Designers expanding palate, adding whimsical themes

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.

Well, except for that leopard print safari jeep ornament. Or those lime green and purple wall hangers. And what's with the blue New York Yankees stocking?

If you've been shopping recently for holiday decor, you've no doubt noticed that store shelves are stocked with things that look less like Christmases past and more like a festive fall or winter celebration. The usual stuff is there -- colored lights, red and green ornaments, Santa figurines, reindeer -- but they're almost overshadowed by ornaments and decorations in shapes and colors not usually associated with the holidays.

In fact, the hottest color this season isn't the traditional red or green. It's turquoise, says Jill Abelman, principal designer for Inside Style, a local interior design firm.

"People want versatility," says Melissa Patterson, visual manager for Bloomingdale's Las Vegas. "You don't have to rely on the standard red or green. You can take a color like purple that people don't associate with holidays and put it together with silver metallic instead. Now, people are more open to less traditional things and willing to take risks."

One risk they might want to take is with Elvis Presley ornaments. Patterson adorned one of Bloomingdale's themed trees with Las Vegas specific ornaments, including a Las Vegas sign, Elvis glasses, his belt buckle and a slot machine.

"People are having fun with it," Abelman says of this season's style trends.

Pier 1 Imports carries traditionally themed holiday decor, says company stylist Aimee Beatty, but customers will find some playful items as well, such as leopard print safari jeep ornaments, multicolored stemware and beaded pillows.

While some of these ornaments and ideas will be new to consumers, it isn't to Paul Watson, director of the Las Vegas Design Center at World Market.

Industry insiders know that holiday themes go through cycles, appearing every few years, he says. This season, five themes seem to be prevalent: peacock, natural country, winter wonderland, candyland and traditional.

Though peacocks have nothing to do with the winter holidays, designers like to use the bird's features in Christmas decor, he says. Consumers may see tree ornaments made of peacock feathers and the bird's colors used on everything from ribbon and wrapping paper to holiday napkins and garland.

The natural country motif may be even more prevalent than the peacock, though, Watson says. This theme emphasizes handmade goods, natural items such as raffia as tinsel and garland, pine cones and berries, among other things.

The winter wonderland theme is one that consumers will see every year, Watson says. The colors are usually silver and white with accents of red, green or blue. These decorations are the bling of Christmas, always sparkling and shimmering but not in a flashy way.

"It's crisp, elegant and a little bit romantic," Watson says.

Most likely everyone who decorates is familiar with the candyland theme. The featured element of the motif is sweets: gingerbread men, gumdrops, ribbon candy.

Watson grew up with the traditional theme, which dominated the market until designers and retailers realized about 20 years ago that the demand for holiday decor was much bigger than Santa and Rudolph combined.

"Holiday decor today is bigger than it's ever been," Watson says. "It's become a big, big part of our lives."

People decorate their trees in mid-November when, in the past, holiday decorations didn't come out of storage until well after Thanksgiving. And stores bring out the seasonal items earlier every year. That wouldn't happen if people didn't want it and buy it, Watson says.

"I really think when you take a look at it, it's because it's emotional," Watson says. "These are challenging times, and Christmas is a happy time. We want to stretch it out."

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.