What’s better than a trip around the world for Christmas? Well honestly, nothing – but in lieu of that, we’re dreaming of a holiday event that pays homage to the gorgeous window displays and other larger-than-life festive installations that pop up this time of year in our favourite cities all around the world. The iconic Rockefeller tree in New York, the picturesque Christmas markets of Berlin, the stunningly ornate cathedrals of Moscow, the bustling energy of London all lit up… imagine your event as a magical portal to these faraway places, all just a quick cab ride from home.
The Look
A great way to bring this idea to life would be to dress the perimeter of the room with epic holiday window displays, each based around a different city’s unique seasonal vibe and culture. Construct simple frames, then fill them with objects, images, fabrics, and colours that will transport your guests. Going big with oversized ornaments and large props inside of grand displays will help you capture the spirit and wonder of crowding around beautiful department store windows, wandering through festive markets, or admiring seasonally decorated landmarks like St. Basil’s Cathedral, Leadenhall Market, or Rockefeller Centre.
Entertainment
There are so many ways to engage guests with this theme that we could easily get a little carried away with ideas. Photo opps are a natural fit with the tourist-for-a-night situation, and could be staged inside the window displays with guests as mannequins (who knows, maybe you’ll single-handedly revive the #mannequinchallenge). A window design contest would be another fun way to get guests actively involved, and pop-up entertainment like carolers or street buskers would add to the ambience in your space. Channel Rockefeller Centre by staging your own giant tree-lighting ceremony, or even – should location allow it – provide access to an ice rink.
Food and Beverage
This is the ultimate chance to explore flavours from around the world, so do a little research and be adventurous! Serve the mouthwatering flavours of Carnaby Street or Alexanderplatz from market-style booths, and offer glühwein (German mulled wine) from a bar set up inside a window display. Roasted chestnuts in a paper cone are the perfect treat for guests to snack on while wandering from city to city. The possibilities here are literally endless, and the hardest part will be narrowing it down.
Looking for more holiday event inspiration? Check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our 2017 Holiday Lookbook!
