Putting up a Christmas installation is only half the job. The weeks before peak season are when the difference between a good installation and a great one is decided, because that is when small problems get found and fixed while there is still time. This checklist covers what hotels and malls should work through before the busiest period begins.
Confirm the Basics
- Is the installation fully complete, with nothing still waiting to be delivered or finished?
- Is everything in the position shown in the approved concept?
- Are the dates for peak trading and removal confirmed with your installation team?
Walk the Guest Journey
Walk the property the way a guest does, from the entrance through the lobby, restaurants, lifts, and corridors. The goal is consistency. A striking lobby tree that is not matched anywhere else makes the rest of the property feel unfinished. This is why every hospitality project we design carries one concept through every public space, not just the entrance.
Test the Lighting
- Switch everything on in daylight and again in the evening, because lighting looks different in each
- Look for dark sections, flickering, and mismatched colour temperature
- Check timers so lights come on and go off when you want them to
- Replace failures now, not in the middle of the busiest week
Good lighting is also energy efficient lighting. Layered LED lighting gives depth without a large increase in running costs.
Run the Safety Checks
Safety checks are quick and matter a lot. Large trees and suspended features need stable bases and secure anchoring. Cables should be tidy and out of walkways. Exits and access routes must stay clear, and the building’s own rules on decorations still apply. For large installations in open areas, see how we approach public venue projects.
Check Placement and Sightlines
Stand where guests stand and look at each main piece. Is the tree visible from the entrance? Is anything blocking a door or a counter? Placement mistakes are easy to fix now and expensive to fix later. If the tree is the centrepiece of your scheme, our guide to choosing the right tree for a hotel lobby or mall atrium covers size and positioning in detail.
Prepare the Photo Moments
Guests will photograph and share your decor, so decide where you want them to do it. Pick one or two spots with good lighting, a clean background, and room for people to stand. Check them in the evening, because that is when most photos are taken.
Brief Your Staff
- Tell them what has been installed and where
- Give them one contact for problems, so a failed light does not turn into an email chain
- Make sure they can answer common guest questions about the decor
Check Access and Signage
Decorations should never get in the way of how people use the building. Make sure access routes stay clear for everyone, including guests with mobility needs and people with luggage or pushchairs. Check that decor is not hiding directional signs, fire exit signs, or wayfinding, and that anything near doors or lifts leaves enough room to pass comfortably.
Common Mistakes in the Final Weeks
- Assuming everything works because it worked on installation day
- Never checking the installation at night, when it is seen most
- Leaving upkeep to whoever happens to notice a problem
- Waiting until January to think about removal and storage
Plan Daily Upkeep
An installation looks best when someone looks after it. Assign a daily walk-through to check lights, tidy anything knocked out of place, and dust or wipe surfaces that get touched. A small daily routine keeps the installation looking the way it did on opening day for the whole season.
Plan for Removal Now
Removal is easier to plan before the rush than after it. Agree the date and the team now, and confirm how reusable pieces will be packed and stored. On our projects, our own team handles both installation and removal, so the pieces come down the way they were built.
Final Week Quick Checklist
- Installation complete and approved
- Lighting tested in daylight and at night
- Safety checks done, cables tidy, exits clear
- Photo moments chosen and checked
- Staff briefed, with one contact for issues
- Daily upkeep assigned
- Removal date agreed
Want a team that plans for all of this from the start? Request a concept proposal here or email collection@thexmasdesigners.com to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before peak season should an installation be finished?
Ideally a week or more before your busiest period, so there is time to fix lighting or placement issues before guests arrive.
How often should lights be checked during the season?
Check them daily in peak season. Fixing a failed section quickly keeps the installation looking complete.
Who should handle removal?
Ideally the team that installed it, since they know how each piece comes apart and how it should be stored. Our team handles removal on our projects.
Do large trees need special safety checks?
Yes. Large trees and suspended features need secure anchoring and stable bases, and the building’s own rules also apply.
