Shopping centers usually decorate five areas: the center court, the Santa set, the concourse ceilings, the entrances and the parking approach. The center court tree and the Santa set carry most of the budget, because they are where shoppers stop, queue and take photos. At our catalog prices, the three example programs further down this page come to $18,781.93 for a basic Santa set, $44,809.23 for a center court with a 14 foot decorated tower tree and an overhead ornament display, and $134,812 for a Santa house program, before freight.
Where decorations go in a shopping center
| Area |
What usually works |
| Center court |
A centerpiece tree, an overhead display above it, and walk-through or photo pieces around the base |
| Santa set |
A Santa chair or throne, a sleigh or Santa house, a backdrop, snow and a red carpet for the queue |
| Concourses and atriums |
Ornament drops, hanging snowflakes and skyline pieces that use ceiling height without blocking storefronts |
| Entrances |
Lit wreaths, garland and a photo arch or gift box display |
| Parking and approach roads |
Lit pole mounted decor on light poles, from $800 to $1,754.08 per piece |
Keep store signage and sightlines clear. Tenants pay for visibility, and a display that hides a storefront causes a problem the property manager will hear about.
The center court tree
Measure the ceiling and the floor first. Leave visible space above the tree and its topper, and keep room around the base for shoppers to pass and for a crowd at the tree lighting. The base of a tower tree widens as the tree gets taller, so the floor often decides the height before the ceiling does.
Three of our trees suit a center court:
- The Indoor Deluxe Pre-Decorated Tower Tree arrives with its ornamentation chosen, from $27,319.23 at 14 feet. A 16 foot tree with heavy ornamentation and a base surround is $39,012, and taller sizes are available.
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Crystal Branch Illuminated Trees are freestanding light trees on a metal frame, made in two sizes: 13 by 7 feet ($14,639) and 19 by 11 feet ($19,865). They can stand alone or take ornaments, indoors or outdoors.
- The Illuminated Twisted Ribbon Christmas Tree is a spiral of warm white lit ribbon, from $10,350 at 13.1 feet to $40,350 at 31.2 feet, for a contemporary look.
Our article on how tall a commercial Christmas tree should be covers sizing by venue.
The Santa set
The Santa set needs a seat for Santa, a setting behind him, and room for the queue.
- Santa chairs and thrones run from the Ornate Santa Chair and Foot Rest at $4,200 to the Royal Lux White and Gold Santa Chair at $12,005. The Wing Back Santa Chair ($5,520) is 60 inches high and 48 inches wide, with room for a family photo.
- The Kiana Santa Throne Sleigh ($18,550 in gold, $19,675 in red) seats several people and measures 10.1 by 4.9 by 5.2 feet.
- The 10 foot LED Santa Sleigh ($12,500) is built for indoor and outdoor use on a powder-coated aluminum frame.
- The Santa Gingerbread House ($77,250) has two entrances, so guests can move through it and be photographed inside and out. For a house built to your theme, see our custom Santa house service, which also covers crowd control.
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Santa's Red Carpet comes 3 feet wide in lengths from 10 feet ($285) to 25 feet ($712.50), and the Snow Blanket Roll ($191.93) is 24 inches by 90 feet of artificial snow described as flame retardant.
Plan the queue before choosing the pieces. The line needs a clear start and end, space that does not block store entrances, and a route out after the photo.
Photo displays
Shoppers photograph the mall's decor and share it, so photo pieces work as promotion as well as decoration.
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Giant Illuminated Gift Box Arches ($6,495), 10 feet tall, with a customizable gift tag for the center's name or message.
- The Merry and Bright Holiday Ivy Wall Backdrop ($15,880), an 8 by 8 foot ivy wall with lit lettering, a custom logo and a circular red carpet.
- The Season's Greetings Candy Cane Selfie Station, $5,195 at 8.2 feet and $10,605 at 11.4 feet.
- The 11 foot Giant Walk Through Ornament ($7,595) for indoor or outdoor displays.
Concourses and ceilings
Concourse decor has to use height without covering storefronts. Overhead decor covers that range, from single 8 foot ornament drops at $385 to $395 to the Silver Ornament Drop Ceiling Display ($10,995), which hangs eighteen 8 foot ornament drops and 36 strands of warm white LED lights from a 7 foot snowflake frame. Hanging snowflake chandeliers start at $2,090. Confirm which ceiling points can carry weight with property management before choosing anything that hangs.
