There is so much to enjoy about this window display. Individual columns and/or plinths present the books directly at eye level, and the use of draperies helps create additional texture and framing. Some hearts, some flowers, and it is pretty darn romantic!
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RIPPED BODICE

By Amy Meadows

Ideas and Inspiration for Some of the Year’s First Holidays

Roses are red, and shamrocks are green. What kind of clever displays have you seen?

When it comes to Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, it is difficult to find innovative interpretations or unusual props. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the business.

I am guessing that even though you have brand-new products with hearts and leprechauns, those iconic images remain in place. We see similar situations with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Easter — your customers expect familiar, traditional imag­ery. But is there a way to mix it up a bit?

During my career designing department store windows, I slammed up against swimwear each January, desperately seeking a design motif that was not beach balls. Or sandcastles. Or life­guard chairs. Or big cutouts of suns and clouds.

If I never have to do swimwear or bridal displays again in my life, that will be OK with me!

Let’s break down the primary components for two early-in-the-year holidays and look for wiggle room.

Valentine’s Day

At the heart of it all is well — the heart. We also have:

  • Cupid
  • Arrows (with or without Cupid)
  • Chocolates
  • Candy
  • Kisses
  • Roses

We will even see an occasional nod to analog envelopes that deliver Valentine’s cards through the (gasp) mail! We are not talking about cards for classroom distribution or for sliding across the table on date night.

With the above ingredients, there are opportunities to mix components within a single aesthetic category. Some examples follow.

Vintage charm. Bring it! Maybe you are creating a kitchen vibe with gingham linens, mixing bowls, pitchers as vases, cook­books, and even some lovely spoons, sifters, or baking sheets.

Elegant romance. Roses in crystal vases, champagne flutes, an ice bucket with a bottle. A silky bow tie or a feather boa if you are going that route. Or a few romance novels as proper or risers. Silver trays also serve a dual purpose as props that help set the scene but can also hold special merchandise for optimal viewing.

Playful. Stuffed teddy bears, oversized heart pillows, and cheerful Cupids.

Galentine’s Day. Spa Day. Night on the Town. Everything from cozy robes to martini glasses, board games, skincare products.

Affirmations. In theory, you do not need to have an actual Valentine to enjoy treats on Feb. 14. Treat yourself! You deserve it! A little self-care goes a long way . . . I mean, grab those choco­lates! Why not?

And regardless of the direction you take with the holiday, this is a reminder that those displays must come down on Feb. 15. There is no wiggle room — no clearance sale. Have your replacement plans in place and ready to go.

It might very well be the case that you are following Valentine’s Day with St. Patrick’s Day. A playlist of Irish ballads and jigs can set the stage almost immediately . . . let’s get this party started!

Nothing says affirmations quite like a heart-shaped gathering of — you’ve got this — sticky notes. Eye catching? Absolutely. Affordable? Um, office supplies! Engaging? Invite your customers and online fans to contribute their shout outs.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LUXXE APPAREL
Yes, selfie spots are still a thing. While you may not have Valentine’s Day specific products in your mix, that is no reason to avoid observing and celebrating the holiday! I loved this station in Zagreb, providing passersby with an opportunity to create a special photo or reel for social media. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHOW ME ZAGREB

St. Patrick’s Day

In Chicago, the river is dyed bright green and downtown teems with wanna-be leprechauns, “Kiss me, I’m Irish” invita­tions, and celebrations of alcohol. LOTS of alcohol.

If your merchandise categories include bar setups, special glasses, and table linens, you are set. And remember you should NOT use actual liquor in display bottles or decanters to avoid exposure and/or explosion.

While Valentine’s Day can be interpreted in a variety of ways and for a range of ages, St. Patrick’s Day is a bit narrower in scope. But who does not love the idea of a pot of gold waiting at the end of the rainbow?

In addition, an abundance of all green and clover-like things can create a playful vibe. Pots of gold? Scatter some foil-wrapped chocolate coins on trays and risers.

Fill up any empty glass vases you have sitting around. They will then shimmer a bit more visibly than if you poured your shiny items into the traditional black pot.

I recently wrote a column about inspiration resources. If I did not sing the praises of public libraries loudly enough, well, they do amazing work on their displays. Clever, trendy, engaging, and creative — all the things we want in a retail environment are almost always on display in library showcases, windows, and event spaces. I loved that this simple rainbow made of paper loop strands created such a wow across the large window. Great placement and design! PHOTO COURTESY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Go big! Go green! Studio23/The Arts Center provides clever, well executed décor for business windows. While this image is playful in nature, remember that an artist can work with you to find the type of artwork and signage that fits your brand. I cannot emphasize this enough! It is critically important that your business be consistent from outside in, from the sidewalk to the back of house.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDIO 23/THE ARTS CENTER
For either Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day, a little vintage charm goes a long way. In this vignette, a predominantly green color story is brightened with pops of yellow. Something similar can be accomplished for Valentine’s Day with a red layout, accented with pink or white. This will help stretch your merchandise inventory while adding visual layering.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISSA SMITH, COLORFUL HOME COLORFUL LIFE