Samtop’s Timeline Guide for Successful Holiday Visual Campaigns
Wondering when to start planning your Christmas retail displays?
Here’s the ideal timeline for sourcing custom window props and decorations:
Table of Contents
- June–July → Concept planning, theme & sketches
- July–August → Quotation, material selection, design approval
- August → Sample production & approval
- Sept–Early Oct → Mass production (resin, LED, foam, fiberglass)
- October → Shipments by sea (30 days) or air (5–10 days)
- Early–Mid November → In-store setup before Black Friday
💡 Start early to unlock more design freedom and avoid air freight costs.
🎯 Introduction: Holiday Displays Don’t Wait for December
You walk past a boutique in early November…
There it is — glittering snowflakes, giant gift boxes, red & gold candy canes, shimmering lights.
What many people don’t see is this:
That Christmas window was planned 4–6 months earlier.
If you’re responsible for visual merchandising, one question matters:
👉 “When should I start sourcing Christmas window display props and decorations?”
At Samtop, we produce custom holiday props for global luxury brands — from candy sculptures to LED light arches and foam installations.
Here’s the ideal production timeline — and what risks you take if you start too late.
✅ Quick Answer: Start Planning in July, Finalize Orders by Early September
| Stage | Timeframe | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 🎨 Concept Planning | June–July | Moodboard, theme, sketches, references |
| 📐 Quotation & Design | July–August | Confirm size, materials, renderings |
| 🧪 Sample Approval | August | Color panel, print/logo tests |
| 🏭 Production | Sept–Early Oct | Resin, foam, fiberglass, LED work |
| 🚛 Shipping | October | Sea: 30–40 days; Air: 5–10 days |
| 🎄 In-Store Setup | Early–Mid November | Global rollout done before Black Friday |
💡 Early planning gives you more creative options and better cost control.
🎁 Why Christmas Props Take Time to Produce
Custom holiday displays are rarely “off-the-shelf.”
They often involve:
- 🧊 Fiberglass sculptures (trees, reindeer, sleighs)
- 🍭 Foam props (candy canes, stars, snowmen)
- 💡 LED signage / arches / bases
- 💎 Mirror acrylic snowflakes or ornaments
- 🌸 Paper flower walls in festive colors
- 🎁 Luxury gift boxes with logo print / UV ribbon
Each one takes time to:
- Mold, shape, and dry
- Match Pantone finish
- Spray/coat, flock, or glitter
- Assemble & QC
- Pack safely for shipping
🚫 What Happens If You Start Too Late?
| Risk | What Happens |
|---|---|
| ❌ Material limits | No chrome / mirror / velvet finishes |
| ❌ No sampling time | Wrong logo size, color, texture surprises |
| ❌ Missed factory slot | Others already booked for Christmas |
| ❌ Expensive logistics | Forced to ship by air ($$$) |
| ❌ Miss Black Friday | Sales window shrinks |
💡 The earlier you book your slot, the more stable your rollout.
📦 Smart Brands Use Staggered Sourcing Plans
| Market | Recommended Ship | Planning Start |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 North America | Mid October | July |
| 🇪🇺 Europe | Late October | July |
| 🇭🇰 Asia / Duty Free | Early November | August |
| 🇫🇷 Flagship Boutiques | Early–Mid Nov | June |
| 🎄 Holiday Pop-ups | Early Nov | August |
🧠 Want to reuse last year’s prop frame? Ask us to re-coat it with new themes.
🧠 Samtop’s Holiday Display Capabilities
We support you with:
- 🎨 Creative support based on theme or previous years
- 💡 Material selection: resin, foam, PET, MDF, fiberglass
- 🧪 Sample production for finish approval
- 🧰 Modular structure for flat-pack logistics
- 📦 Wood crate / foam + label packaging
- 🚚 Shipping management per region/store
- 🔌 Optional: pre-built LED wiring with power adapters
🎯 Conclusion: Start Early, Shine Bright
Christmas is your highest-ROI season in retail — but also the most competitive.
You need to plan like a brand, execute like a factory, and deliver like a logistics company.
At Samtop, we help you:
✔️ Create premium holiday visuals
✔️ Deliver consistent quality across stores
✔️ Ship on time to multiple regions
✔️ Control cost through modular design
But it only works when we start early.
📩 Planning Your Holiday Campaign?
Let’s talk before summer ends.
Send us:
✅ Moodboard or sketch
✅ Store list & region
✅ Material preference
✅ Delivery month & budget range
📧 [email protected]
🌍 Explore past holiday displays
🎄 Let’s make your Christmas window unforgettable — and right on time.
