'Always keep your eyes open'

Floral designer Hanneke Frankema likes to make her own bases and, if possible, use them multiple times. 'Christmas comes back every year, certain materials give - by using them slightly differently - a nice twist to the
Christmas arrangements. For this Christmas special of DPK, I created a lot of commercial ideas.'

'My motto is: Always keep your eyes open. For example, in a
store a kind of metal tray with a mirror. Removing the mirror left decorative gold rings. With a frame of pokes underneath, an ideal base for bouquets was created. But you can also place this base beautifully on a tray with loose flowers incorporated between them.'

'Every year you come across bags full of pine cones. Often they are used as cheap filler in Christmas arrangements but this time I incorporated them into a wreath shape. This gives a robust look that combines beautifully with other natural materials. It's useful anyway to think about bases that you can make far in advance and to which only a few fresh materials need to be added before they go into the store.'

'Beautiful details, which are relatively inexpensive and quick to create, can also make a difference. Think of incorporating matching baubles or handmade stars from aluminum wire. I also really like simple solutions like Kalanchoe leaves that complete the look. And yes, so always keep your eyes open.'

Luxury in harmony with nature

In the theme Luxury in harmony with nature, connection with nature plays a leading role. The arrangers have chosen mostly traditional techniques and natural materials. The appearance is that of grandeur and exclusivity. Festive yet understated. Serene but also cozy and warm.

Sparkling Christmas

Whether you go for an expressive eye-catcher or a rustic and subdued Christmas arrangement: Christmas anno 2023 sparkles! Perhaps it has to do with the zeitgeist that makes people feel the need for coziness, a beautifully decorated table, a warm home. A spectacular eye-catcher in the store is therefore really recommended. The enchantment that comes with Christmas then already starts with a few eye-catchers in the flower store.

'Working ahead saves a lot of stress'

Floral designer Hanneke Frankema knows better than anyone how busy the run-up period to Christmas can be for florists. You had better be well prepared for Christmas. It is very handy to make a large number of bases in the quiet hours, for example in the summer. Make it so that all you have to do is add a few fresh flowers - although dried flowers are still fine too. If something sells you can then quickly grab a new ground from the stock, hop a single fresh flower in and sell it again.'

'So when making the arrangements for this edition of DPK, I looked closely at fun solutions for beautiful bases for winter and Christmas that can be prepared easily and quickly. Like tea light holders that you can pimp and trendy circles with lots of dried and repaired materials. Also, the appeal of a group of arrangements in different sizes (and prices) is great. Mass is checkout.

'Working ahead saves many overtime hours and a lot of stress during busy days. And, substrates are also super fun to make - I think!'

'This time we must 'seize' in full'

Florist Alex Aalders runs a flower store in Assen. 'I grew up with a father who was into 'gardens', so flowers came my way at an early age. In terms of inspiration I get a lot from creative colleagues, I like to visit trade events, and look at trade magazines, but also architecture, fashion and vacations, bring inspiration. A regular comment I hear is that there are too big and too expensive arrangements in trade magazines - but I always think, you have to get inspiration from them, don't want to copy them.'

'Due to circumstances, Christmas doesn't mean that much to me privately. But, for the store it is of course a super creative and especially colorful time. This is a time we have to 'grab' in full - but on Christmas Eve I'm going to cocoon again.'

'It's hard to say which trends emerge, actually sustainability should be a trend, but yes, this time you sell a lot the wax amaryllis and colored branches. Personally I like Simplicity as a trend - simple in terms of layout and color, on the other hand I can also appreciate something super furry.'

'In every creation I put a piece of myself '

Florist Charlotte Bartholomé is always looking for new materials, shapes, colors and trends. She is passionate about her craft and exudes creativity and enthusiasm. She finds her greatest inspiration in nature. 'Yet for Christmas, I am tempted by traditional values. Christmas speaks in red-green colors and has its own language of shapes: stars, wreaths, little trees. Also Christmas greenery and typical Christmas decorations like Christmas balls, glitter, pine cones, Ilex berries you have to add to your end-of-year creations every year! The colors red, green and gold also guarantee atmosphere and coziness.'

'The great thing about a job as a florist is that you can make people happy. Flowers bring happiness, joy and atmosphere. During the end-of-year period, there is a large selection of greenery and decorative materials, as well as special winter flowers. There are also many different things to do: create bouquets for the store, decorate shop windows, decorate winter weddings, provide table decorations, decorate parties and events. In each creation I can express my creativity and put a piece of myself into it.