The various facets of sustainability were the focus of attention at the world's leading trade fair for seasonal and festive decorations this year. "Christmasworld 2023 has noticeably shown: Interest in sustainable solutions is clearly increasing - and so is the need for information. We want to continue promoting sustainability as a forward-looking theme in the coming years", says Eva Olbrich, Director of Christmasworld and Creativeworld.
The Ethical Style Spot provides both exhibitors and visitors with valuable inspiration for the point of sale and puts a spotlight on sustainability. Photo: Messe Frankfurt/Pietro Sutera
Sustainable inspiration for the POS: Ethical Style by Christmasworld
Ethical Style lists a selection of exhibitors with ethically or ecologically valuable products and offers buyers reliable orientation through the separate labeling of the selected exhibitors in the exhibitor and product search and on-site at the trade fair stands.
In 2023, a total of 41 exhibitors were awarded this label by an independent jury of experts. Companies such as Duni, Goldina, Lehner Wolle, Krinner, Peha Sneek, Hans Helmut Nitsche, Nastrificio Angelo Bolis, Steinart Kerzen, and Vers Deko are already on board. On the other hand, there was an Ethical Style Spot for the first time, which focused on the topic of sustainability on site. As part of this special presentation, trade visitors found a themed island with particularly sustainable exhibitor products. Whether gift ribbons made of organic cotton, vegan candles, Christmas tree stands made of recycled plastic, or light decorations for city centers made of biodegradable sugar cane: The companies are working on the topic of sustainability at various levels. Inge Glas, for example, has switched to environmentally friendly packaging made of recycled cardboard in 2022, which already saves 80 percent PVC. Through special editions, the company supports various environmental projects such as the Bergwald Projekt (mountain forest project) with the globe or the sea ball for the Manaia project.
Even when it comes to creative gift wrapping, there is no need to forego sustainability. The Italian manufacturer Nastrificio Angelo Bolis, for example, offers a variety of ribbons, bows, and papers made from TÜV-certified compostable materials in its Bolislife and PaperMade lines. The fact that they fit perfectly into several trends with their current designs and colors makes them all the more attractive to an environmentally conscious public.
Sustainable beauty - the Bolislife and PaperMade product lines from Nastrificio Angelo Bolis. Photo: Messe Frankfurt/Pietro Sutera
Christmasworld Trends 2023+: Nature as a great source of inspiration
The Christmasworld Trends 23+ trend area, staged by the trend bureau Bora.Herke.Palmisano was a strong crowd-puller at Christmasworld. The theme of sustainability was also in focus with natural, sustainable decorations. Calming nature_careful + pleasant opens up a calm product vitality in minimalism that is close to nature. These designs show a lively connection to nature and revolve around life cycles and transience, creativity, and sustainable thinking.
Innovation as a vision: Lehner Wolle offers 100% wholesome and sustainable quality products made of virgin sheep's wool that combine functionality and zeitgeist in a unique way. Photo: Messe Frankfurt/Pietro Sutera
In addition to handicrafts, natural materials such as sheep's wool are also on the way up. The Austrian market leader Lehner Wolle creates high-quality natural decorations for floristry from it under the Style-It brand. The tried and tested wax candle is also making a comeback: "Beeswax candles are increasingly in demand again, also from a younger audience," reports Norbert Hegenbart, Sales Manager at Gebr. Steinhart Wachswarenfabrik. "You can clearly see that people are more concerned with the issue of the environment and the resulting threat to bees."
Throughout the year, the online exhibitor search offers trade visitors the opportunity to filter suppliers according to special interest themes such as "Ethical Style by Christmasworld."
Christmasworld will continue to be held simultaneously with Ambiente and Creativeworld at the Frankfurt exhibition center:
- Christmasworld/Ambiente: 26 to 30 January 2024
- Creativeworld: 27 to 30 January 2024
For more information:
Christmasworld
www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com