Confessions of a Christmas Elf

“Keeping up with the Joneses” took on a new meaning in the early 1980s as many businesses began tightening their money belts. As a conceptual designer in seasonal art, I knew this “keeping up with the Jones” mentality would present new creative opportunities for the developers, property management firms and banks who would eventually sign on as clients. While no business wanted to appear Scrooge-like to customers or employees – a healthy competition ensued between the building owners and property management companies – almost like school rivalries.

Christmas décor became my specialty.

As Charlotte’s business community grew, so did our client list, workload and stress level. Much of the design work produced for that season would be installed in a two-week window.

As the economy grew, clients embraced creativity, quality and uniqueness. When money flowed and business was about building relationships and trust, “seasonal art” replaced “holiday décor” as the new buzzwords for corporate decorating.

Each holiday season our group of Christmas elves assembled to fabricate and install our specialty and custom décor. As we decorated into the late hours of Thanksgiving weekends, we learned about efficiency, electricity and everyone’s life. We learned, too, what restaurants were open Thanksgiving Day because our brains were too full of sugarplums and white lights to enjoy breaking bread with friends and family. One year when asked a simple “How are you?” I launched into a laundry list of electrical puzzles, labor woes and the beauty of having a decorating plan come together. They said, “That’s nice.”

When office workers arrived Monday morning after Thanksgiving, the holidays had “magically” arrived. Exhausted from installing close to 21 properties, our group of Christmas elves started on our small office and home installations.

Every year a core group of elves returned to help and enjoy an update on our lives. While most of the elves helped professionally many still found time to decorate their own homes. These professional elves would excitedly report on all of the decorating tricks they learned each season.

As for me, I was like the cobbler’s kid who had no shoes. Eventually, there was no decorating for me nor getting caught up in gift overbuying for people who loved me. Incapable of going “Holiday Mad,” I had no time or creativity left. Friends and family who wanted me to “help” them with their décor eventually realized how burned out I was. Over time, as my guilt subsided, I saw the gift of this season. Unlike many people, there were no expectations of me; I could be me and people loved me anyway. The few gifts I did give were wrapped with florist foils and bedecked with custom clusters and expensive ribbons. Most would open the gift and then ask me to wrap the beautiful empty box again. Sometimes we even used the bows and clusters on their tree.

In the late 1990s, the economic indicators of being in a regional banking center hit. When economic fear arrives, creativity and consultants are the first to go. Unfortunately, as the economy took a downturn so did our client’s “seasonal art” budget. Rather than sacrifice creativity and my commitment to producing quality designs during corporate cutbacks, I took a much-needed break to regroup. Knowing that the economy is cyclical, I learned what elfin stuff I was made of. In defining myself by what I did well, conceptual design, I discovered my true values and beliefs.

The lesson here is this: hold on to your beliefs and values for these are your “gifts.” Giving of yourself for the right reasons will help prevent your own burnout. Whatever your passion, remember who you are, do it right and be true to you. Think of the small things that can make a difference and remember the “Confessions of a Christmas Elf” this season.

Some holiday decorating reminders:

• Calculate how many additional holiday lights your circuits can handle before you flip the switch.
• Are you using the correctly rated lighting sets and electrical cords?
• What hardware will you need to properly install your lights and other
• decorations and will the installation and take-down be quick and simple?
• If you choose to work with a professional designer at some point, consider the following:
• Can you both communicate ideas (a.k.a. “being on the same page”) and do you feel comfortable with them?
• Ask for professional references and call them.
• Ask to see their portfolio of other design productions.
• Do they have liability insurance?
• Gain a clear understanding of payment rates and terms. If it sounds too low – be cautious! Does it include dismantle?
• Discuss schedules and deadlines.
• Get it in writing.

Susan Martin, conceptual designer for 24 years, aspires to banish beige and invite clients to add color and creativity through theme development and intentional continuity of their image. Her consulting, seasonal art and design work for shopping centers, events, decor and interiors is through Susan Martin, Inc. Her design work has graced many of the area’s prominent corporate public spaces, including One Wachovia Center, Charlotte Plaza, and Morrocroft Village. Her conceptual strengths and visual merchandising experience create a total identity in the workplace for clients, incorporating color and design to add vitality and aid productivity. Attempting to help others change after experiencing many life altering changes herself, Susan developed CoCo Cheznaynay® SecretAgent of Truth & Style™ as a branding vehicle and a truth-seeking character who disperses CoCoCourage, wit and wisdom.