Time is running short on April's Free Delivery Promotion! Order Today!

Free Delivery on Any New Custom Banner Order Placed Prior to 04/30/2012!

Call for details: 1.877.369.6332

http://www.downtowndecorations.com/spring2012bannersale

Quick Best Pracitces Guide to Help Determine What Size Banner is Most Appropriate for You

First things first: you’ll need to choose your material. One common material is opaque vinyl, which can be printed on at a high resolution (up to 720 DPI) and may be treated with a clear coat to resist scratches and UV rays. Another preferred material option for light pole banners is acrylic marine fabric (the same fabric used on boat coverings and awnings). Acrylic marine fabric also known as Sunbrella, comes in a variety of colors, and it’s resistant to water, mildew, and fading.

Next, you will want to examine the size of your mounting fixture and assess what size banner is most appropriate. Take a look at the chart below to get an idea of how letter size affects its viewing distance. Obviously, for better readability, you’ll want a bigger letter size, and therefore a bigger banner. However, you should resist the impulse to just use the biggest banner possible. The bigger the banner, the more secure it will have to be rigged/fastened to a light pole – sometimes requiring more robust mounting hardware. Environmental factors like wind, obstructing power lines, and local ordinances have the potential to steer your decision.

Letter Height (Inches)	Distance For Best Impact (Feet)	Maximum Readable Distance (Feet)
3”	30’	100’
4”	40’	150’
6”	60’	200’
8”	80’	350’
9”	90’	400’
10”	100’	450’
12”	120’	525’
15”	150’	630’
18”	180’	750’
24”	240’	1,000’
30”	300’	1,250’
36”	360’	1,500’
42”	420’	1,750’
48”	480’	2,000’
54”	540’	2,250’
60”	600’	2,500’

Wishing a fun and safe holiday weekend to all of our clients, friends, contacts and their loved ones!

Don't forget to check out the 2012 Spring - Giant Tree Sale with Deep Spring Savings!

http://www.downtowndecorations.com/gianttreesale2012

Have you put up your Spring Banners?

Click to enlarge

An exceptionally pleased client sent along this pic of their newly installed banners. Great eye catching design created complimentary by the expert in-house artists at Downtown Decorations, with a focus on seasonal branding.

Not just a beautiful picture - While the picture and banners themselves are quite stunning - the true beauty of this picture is that epitomizes the old line "a picture is worth a thousand words". From concept through creation - Downtown Decorations works with the client to develop clear goals, objectives, and preferences to create a unique one-of-a-kind custom design that is sure to please the eye and meet the budget.

Following the design phase - Downtown Decorations produced the custom banners in record time (typical lead time on custom banners is approx. 3 weeks) and further assisted in the implementation and installation of the banners by providing specific and detailed instructions as well as complimentary phone support (rarely taken advantage of as a result of ease of installation - however happily provided with each and every order).

As stated earlier - this is a great picture for many reasons - the banner installation was completed flawlessly and quickly. Banners appear taught and well mounted!

Contact Downtown Decoration at: 1.877.369.6332 to learn more or get started on a new banner project!

President Ted Peterson to Exhibit at Booth #302 at National Main Street Conf. Baltimore - April 1-4, 2012

Stop by and say hello to Downtown Decorations President Ted Peterson. Ted will be exhibiting at Booth #302 at the National Main Street Conference in Baltimore, MD from April 01-04!

Ted would not only enjoy the opportunity to meet with you and discuss all things Banners and Decor, but also Ted acts as a thought and industry leader with over 20 years of executive experience working in the industry - feel free to pick his brain, ask any questions, or bounce any ideas you have off of an experienced ear!

Make a Great First Impression with Banners!

We thoroughly enjoyed helping our friends at Clarkson University in designing, producing, and implementing such a visually stunning banner program. Could you even imagine the pictures/campus below without the banners?

Proud Friend of Downtown Decorations in Borneo - We love your t-shirt!

