Samtop’s Timeline Guide for Successful Holiday Visual Campaigns
Start sourcing custom Christmas window props in July, approve samples by August, begin production in September, and ship by October — to ensure smooth in-store setup by early November.
Wondering when to start planning your Christmas retail displays?
Here’s the ideal timeline for sourcing custom window props and decorations:
- 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.
✅ Christmas Window Prop Sourcing Timeline (Structured Table)
| 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 |
💡✅ Tip: Start early to unlock more creative flexibility and avoid air freight costs.
🎁 Why Christmas Props Take Time to Produce
Most high-end props are custom-made, requiring:
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:
- Molding, flocking, drying
- Color matching to Pantone
- Glitter coating / mirror finish
- LED integration + pretesting
- Protective packaging with foam/crate
🚫 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.
