christmas Trees:  Although some consider fake Christmas trees a tasteless scandal many people particularly those with a business they want to give a festive look like artificial trees. They don’t need watering, the needles stay put, and there is no question what to do with the tree once New Year’s Day rolls around.

It used to be that artificial Christmas trees looked like nothing so much as a pipe cleaner display and held very little charm for the Christmas enthusiast but times have changed. Now artificial trees are often very authentic looking and even made to look like specific species of trees.

Artificial trees can be purchased already strung with lights and all the buyer need do is assemble, add some ornaments, and plug the thing in. It’s nearly instant Christmas spirit.

A drawback to artificial trees is that even reasonably attractive ones can cost a good deal more than real trees. Of course, the fake ones last a long time, theoretically forever, and durability costs. One company found online was selling artificial trees for prices ranging from about $350 to a barely believable $1,200 each. They were lovely and were equipped with lights that came with a warranty lasting for three to five years depending on the model.

Nearly every artificial Christmas tree wholesaler also carried wreaths and garlands as well. The prices for wreaths comparable to the trees. For example, a 48-inch pre-lighted wreath goes for around $100. Smaller ones are a little less.

Christmas Tree Ornaments: Once you’ve got your tree you need ornaments. Ornaments come in an amazing variety of styles and colors ranging from the classic balls to figurines to what amounts to works of art. Ornaments are often meant to commemorate family events such as a new baby or anniversary and have messages to that effect printed on them.

While most families have cherished ornaments they save for generations many families just starting out or with cats or young children must buy at least a few new ornaments every year. Ornaments can be purchased in bulk packages with generic balls or snowflakes for a few dollars or as individual unique pieces with special meanings.

It isn’t possible to provide a list of all the ornaments available that even approaches completion. Still here are few unique ones that seemed particularly unusual or beautiful. One company offers replicas of the special ornaments made for the White House Christmas tree including ones from as far back as the James Garfield administration. These lovely ornaments cost around $30 each and would make a charming addition to any tree.

They also include ornaments from the Supreme Court Christmas trees. Here is the description of one such ornament. “This extraordinary, eight-sided ball ornament is plated in 24kt gold. It has four photographs of the Supreme Court building, and is also engraved with many icons found throughout the Supreme Court building.”

Many companies offer small sets of hand painted ceramic ornaments feature tradition Christmas themes. For example, a set of ten different Santa Claus poses sold for $45. While these could not be called unique they certainly are charming and rather unusual.

One company found online sells hand made glass ornaments featuring African-American themes. These lovely and truly unique ornaments show biblical or non-religious images and come individually packaged in gift boxes. They cost around $15 apiece.

A little time spent on the Internet will turn up a countless number of excellent suppliers of Christmas ornaments and other decorations. The items available range from inexpensive mass-produced imports to hand crafted individual works of art manufactured by small arts and crafts businesses. If you get out and start looking now you should have time to get them in stock in time for the holiday. Who knows, you might even find something for your own tree.