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MERRY CHRISTMAS. As we run off the days until Christmas, it seems like the holiday comes earlier and faster every year, and 2015 is no exception. Maybe it’s because there isn’t the significant change in weather down here in Florida so the days tend to be the same as they were in September and July and April. In any event, it’s time to get into the full-court press for us to make sure that we are ready for our favorite holiday. We did get a jump on a few things like the outdoor lights and Santas, setting up the tree and decorations and work on this month’s blog in advance. All done before we took off for a visit to the Christmas markets on the Rhine with stops in four countries and several cities to see how the holiday are celebrated in towns dating back to when Santa was just a young elf. Boy, were we surprised. Christmas is alive and well in Basel, Strasbourg, Mainz, Koblenz and Cologne.
As we explored the various Christmas market festivals in each city, we were taken back into memories of how the holidays felt many years ago. We tried to figure out what made it so special and we came to the conclusion that Christmas in Europe is not just a holiday selling season, but it’s a time of celebration for the entire community and all of the businesses (not just the retailers) go all out to show their celebration of the holiday. No political correctness here. This is Christmas with Nativity scenes, Santa Clauses, angels, and all of the other symbols. But most obvious is the happy faces of the people—whether they were visiting the markets or whether they were working the various businesses. It was a festival atmosphere and yet it was calming (“All is calm…”) and heartwarming. Yes, many of the booths in the Christmas markets sell the same items as those in other cities. Yet, there is enough local flavor to give each one its own personality and style. Sure there were special prices, but it didn’t seem like prices and sales were the key focus. The displays—whether in a small, cold hut or in a centuries-old building were as exciting as any that I’ve seen on Fifth Avenue. The crowds were there on Wednesday morning just like they were most evenings and on the weekends where families, seniors, and youth mingled and enjoyed the atmosphere and the offerings. There were women in burkas, men wearing yarmulkes, priests, and even some tourists! Everyone enjoying the special time of year.
Christmas season surely is the biggest sales period in retail all over the world and as such the brand of this season certainly needs to 
constantly be refined while sticking to the reasons for the season that make it special. It’s not all about black Friday prices and one-day sales. It’s a celebration and a time for special memories. Standing in line in one of the many Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas stores (you’ve got to experience one of these!) I had the same feeling that I had each Christmas when my mother would load me and my brothers on the Detroit streetcars to go to Hudson’s Downtown department store. This was not just a shopping trip. It was an excursion into the North Pole and Bethlehem and New York all wrapped up in one. An exciting, memorable time and shopping was just a sidelight to a tradition that I’ll always remember. That’s what the brand of Christmas is all about when it comes to retail. The marketing should reflect this attitude of a special time of year. The stores should dress themselves up more with experience and less on sale signs. The people serving you should be as excited as you are about the season and the experience. The community should continue to make living there extra special at this time and give people a reason to come out and share the experience.
So, if you’re dreading the last few days of the Christmas rush, take a few minutes to think back what made this holiday so special when you were young. Think about the brand of Christmas and why this time of year is not only a time for revenues and promotions, but also a time for experiences and memories. If you’re one of the marketers trying to take advantage of the season, make it special for your customers by going the extra mile to make it a memorable experience. If you’re a customer, enjoy the experience and enjoy your families.
Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.
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