The Look of Christmas Future

Items that bear the extraordinary stamp of Filipino creativity were highlighted in the participation of top local exporters of holiday décor and giftware at ChristmasWorld 2006 last January at the massive Inter-nationale Frankfurt Messe in Germany.

It was one big magical wonderland that made everyone feel like it was Christmas all the time, with breathtaking showcases of extraordinary products, from tableware, candles, flowers, garden articles, and lights to fireworks, party favors, and a variety of gift items. In short, everything one needs for a grand celebration.

Christmasworld is the world’s leading trade fair for festive occasions and celebrations, with over 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries, attracting an estimated 30,000 international buyers. Of course, the Philippines was there to show international buyers our unparalleled products.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) gathered eleven of the country’s top exporters: Balasi Export, Buena Mano Crafts, Inc., Craftsite Export Company, L&A Designs, Liman Designs, Magellan Manufacturers Marketing Corporation, Philippine Concorde Trading Corporation, Philippine Treasures, Inc., Sally’s Crafts, Sanport Craft International, and Sarilinlikha Novelties.

The DTI export promotions agency has been organizing participation in Christmasworld for the past four years in its bid to establish a presence in the global market as a leading supplier of holiday décor and giftware.

"Sales reached $2.62 million this year, a 59 percent increase from last year’s $1.64 million, and the participants received very good feedback from buyers from Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, and Japan," shares CITEM executive director Felicitas Agoncillo-Reyes. "This is definitely a good way to kick off our 2006 work program."

The extensive use of various natural and indigenous materials, which give products their unique appeal and added competitive edge, were major contributing factors. These include abaca, coconut, bamboo, raffia, sinamay, and capiz shells that were fashioned into candleholders, vases, and planters. Other materials used were wood shavings, broken glass, wire, and recycled paper. It was truly a showcase of creativity and innovation. Some of the best sellers included papier mache gift boxes, handcrafted wire trimmings and ornaments, nativity sets, and other gift items made of abaca, sinamay, and raffia.

"Although our products are priced at a premium, this didn’t stop buyers from ordering from us. There is obviously a huge market for design-driven, quality merchandise that is very different from the impersonal cookie-cutter look of lower-priced, mass-produced items offered by other countries," Agoncillo-Reyes shares.

Aside from exceptional sales, the participating companies brought home with them tons of new ideas and inspirations for Holiday 2007 trends. Lucy Canta, project manager of the Philippine participation, says that it was quite a feast for the senses. "With five halls, over 49,000 square meters of exhibition space, several special settings, and thousands of beautiful products, it was certainly an event that overflowed with creativity."

Gunnar Frank, one of Europe’s leading trend forecasters in home fashion, was the creative mastermind of the Christmasworld 2006 Trend Show. He showcased "three different worlds of color and atmosphere–Blue Magic, Green Spirit and Golden Glow–and created a link between Christmas and other seasons of the year."

Through his settings, Frank provided creative solutions to questions like: Does a Christmas tree ball match a summery garden table or will the blue silk fabric used in Easter go with the Christmas window decoration?

He explains that Blue Magic "is the link between classic Christmas and springtime festivals where the mood is dominated by tradition and classicism interpreted in cool materials, such as glitter, ice crystals, silver, chrome, mirror glass and steel, which are elaborately processed but are unadorned, ground, transparent, matt or lustrous."

Green Spirit links summer and modern Christmas characterized by unembellished modern shapes in glass, plastic, reed, rattan, silk and voluminous wool, all in a fresh, natural look. There were lots of lace, dainty silhouettes, geometric patterns, checks, flowers and leaves.

Golden Glow is the link between a golden autumn and a magical Christmas. It revolves around things fine and luxurious. And the choice of materials underscores this: leather, velvet, crocodile and tortoise are combined with brass, gold lamé and brocade.

Aside from these, Christmasworld presented several other elaborately staged special shows. One of them was "Flower Fantasy," which highlighted a number of sophisticated floral arrangements meant for high-end celebrations.

"Enchantment in Wood," a special presentation of Erzgebirgische Volkskunst, an organization of small, family-owned traditional handicraft firms located in the Ore Mountains of Germany, featured unique masterpieces using traditional techniques such as tree chipping and ring turning. "Porcellain-Ceramic goes X-mas" showcased a huge collection of festive tableware from renowned porcelain and ceramic suppliers.

CITEM is confident that its next participation in Christmasworld will bring even more good tidings to the country. And why wouldn’t it? The Philippines never fails to come up with beautiful and unique products, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary and whimsical, all of which bear the exceptional stamp of Filipino creativity. Besides, who can better show the world what Christmas and grand celebrations are all about but Filipinos who, after all, have the longest Christmas season in the world!