It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The nights are colder, the pints are cosier, and your pub has the chance to transform into the ultimate festive haven. Whether your customers are popping in for a mulled wine or staying for an evening of carols and cheer, your decorations can make all the difference in creating that magical Christmas atmosphere. So, pull out the tinsel, untangle those fairy lights, and let’s turn your pub into a wonderland of holiday cheer.
Here’s our Capcon team’s guide to making your pub the most Christmassy spot in town – guaranteed to have customers raising a glass (or two) to your holiday spirit.
- Go Big on the Christmas Tree
Every Christmassy pub needs a show-stopping centrepiece, and nothing screams festive joy like a well-decorated Christmas tree. Whether you’re aiming for rustic charm with traditional baubles or an extravagant, glitter-filled masterpiece, your tree is a prime photo op for customers.
- Tip: Place your tree in a spot where it’s visible but doesn’t block foot traffic—like near the fireplace or in a cosy corner.
- Pro Move: Add branded ornaments or small items from local businesses to support the community.
- Make Your Fireplace the Heart of the Pub
If your pub is lucky enough to have a fireplace, don’t let it sit undecorated. A roaring fire paired with a beautifully dressed mantelpiece is a guaranteed way to spread Christmas cheer.
- Dress It Up: Think garlands, stockings, candles, or even twinkling fairy lights.
- The Extra Touch: Hang a chalkboard above the mantel with a festive quote like, “Baby, it’s cold outside… Warm up with mulled wine!”
- Fairy Lights Everywhere
Twinkling fairy lights are the backbone of any festive decorating plan. They create a warm, magical glow that invites customers to settle in for an evening of merriment.
- Where to Hang Them: Drape lights across windows, beams, bar tops, and even around outside seating areas to catch the attention of passers-by.
- Eco-Friendly Option: Use LED lights – they’re energy-efficient and long-lasting, perfect for the whole holiday season.
- Festive Table Settings
Give every table a touch of holiday magic to make your pub feel special. It doesn’t have to break the bank; a little creativity goes a long way.
- Ideas: Mini wreaths, candles in mason jars, or a sprinkle of faux snow with pinecones.
- Why It Works: Customers will love sitting at a thoughtfully decorated table – and it’ll make their Instagram stories even better!
- Bring the Outdoors In
Winter foliage adds a touch of elegance and that unmistakable scent of Christmas. Think holly, ivy, mistletoe, and even small pine trees.
- Decor Tip: Use greenery to create garlands for windows and doors or place sprigs in vases along the bar.
- Mistletoe Magic: Hang some mistletoe in strategic spots for those accidental festive kisses.
- Don’t Forget the Bar Area
Your bar is the heart of your pub, so give it the attention it deserves.
- Dress the Bar Top: Add festive runners, fairy lights, and jars of candy canes for customers to nibble on while they wait.
- Christmas Spirits: Offer festive-themed cocktails or warm drinks like mulled cider or spiced hot chocolate – and don’t forget to name them! (“Santa’s Tipple,” anyone?)
- Host a Wreath-Making Workshop or Christmas Market
Decorations are only part of the magic – get your customers involved by hosting events that bring the community together.
- Workshops: Set up a wreath-making evening with mulled wine and mince pies. Customers take home their creations, and your pub becomes the centre of their holiday plans.
- Mini Market: Invite local vendors to sell crafts or holiday treats for a Christmas market vibe.
- Get Outside Festive
Don’t let the inside of your pub steal all the glory – deck out the exterior too!
- Ideas: String lights around the entrance, add a festive wreath to your door, or install a mini Christmas tree outside.
- Make it Memorable: Create a festive photo backdrop outside with a Christmas sign and decorations to entice people to stop by (and tag you on social media).
- Festive Music and Smells
Creating a Christmassy vibe isn’t just about what customers see—it’s about what they hear and smell too.
- The Playlist: Play a mix of Christmas classics, upbeat tunes, and softer festive songs to suit the mood of your pub.
- Scents of the Season: Use candles, diffusers, or simmer pots with scents like cinnamon, orange, and pine to evoke warm Christmas memories.
- Plan a “12 Pints of Christmas” Theme
Engage customers with a festive drinks menu featuring holiday-themed specials. From mulled wines to spiced ales, your pub can become the place to try something new.
- Highlight It: Use blackboards or table menus to promote your “12 Pints of Christmas” specials, and consider offering a loyalty card for trying them all (responsibly, of course!).
Wrap It All Up
The holidays are all about bringing people together – and your pub can be the go-to place for festive fun. From dazzling lights to cosy corners, it’s the little touches that will keep your customers coming back all season long.
So, don your Santa hat, string up those lights, and let your pub shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose. After all, nothing spreads Christmas cheer quite like a warm pint in a beautifully decorated pub. Cheers to a merry and profitable holiday season!
Oh, and don’t forget to find out about Capcon’s services to the hospitality sector and how we can help you and your business this Festive Season and beyond! Ho ho ho!
