One of the happiest outcomes of attending Showcase, the annual trade fair of curated Irish products, is that I also get to shop Dublin’s robust retail scene. Brown Thomas is at the top of my must-see list. During Showcase, which takes place in mid-January each year, Valentine’s Day is always the … [Read more...]
Inspiration for Spring & Summer 2017
Ranging from as early as Valentine’s Day to the 4th of July, spring and summer not only contain seven notable holidays, but also lots of gift-and-card-giving occasions. Mother's Day is now the 2nd biggest gift-giving holiday, after Christmas. Father's Day is gaining ground with expenditures on dads … [Read more...]
My Little Cabbage
After decades of cartoon dogs, cats, bears and other forest creatures posing as loving couples on Valentine’s Day cards and wedding-anniversary greetings, it’s time to consider the charms of personified vegetables. Yes, we believe it’s Farm-to-greeting-card time with a lighthearted French-country … [Read more...]
Rethinking Valentine’s Day
Because it’s the third highest-grossing Holiday each year, it’s easy to continue to think of Valentine’s Day as it has been for centuries: a special day for couples in love. But there are some demographics The Trend Curve recommends you keep in mind before creating your next Valentine’s Day … [Read more...]
The Ever-Popular Popcorn
Ever since the first kernel of maize exploded into a white puff in North America some 5,000 years ago, popcorn has been a hit for both eating and décor! Most people don't realize it, but there are actually three distinct types of corn. There's sweet corn for eating, field corn for feeding to … [Read more...]
It’s Complicated for 2017
Valentine’s Day has always been the best time for paper dollies and layered-paper or die-cut greeting cards. In 2017 we'll see paper stretch into newer applications. Think about decorative pendant garlands and dimensional, corrugated cardboard hearts and messages, like XOXO, as seen in G!'s Light Up … [Read more...]
Love and Spring go Hand-in-Hand
Consumers rely on holidays to inspire season layers that enhance their everyday décor. Now that all the Christmas decorations are safely boxed up, thoughts of Valentine’s Day are offering a bright spot in the face of wintery weather. Spring may not officially begin until March, but lots of … [Read more...]