Giant Tree Sale - Exclusive Discounts - Now through March 31, 2012 - Contact Today for Details

Booth #141 - ICSC Mid-Atlantic Deal Makers - National Harbor - Feb 21-22

We are pleased to announce that Downtown Decoration's Director of Project Management, Tom Martin will be exhibiting at the ICSC Mid-Atlantic Dealmakers show at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, MD (South of DC proper). Stop by booth #141 to say hello to Tom and discuss anything and everything that is related commercial decoration and banners.

Happy Valentines Day! We LOVE you!

Presenting Rooftop Lighting of the Rosslyn Virginia Skyline During Holiday Season 2012 - Project Completed in Conjunction with Rosslyn VA BID and Downtown Decorations, Inc.

So, when we dispatched a nationwide network of photographers to capture some of our favorite and most custom decor projects of 2011 - we never thought we would get back some of the shots that we did. Included top among this list is a set of photos we shot while attempting to get a perspective view of the rooftop skyline of Rosslyn, VA where Downtown Decorations, Inc. partnered with Rosslyn, Virginia Business Improvement District to provide roof-line lighting for the high rises within the district.

Thank you to Abbie Rufener for capturing these spectacular shots of the skyline looking over the Potomac, as evening quickly turns to dusk. Some very frame worthy pictures. Thanks again Abbie!

Only downfall - our skyline is only part of these beautiful pictures - the eye tends to wander to the breathtaking reflection on the water - look closely and you will see an exquisite rooftop lighting extending throughout the metro region.  

So, where the heck have you been?

So - We are sure that some of our more observant followers have noticed that we have been a bit absent since the holidays. Well, we haven't been slacking or playing hooky... We have had over 50+ hrs of executive planning sessions, 80+ hrs of creative workshop/brainstorming sessions, 50+ hrs of vendor/product related analysis, and over 24+ hrs of full staff meetings - pfeww - we are exhausted. But, the course for 2012 has been set and we are eager to implement a number of changes, design concepts, new products, and new processes to make a huge splash in the 2012 holiday season.

The Downtown Decorations experience will be better than ever as we have added extra support staff and additional project managers to ensure that ANY project no matter how big or how small receives absolute white glove treatment. At Downtown Decorations - the customer is the #1 focus!

Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Twitter Sites to see the latest and greatest as well as see more of the humorous side of DDI:

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DowntownDecorations

Twitter: https://twitter.com//DtDecorations

February 2012 Sales and Promotions From Downtown Decorations

Check out the latest and greatest sales and promotions for February 2012!

Giant Tree Sale "Highest Quality Trees at Unbeatable Prices": http://www.downtowndecorations.com/GiantTreeSale2012

Check out the sale page: Post-Holiday "Best Savings of the Year Sale":
http://www.downtowndecorations.com/PostHolidaySale2012

The 2011 Holiday Season is Over :(

Presents have been exchanged, dinners cooked, waistlines expanded...its true - the 2011 holiday season is officially over.

Other than lots of leftover ham and about 10 extra pounds, we are left with many great memories of the 2011 holiday season. Hundreds of new clients, some very exciting custom flagship decor products, and many, many laughs along the way - 2011 was good to all of us and we are excited about the prospect of 2012.

Over the next few months the team at Downtown Decorations will be on the road going to trade shows, round tables, lectures, circuits, sourcing new products/vendors, developing new design concepts, and meeting with our most important contacts - our clients.

Stay tuned...we will keep you updated along the way showing pictures of our travels, articles acquired along the way, new products/concepts/designed, etc, etc...

For the interim - check back frequently as we will be posting many pictures from the 2011 holiday decor season - actual pictures taken by some of our extremely happy clients, as well as some professionally dispatched photography!

On behalf of the entire Downtown Decorations team - we would like to thank all of you for your continued support, dedication, business, and interest. If we can be of any assistance at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us. Wishing a very happy, prosperous, and safe 2012.

~ Downtown Decorations Team

Downtown Decorations, Inc. Donates Giant Wreath to US Air Force in Afghanistan

We couldn't be more excited to show off this picture - it truly is our favorite gift of the holiday season. This year, Downtown Decorations, Inc. donated a giant 6ft lit and decorated wreath alongside other decorations to the men and women of the 908th Expeditionary Force of the US Air Force. The wreath was shipped to Fort Bragg, CA and then went directly to the base in Afghanistan. Thank you to all of our men and women in uniform that are allowing all of us to celebrate a safe and joyous holiday.