What it costs at three levels
These examples use our catalog prices, updated automatically from the store, for the product only. Freight and installation are extra.
| Program |
Example pieces |
Product cost |
| Santa set |
Wing Back Santa Chair ($5,520), 10 ft LED Santa Sleigh ($12,500), 3 by 20 ft red carpet ($570), Snow Blanket Roll ($191.93) |
$18,781.93 |
| Center court |
14 ft Indoor Deluxe Pre-Decorated Tower Tree ($27,319.23), Silver Ornament Drop Ceiling Display ($10,995), Giant Illuminated Gift Box Arches ($6,495) |
$44,809.23 |
| Santa house program |
Santa Gingerbread House ($77,250), Kiana Santa Throne Sleigh ($18,550), 16 ft Indoor Deluxe tree with heavy ornamentation and base surround ($39,012) |
$134,812 |
Commercial decor is bought for several seasons. Our warranty covers five seasons on steel frames and garlands, three seasons on electrical wiring, and one season on other parts and accessories, excluding bulbs and strands. See how long commercial Christmas decorations last.
Installing in an open shopping center
- Plan installation for hours when the center is closed, and stage it so no area is left half finished during trading hours.
- Keep fire exits, store entrances and signage clear.
- Check fire safety requirements with property management or the local fire marshal, and ask us about fire retardant ratings: many of our foliage items and snow blankets carry a fire retardant rating, and we send the documentation on request.
- Know where power is available in the center court and at the Santa set, and keep cords out of walkways.
- Decide where the decor will be stored for the rest of the year before you buy it.
Installation may be available through our sister company, Studio 25 Decor, depending on project scope, budget, location and schedule.
When to order
In stock items can ship as quickly as the next business day. Pre-decorated garland, wreaths and trees typically ship in 2 to 6 weeks, and that window gets longer as the season approaches. Custom programs, including custom Santa houses, need 3 to 6 months. See when to order commercial Christmas decorations for the full calendar.
Buying for a shopping center
We work with property managers and procurement teams on purchase orders, vendor registration and the documentation they require. Most orders are paid up front. Municipalities and approved accounts can order on a purchase order, with payment due Net 30 after the order ships, and custom or made-to-order items may need a 50% deposit before production. We supply a W-9 and are registered on SAM.gov. The details are on how to buy from us. Larger orders can go through a formal quote for approval. Oversize decor ships by LTL freight, quoted for the specific order. Hotels have their own guide: Christmas decorations for hotels and resorts.
What to have ready before requesting a quote
- The areas you want to decorate: center court, Santa set, concourses, entrances, parking
- Ceiling height and floor space in the center court
- Photos of each area
- Where power is available
- Any fire safety requirements from property management or the local authority
- Your approximate budget and the date decor needs to be up
Send us your center's details
Common questions about shopping center Christmas decorations
What Christmas decorations does a shopping center need?
Most of the budget goes to the center court tree and the Santa set. Around them, add overhead decor in the concourses, wreaths and garland at the entrances, photo displays, and pole decor on the parking approach.
How much do mall Christmas decorations cost?
For product alone at our catalog prices, a Santa set with a chair, a 10 foot LED sleigh, a red carpet and snow comes to $18,781.93. A center court with a 14 foot decorated tower tree, an overhead ornament display and a gift box photo arch comes to $44,809.23. Freight and installation are extra.
What do you need for a mall Santa set?
A Santa chair or throne, a setting such as a sleigh, a Santa house or a backdrop, snow, and a red carpet to mark the queue. Our Santa chairs start at $4,200, and the red carpet comes in 10 to 25 foot lengths.
How big is a mall Santa chair?
Our Wing Back Santa Chair is 60 inches high, 48 inches wide and 36 inches deep, sized for Santa with a child or a family. The Kiana Santa Throne Sleigh seats several people and measures 10.1 by 4.9 by 5.2 feet.
What tree works for a mall center court?
Let the ceiling and the floor around the base decide the height. Our options include the Indoor Deluxe Pre-Decorated Tower Tree from 14 feet, Crystal Branch Illuminated Trees at 13 and 19 feet, and the Illuminated Twisted Ribbon Christmas Tree from 13.1 to 31.2 feet.
Can a Santa house be customized?
Yes. We design custom Santa houses around your theme, including the layout for crowd control. Allow 3 to 6 months for custom programs.
When should a shopping center order Christmas decorations?
Start custom work, including Santa houses, 3 to 6 months before installation. Pre-decorated items typically ship in 2 to 6 weeks and in stock items as quickly as the next business day, so order ready-made pieces at least 6 weeks before the decor has to be up.
Do you work with property management companies?
Yes. Municipalities and approved accounts can order on a purchase order, with payment due Net 30 after the order ships, and larger orders can be issued as a formal quote. We also supply a W-9 and are registered on SAM.gov.
