Greetings from Germany

Editor-in-Chief Julie McCallum and Allison McKenzie, Gift Shop’s multimedia designer, recently attended Christmasworld in Frankurt, Germany. It was an exciting opportunity to discover products and trends in Europe to share with retailers in the United States.

Both manufacturers and retailers had a successful start to the new business season at the Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld consumer-goods fairs, as well as at Floradecora, the floral market place. A total of 3,023 exhibitors from 69 countries presented their latest festive and seasonal decorations, fresh flowers and plants, paper, office supplies and stationery, and hobby, art and craft supplies to the national and international trade. Altogether, around 87,000 visitors from 162 countries, an increase of 2 percent, made their way to Frankfurt to discover trends and top themes to boost their business in the future.

This year’s consumer-goods fairs were dominated by botany — plants, leaves, cacti and beetles are trending — as reflected by a host of high-grade designs and materials, especially in dark blue and green with gold accents.

Christmas and seasonal decorations are drawing inspiration from flora and fauna. Peacocks, marine animals and jungle motifs were omnipresent at Christmasworld. As well as furry friends such as dogs, sheep, llamas and alpacas. 

Natural wood lent texture to a variety of displays and German-made woodcrafts were abundant at the fair. Felt, faux fur and sequined fabric are popular textiles that are being seen everywhere. Green was a major color story seen throughout the fair, particularly a lighter shade which some might call mint, or aqua. Lighter colors in general, bordering on pastel, were stunning paired with matte silvers and whites.