Pristine snow and the magical creatures When winter arrives, so does the pristine snow that blankets the earth. The glistening white landscape is a sight to behold, evoking a sense of wonder and magic. It is during this time that the realm of magical creatures comes alive. In folklore and mythology, snow is often depicted as a portal to hidden worlds. It is said that when the first snowflakes touch the ground, a gateway opens, allowing mythical beings to venture into our realm. These creatures are believed to be guardians of the winter season, bringing enchantment and joy to those fortunate enough to encounter them.
One final point. Christmas is now a massive commercial opportunity and the biggest sales period of the year. But there are still plenty of people for whom Christmas has obvious religious overtones. That includes Christians but also people of other faiths.
It s not just about how people get there or what state of mind they ll be in when they arrive; it s also about having enough space and resources on hand to deliver a great activation. Beholding this death of nature, man has associated winter with a kind of death which then allows nature to be reborn and regenerated even more beautifully than before.
These creatures are believed to be guardians of the winter season, bringing enchantment and joy to those fortunate enough to encounter them. One of the most iconic magical creatures associated with snowy landscapes is the snow fairy. These ethereal beings are delicate and elegant, with shimmering wings that reflect the light of the winter sun.
Pristine snow and the magical creatures
The Christmas period is all about tradition. The supermarket aisles filled with gifts and decorations, the Christmas TV ad battle and the traditional headlines about this year’s ‘Winter Blunderland’ Christmas-themed event.
Muddy fields rather than pristine snow; elves who are drunk, abusive or smoking; a ‘Polar Express’ which costs more, mile for mile, than the Orient Express; and a Santa experience which is more grotty than Grotto.
Year in, year out, the media reports on the heartbreak of those punters who have forked out £150 for a family ticket to feed carrots to a sad donkey wearing fake antlers before their 30 seconds with a Bad Santa. It seems like no matter how many disastrous Christmas theme parks are exposed every year, some people never learn.
I’m not just talking about consumers here: there are lessons that all of us who work in the experiential industry could do with taking to heart.
Here are just a few of them…
Location, Location, Location
There are very good reasons why the best Christmas experiential activations tend to take place in big department stores, shopping malls and transit hubs, not muddy fields outside Milton Keynes.
For one thing, it makes commercial sense, particularly for big brands. If you set up your extravaganza in a location which is going to see major footfall, particularly consumers in a shopping frame of mind, then it will directly impact sales.
It’s not just about how people get there or what state of mind they’ll be in when they arrive; it’s also about having enough space and resources on hand to deliver a great activation. Take shopping malls – they are already effectively retail theatres, with the infrastructure to allow you to deploy giant sleighs and chorus lines of dancing teddy bears.
Train stations and airports are other excellent places to run Christmas-themed events. Again, they have great facilities, good theatre-like spaces, doors and lifts which can handle large items of equipment, and lots of people who are going to spend the time waiting for their train or flight browsing the retail outlets.
Santa’s Little Helpers
Elves are supposed to be magical creatures who sing and dance as they make toys for good children. They’re not supposed to reek of cigarettes and booze, and they’re expected to be happy and cheerful no matter what the situation – not surly and abusive. The same applies to Santa himself, only more so.
If you think about it, though, professional, well-trained brand ambassadors are a key ingredient in the success of any activation, whether it’s a Christmas special, a Halloween Fright Night, an Easter Egg Hunt or sampling in a supermarket carpark.
The clue is in the job title: Brand Ambassadors. They represent the brand, which means they have to exemplify its values. Make sure the staff you deploy have been fully trained in all aspects of the brand and the product they will be promoting.
Check any requirements for staff with special skills – tech people, gymnasts and the like. And if there is going to be any contact with children, then make sure your ambassadors are CRB checked.
The true meaning of Christmas
One final point. Christmas is now a massive commercial opportunity and the biggest sales period of the year. But there are still plenty of people for whom Christmas has obvious religious overtones. That includes Christians but also people of other faiths.
Do not offend people by misusing religious symbols, by appearing to hijack the story of the Nativity to drive profit or by assuming that everyone you have contact with will be familiar with the story of Jesus’s birth.
You can still tap-in to the general feelings of goodwill that Christmas evokes in most people – just look at the current crop of Christmas ads. But whatever you do needs to be on-brand and genuine, not tawdry tat.
Andy DeVito is Account Director – Experiential at Blackjack Promotions, which provides leading staffing solutions, travel retail and specialist experiential services in the UK and the Middle East. Its core service offering falls under three headings: travel retail, experiential and logistics. It also works hand-in-hand with agency partners and media owners using its experiential expertise to bring brands and briefs to life. Blackjack is a member of the Airport Promotion Agencies (APA), of which Blackjack MD Sally Alington is joint-chairman, and the Institute of Promotional Marketing (IPM).
Originally posted on Promo Marketing December 20 2016
A depiction of a Yeti ( Riko Best / Adobe Stock)
They are known to dance amidst the falling snowflakes, leaving behind a trail of sparkling dust that enhances the beauty of the snowy landscape. Another creature that is said to roam the icy realm is the snow unicorn. This majestic creature has a luminescent white coat that blends perfectly with the snow-covered surroundings. With its graceful movements and gentle nature, the snow unicorn embodies the purity and tranquility of the winter season. In addition to these gentle beings, there are also legends of more mischievous and unpredictable creatures. The winter sprites are known for their playful nature, often creating snowball fights or hiding in the snowdrifts, ready to surprise unsuspecting passersby. These creatures bring a sense of joy and excitement to the winter season, adding a touch of whimsy to the frosty landscapes. The sight of these magical creatures in the pristine snow creates a sense of awe and wonder. They remind us of the hidden wonders of the world, and the importance of embracing our imagination. Whether we believe in their existence or not, the idea of these mythical beings adds a touch of mystery and enchantment to the winter season, making it a time of excitement and possibility. In conclusion, the pristine snow of winter brings with it a world of magical creatures. From dazzling snow fairies to graceful snow unicorns, these beings add a sense of wonder and enchantment to the winter season. Whether they exist in reality or merely in our imagination, they remind us to embrace the beauty and mystery of the world around us..
Reviews for "The Ineffable Beauty of Pristine Snow: Discovering the Magic within its Crystalline Depths"
1. John - 2/5
While "Pristine Snow and the Magical Creatures" had potential, it fell short in execution. The story felt predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't have any depth to them. The writing style also left much to be desired, as it seemed rushed and poorly edited. Overall, I was left disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I couldn't get through "Pristine Snow and the Magical Creatures" without rolling my eyes. The plot was utterly cliché and felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read. The protagonist was your typical special snowflake who was perfect at everything without any real struggle or character development. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with cheesy lines and unrealistic interactions. Save yourself the time and skip this one.
3. Mark - 3/5
While "Pristine Snow and the Magical Creatures" had its moments, it ultimately failed to capture my interest. The story seemed promising with its concept of magical creatures in a snowy setting, but it lacked depth and complexity. The pacing was off, with some parts feeling rushed while others dragged on. The world-building was minimal, barely scratching the surface of the magical elements. Overall, it was an average read that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Jessica - 2/5
"Pristine Snow and the Magical Creatures" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The writing was bland and lacked emotion, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about their journey. The descriptions of the magical creatures were lackluster, and the conflict felt forced and contrived. There were also several plot holes that left me questioning the logic of the story. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its promising concept.