As we approach the end of our trading season, with December just around the corner (have you got your advent calendars ready?) I always take some time to reflect on what has sold well and not so well from our product range. There’s always some surprises and the biggest for me this year was past reliable best sellers not doing as well this year.
Bestsellers for 2024
I wish I’d bought more of these cute wooden countdowns as they sold consistently at markets, with the last one being snapped up at Wynyard Hall Christmas Market last weekend. I can understand why they were so popular.
We only had a few of these musical trees in stock, but they flew off the stall at our first event.
Metal signs have been a slow burner until Wynyard, when we sold out of this gingerbread bakery sign and almost sold out of the Good things come to those who bake sign. I’m thrilled they have found new homes!
Ok, so this is a sneaky addition to the list as we only had four and I’ve kept one for myself, but these bells were very popular. I still have a white one available.
Big surprises this year
Our larger festive glass tractors have not sold well and I have quite a few still in stock. I suppose that means I don’t need to reorder for 2025 but still….
A consistent bestseller, our range of glass character baubles have been a slow burner in 2024 which is very unusual. Along with the glass trees, they are usually snapped up at every market but this year we still have quite a few left. The glass trees have been more popular online this year.
New market
Well, sort of. We have been to Hovingham a few times with our stationery business but in December we are bringing our Christmas decorations as well. This is one of a handful of markets we have left in 2024, but we will be sending out online orders every working day until the last posting dates, so please don’t miss out!
Plans for 2025
So, we get a short break over the festive period and then January sees us heading off to the trade fair to choose stock for 2025. As things stand it will be a smaller order than this year unless I get carried away again. I do find it very hard to be level headed and not let my heart/love of all things Christmas take over. However as 2024 has been a difficult year for various reasons I need to be sensible as we simply don’t have the space to be adding a lot of new Christmas decorations to the stock room. Running a small business is tough for many reasons but the biggest challenge I have is cash flow, particularly because we are seasonal.
I can’t wait to show you what we find for 2025, but in the meantime you can visit us at Crayke Village Market this weekend, Hovingham Village Market next weekend and then Bowes Museum and Sheriff Hutton Village Markets the weekend after.
