GAYNOR McSWITY, 38, is the senior visual merchandiser at House of Fraser in Manchester, one of the oldest department stores in the world. She is married to Peter and has a 17-month-old son, Eric
We first start thinking about ideas for
our Christmas decorations in August. While everyone else is on their summer holidays, you’ll find us eating mince pies and singing Jingle Bells to get us in the mood for the festive season! After all, we have got 40,000 baubles to put up around the store each year! “Santa’s grotto is always the highlight of the
store’s decorations. We try to make ours a little bit different every year. This year it has got a real Santa’s workshop feel to it, with a winding path leading right up to the door where you meet the main man himself. “We get people booking their kids in to see
Santa as early as September, and what’s really interesting is how often people who came to this store as a child with their parents now bring their own children to visit. They tell us they’ve never forgotten that first trip to see Santa and want to give the same magical memory to their own children. “Because things like this matter, I’m really
hands-on in creating the grotto. Getting it just right is so important and no detail is too small to consider – we often spend time shuffling around on our knees so we can get an idea of it all from a child’s perspective. “It’s really busy in the run-up to Christmas
because we constantly maintain the grotto so it always looks as good as it does on its first day. I personally love seeing all the children excitedly waiting to go in – it can be quite emotional. Then I see them coming out, chattering about what they’ve asked Santa for – and you see
their parents rolling their eyes, thinking about having to buy it all for them! “By Christmas Day I’m exhausted, but
the upside is I know what the hottest presents are that year for kids! Yes, Christmas is my busiest time but it’s also the best time of year. It’s what working in retail is all about – and after all, what other job would allow you to release your inner child and create a fun and magical time that others can enjoy?