Check out the photo and press release below:

SYRACUSE COMPANY DONATES DECORATIONS TO TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

National Holiday Décor Company Headquartered in Syracuse Brings Holiday Cheer to Air Force Members Stationed in Afghanistan

For the past 5 years Downtown Decorations, Inc, a Syracuse based commercial holiday decoration company, has been giving back during the holiday season – particularly to the men and women in uniform serving overseas. This year, Downtown Decorations was pleased to provide the men and women of the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, the flight wing that flies the massive KC-10 airborne refueling tankers, some very much needed holiday decorations. On December 15, 2011 a shipment of holiday decorations including the flagship item: a 6ft lit, and decorated, giant artificial wreath took off from Syracuse, NY stopping first to be consolidated at Fort Bragg, CA, prior to reaching its final destination of Kabul, Afghanistan.

This year was particularly special to Downtown Decorations as they were able to donate decorations to a squadron that has recently come under command of a close family friend to the Peterson family, owners of Downtown Decorations, Inc. Company President Ted Peterson says, “This year was particularly tough in deciding where and who exactly to donate to. A young man that was best friends with my son growing up and through the years is now serving in Afghanistan – it’s like having a son over there. […] giving back is something we have always placed a great deal of importance on – these men and women bravely risk their lives, and sacrifice time away from their friends and family to protect our nation, and our values – providing them some comfort during the holidays it the absolute least that we can do.”

Noteworthy national clients include: US Army, See’s Candy, Pyramid Management, General Growth Properties, Simon Property Group, City of Los Angeles, CA, City of Augusta, GA, City of Stamford, CT, City of Anchorage, AK, City of Oklahoma City, OK, City of Columbus, OH, City of Providence, RI, Tanger Outlets, and the Government of the Turks and Caicos.

Other noteworthy décor projects locally include: Destiny USA, The giant 12ft wreath hung annually on the front of University hospital, décor at University Hospital, décor at Golisano Children’s Hospital, décor at Community General Hospital, and décor at the CNY Philanthropic Society, Village of North Syracuse, Village of Manlius, and the Village of Baldwinsville.

Noteworthy local banner clients include: Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Onondaga Community College, Village of Cicero, and the Valley Historic Society.

Attached picture depicting the members of the 908^th Expeditionary Squadron around the donated wreath from Downtown Decorations is sole property of Downtown Decorations, Inc. Downtown Decorations, Inc. grants explicit permission for use of this press release and photo in all publications.

About Downtown Decorations:  Downtown Decorations, Inc. is a leading national provider of commercial and municipal holiday decorations as well as light pole banners. Incorporated in 2003, Downtown Decorations is a private corporation headquartered in Syracuse, NY globally serving municipalities, retail centers, universities, corporations, hotels, casinos and event venues.

"Before" photos of a recently completed Decor Consultation - Check back in Dec. 2012 for the "after" shots

Step 1 to a Successful Decor Program: Expert Consultation

Each year we sell tens of thousands of products and packages to thousands of customers around the US and the globe. However, the sale is actually one of the final steps in a much longer, strategic process that requires the skilled expertise of industry leading sales and design consultants.

Of course, if you need 200 blue LED bulbs or 1 14ft artificial Christmas tree or even 26 12ft tall fiberglass nutcrackers for the front of your office building - we are here to help. But, where what we really love to do it to put our expertise and trend leading reputation to work. Our designers and graphic artists are literally the best in the industry - they have been specifically recruited for their vision, experience, and reputations. In fact - the majority of commercial and municipal holiday decorations you see in the nation's cities and shopping malls have been designed by the experts that work at Downtown Decorations. As such, we pride ourselves in providing a unique service - absolutely and completely free of charge - comprehensive design consultation. As part of the consultation process we will:

• Analyze your current decor
• Discuss decor you have implemented in the past
• Discuss your objectives
• SWOT analysis of your venue in terms of decor implementation and impact
• Discuss your goals (fiscal, impact, visual, PR, etc...)
• Discuss and review your demographics and their expectations
• Discuss and review tourism as applied to your location
• Discuss and analyze your budget to allow for proper suggestions
• Discuss trending products
• Discuss services to accompany current decor items and future suggested decor items 

So, as we had said - we are more than happy to sell you exactly 250ft of light line - but our true talents are our abilities to provide you with a custom decor solution that not only meets your needs and preferences but also your budget - all the time - shattering your expectations.

