Presenting

Feature 16 December | 2021 Decorating services could include setting up and decorating trees; designing and hanging wreaths, garlands and bows both indoors and out; hanging lighting, both indoors and out; creating vignettes with clients' holiday collectibles; staging stationary outdoor décor ; and much more. Particularly with commercial clients, some of the pieces can be of extraordinary size—such as 20-foot-tall Christmas trees and 10-foot-diameter wreaths (or larger!), so the price points for these pieces are also larger, as is the design and installation labor. And let's not forget post-holiday décor takedown, packing and even storage options. You can easily see that the possibilities to create additional revenue by offering holiday and seasonal decorating services throughout the year are endless. e goal is to be a one-stop service for all of a client's holiday decorating needs. With permanent décor, you can refresh items every year, giving them a new look and feel according to each customer's needs. Also every year, you can offer new items and add-ons to keep the décor looking new and different as well as making another sales. Jon Robert Throne, AIFD, CFD, is the "king of Christmas" in northwest Washington state. His company, Countryside Floral & Garden in Issaquah, does yearly holiday installations for hotels, country clubs and private homes. He shares that some of his accounts need multiple fully decorated trees as well as garlands and wreaths. "ese are often big-ticket items, and you don't want to miss these sales," rone states. "Establishments like hotels and country clubs, in particular, as well as many large corporations often have large budgets for holiday décor, so don't miss the opportunity to cater to them." rone's busiest time for holiday installations typically spans the week before anksgiving through the first week of December. "e timing is good for my business because it is before the Christmas rush for floral deliveries, making it a perfect addition to the services we offer," he notes. "Some clients have been with me for more than 15 years. Having repeat annual contracts enables me to plan and schedule in advance, and it also allows me to shop for my clients prior to the

• Cover