December is a month of many holidays, each dependent upon a particular set of beliefs or traditions. Getting your restaurant in the holiday spirit for our modern world can be challenging and overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you create a festive atmosphere that works for your business.
People from different faiths celebrate different holidays. Despite the fact that many holidays have become commercialized, they are often founded on religious beliefs. A few multicultural holidays you can expect to hear about this month are:
- Boxing Day
- Christmas
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Hanukkah
- Kwanzaa
- Yule or Winter Solstice
Every business has the option to remain neutral and simply stick with their own theme during the holiday season. However, we all know that this time of year can be great for businesses because people are out and about spending more money than usual. Creating an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of the holiday season can bring in guests by capturing their current spirit. When deciding what type of holiday decorations to use, keep these questions in mind.
- Who are your customers? If you have a specialty restaurant serving a specific menu inspired by a particular culture it makes sense to decorate for the related holidays. Winter-inspired decor that includes penguins, snowmen, blue, and white is likely to be considered holiday neutral.
- What are the owners beliefs? The thing that sets your restaurant apart from all others is the unique story of the owners or how the establishment came into being.
- Are your decorations excluding anyone?
- Can the decorations be used year after year?
- Will holiday decorations get in the way of your job?
Getting in the holiday spirit can include window displays, seasonal menu items, festive aprons, or themed linens. Once you have thought through your ideas about holiday decorating, you can look for specific items. Decorating is not a requirement of any business, but more often than not guests will appreciate it and respond accordingly.