We look forward to providing you outstanding expert decor consultation!

Calhoun, Georgia Sphere Tree by Downtown Decorations

Perhaps one of our most creative and unique decor items of 2011. Congratulations to Calhoun, GA on their purchase - the tree is beautiful! If you are in the South East US or are traveling through Georgia this holiday - swing by the court house to see the tree - stunning both day and night!

Check out the article in the Calhoun Times: http://www.calhountimes.com/view/full_story/16779597/article-New-downtown-tree-resembles-one-in-Dublin?

Stunning Sphere Tree

Check out this years quickest growing trend in Christmas Trees. Called a "Sphere Tree" these trees are just as much as an artistic sculpture as they are Christmas Trees. Stunning during both day and night - the Sphere Tree is the perfect choice for anyone looking to provide an extremely unique and noteworthy look to their venue.

Contact Downtown Decorations for more details on creating a custom "Sphere Tree" for your venue!

12ft Giant Wreath - Finished, installed, and in Action!

So, remember the other day - a few posts down - we put up some pictures of the initial assembly of a 12ft giant wreath? Well as promised - here is the final, installed, 12ft giant wreath adorning the front entrance to one of the US's largest grocery retailers. We always enjoy working with the committed, passionate, and caring team at Wegmans Foods.

7 Christmas Inventions and Their Surprising Origins

7 Christmas Inventions and their Surprising Origins

By Ilya Leybovich

Have you ever wondered where Christmas lights, candy canes and other holiday mainstays originated?

Here we look at the history of some of the most enduring holiday-season inventions.

Some of our favorite holiday products, from decorations to toys, have surprising origins. Ever wondered where tinsel comes from (and why we drape it over trees)? Or have you ever asked yourself when people started to wrap their presents in paper? Learn the history of these and other interesting holiday inventions.

Where Christmas Lights Come From

People first began putting lights on their Christmas trees in the 17th century by attaching small candles to the branches using wax or pins, according to the Great Idea Finder. As a result, most people didn't put up their lights until Christmas Eve due to the risk of fire. The first electric Christmas lights were developed by Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison's, in 1882. Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white and blue lights and wrapped them around a rotating evergreen.
In the 1900s, department stores began using elaborate Christmas tree light displays to attract customers, but the practice wasn't popularized domestically until 15-year-old Albert Sadacca, whose family produced novelty illuminated birds, started selling multicolored lights that were already strung together in response to a tragic fire in 1917 caused by lit candles. Sadacca's business, the NOMA Electric Company, went on to become the world's largest Christmas lighting company until 1965.

The Story of Tinsel

Tinsel, the thin sparkling strands we drape over Christmas trees, first appeared in Germany around 1610 and were originally thin strips of material extruded from real silver. According to WiseGeek.com, silver looked good but tarnished quickly and was soon replaced by other sparkly metals. Tinsel was first placed on Christmas trees to accentuate the glow of lit candles, and only the wealthiest people could afford entire garlands.
Advances in manufacturing eventually resulted in cheaper aluminum-based tinsel, and by the early 20th century most consumers could afford tinsel garlands, as well as individual pieces of tinsel known as icicles. By the 1950s, the use of tinsel garlands and icicles nearly overshadowed the use of Christmas lights.

