Editor’s Picks: Messe Frankfurt’s Christmasworld an international draw By Carly McFadden

International trade fair Christmasworld, hosted by Messe Frankfurt, brought fresh inspiration and buying opportunities to the retail market.

Christmasworld — which ran concurrently with Ambiente and Creativeworld — captivated attendees with festive and seasonal decorations, and I found myself in awe of the creativity and innovation on display throughout the Messe Frankfurt grounds.

The floors bustled with buyers from across the globe placing orders and having discussions with exhibitors.

Trends included a fresh take on vintage holiday décor, featuring extra elements of whimsy and light, that evoked warmth and nostalgia. In a similar vein, desserts-turned-décor was a popular trend across showrooms. From croissant ornaments to cake-shaped figural candles, sweet treats were aplenty in holiday.

Additionally, unique colorways were introduced to the holiday market. Among those were pinks and reds, presenting a Valentine’s Day-esque take on traditional Christmas. Jewel tones, neons and pastels also enriched the offerings, giving retailers opportunities to both modernize and individualize their holiday merchandise.

Here I present some personal favorites showcased at the event. Christmasworld 2026 takes place Feb. 6-10, 2026. More details on next year’s show can be found here.