The Delicious Origins of the Candy Cane

Although there are numerous legends about the origins of the candy cane as a religious symbol, the first historical mention of this holiday treat came from Germany in 1670, when a choirmaster bent sugar sticks into the shape of a shepherd's cane to hand out to children, according to the Great Idea Finder. The first reference to candy canes in America was in 1847, when a German-Swedish immigrant in Ohio used them to decorate a spruce.
The original canes were entirely white, and it wasn't until the 20th century that the colorful red stripes were added. In the 1920s, cracker businessman Bob McCormack began making candy canes as Christmas treats for the community in Albany, Georgia, pulling, twisting, cutting and bending them by hand. In the 1950s, McCormack's brother-in-law invented a machine to automate the process. Later, McCormack's descendants developed packaging advances that enabled them to ship the fragile canes around the world and turned their company, Bobs Candies Inc., into the world's largest candy cane producer.

Adhesive Tape and Wrapping Paper

In 1923, while working at 3M, inventor Richard Drew developed one of the most practical items for the office, home and holiday season: adhesive tape. According to MIT's Inventor of the Week archive, the first prototype had adhesive on the sides but not down the middle, and when it fell off a car in a trial run, a frustrated worker told Drew, "Take this tape back to those Scotch bosses of yours and tell them to put more adhesive on it!" The name stuck, and Scotch Tape — the world's first transparent tape, made with resins, rubber and oil — was born.
According to entrepreneurial blog Biz in a Boxx, people have been wrapping gifts since paper was first invented circa 105 A.D., but the practice didn't become popular until around the 1920s. Before then, gifts were typically wrapped in tissue paper or plain brown paper until printing technology improved and paper could be colored, decorated and folded in mass volumes. Hy-Sill Manufacturing Inc. was the first U.S. gift-wrapping company. Hallmark entered the market in 1917, selling large pieces of wrapping paper for $0.10 a sheet.

The Truth Behind Rudolph

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer wasn't part of Santa's original sleigh-driving team. In fact, he isn't mentioned in Christmas folklore at all. Rudolph was actually invented in 1939 by a Montgomery Ward copywriter named Robert May who was tasked with creating a Christmas story the department store chain could give away to customers as a promotion, according to Snopes.com. Drawing on elements from the "Ugly Ducking" fable and his own experiences as a child, May crafted a story about a misfit with a glowing red nose who manages to prove himself to his peers. After considering names like Rollo and Reginald, May finally settled on Rudolph.
Millions of copies of the Rudolph story sold in the 1940s, and May eventually secured the character's copyright for himself, producing a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer cartoon, a bestselling song and a television special that remains a perennial favorite. However, the story familiar to us today is slightly different from May's original version, in which Rudolph grew up in a reindeer village rather than the North Pole, had a loving family and was discovered when Santa Claus came to drop off gifts at his home.

History of the BB Gun

The 1983 film classic A Christmas Story revolves around Ralphie Parker's mission to obtain the elusive Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun. The BB gun, or air rifle, has remained a rite of passage for generations of kids, but its history is somewhat surprising: it originated at a windmill. In 1886, the Plymouth Iron Wind Mill Company in Michigan was struggling to convince farmers to switch from wooden windmills to an iron alternative. According to InventHelp.com, inventor Clarence Hamilton created the first air-powered rifle for the company to distribute as an incentive to purchase their windmills. An odd thing happened — the giveaway, a gun known as the Daisy Rifle, proved more popular than the windmill. As windmill sales declined, demand for BB guns skyrocketed. By 1889, the Plymouth Iron Wind Mill Company changed its name to Daisy Manufacturing Company and began manufacturing and selling BB guns full time. Decades later, children like Ralphie Parker were still pining for their very first air rifle.

Published on 12/14/2010 by IMT on Thomasnet, http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2010/12/the-origins-of-7-holiday-inventions.html?WT.mc_t=nlimt&WT.mc_n=124&channel=email

Serving those, that serve us all!

When we were contacted by a large fire department in New York State, we knew that we had to do everything that we could to assist them. Bravely and courageously serving us day in and day out, it was our pleasure to provide them with a completely custom designed and produced holiday display. Check out Santa with his reindeer in this stunning holiday display.

Another Happy Client in Texas - let us know if you recognize!

Can you name the center? Showcasing some great interior banner decor for one of the NE's largest and most popular malls...

Some great interior decor banner shots from a local mall and very happy client - can you name the center?