Decorating outdoor trees ranks right up there with window washing and tree removal – fear of heights not allowed. – Photo by Jim Ferguson
By Andy RobertsHoliday Cheer Is Christmas Décor’s Business The Daily Record The lights are on throughout downtown Omaha, with the joy of the season spreading throughout the community. Now, maybe, Travis Kuster can catch his breath. Those would be the lights for Omaha’s Holiday Lights Festival, based around the Gene Leahy Mall. It’s become one of the city’s great holiday traditions, and a big reason why Travis Kuster’s firm Christmas Décor is the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Month. It’s no small task to see to it that a million lights go on just right, especially with a city watching and waiting. But for Kuster, it’s what he does and he loves it. “Being a part of the Holiday Lights Festival has been special,” Kuster said. “I am really excited to help expand the celebration on the North and South 24th Street corridors.” It is especially meaningful for Kuster to see the smiles on the children who attend the annual event, and he takes special pride in helping to have established a new community tradition. This is no small undertaking. The city’s Holiday Lights Festival sees those million bright lights spread over more than 40 city blocks. The north corridor addition runs from Ohio to Grant streets while the South 24th Street corridor goes from L to Q streets. They were lit the day after Thanksgiving as part of the expanding tradition. For Kuster, his involvement in the Holiday Lights Festival is the natural outgrowth of a business he started in 1999, and that came about for a simple reason. “I started Christmas Décor because I wanted to offer a service that was enjoyable for our customers and employees,” he said. “It was a way that we could share the holiday spirit.” Kuster believes nothing signals the arrival of the holidays like the sight of a beautifully decorated home. Of course, that always works best when a dazzling light arrangement is part of the package. “We love to see our communities sparkling with exciting lights and festive displays,” Kuster said “What makes the holiday season more joyous than holiday lights? It’s like magic.” He will be the first to say it is no small task to create that special holiday look, but the cheer it brings is well worth the effort. Not everyone has the expertise that is needed, and it isn’t something that can be developed over the course of a weekend or even a single season. “At Christmas Décor, we know how to create just the right touch for your home,” Kuster said. “Our professionals will make your home one to remember for the holidays, and a real standout for your neighborhood.” Christmas Décor is recognized as a professional in this area, and the work starts with mapping and evaluating your property. “Then we listen to you and learn what you want,” Kuster explained. “The idea is to create something unique that fits with the look of your home.” Kuster’s firm provides a full array of decorating options, and those include energy efficient LED lights, supplies, decorations and, most importantly, trained people power. “It is our specialty to turn your home into something that perfectly captures the spirit of the holidays, just the way you want it,” he said. Kuster and his crews work to make sure each installation reflects the personality of each homeowner. They will highlight the existing shapes of the home, following the roofs, the windowsills and other shapes. “Knowing what we know, our staff will work with the design of your home, not against it,” he explained. “That takes time, skill and knowledge.” As Kuster points out, the staff needs to be trained and work with the existing electrical capabilities. “The result is hassle-free holiday decorating,” he said. Christmas Décor provides the decorations and the labor, Kuster said. The firm also handles taking down the lights and other elements after the holidays and stores them for you. “Service after the installation,” he said, is what separates Christmas Décor from its competition. From start to finish, your biggest job as a holiday homeowner is to enjoy. The Omaha metro community is a good place for a business like Christmas Décor for a simple reason, Kuster explained. “There is a wonderful holiday spirit in the Omaha metro,” he stated. “This is a community that really enjoys celebrating the holidays.” Looking back on more than a decade of lighting up the holidays, Kuster can easily pick a highlight for his company, which has a team of 10 to 15 employees. “No doubt,” he said. “Being part of the Holiday Lights Festival for 10 years is the best thing that has happened.” The Chamber’s Small Business Award is another feather in Kuster’s cap. It was something that really made him feel that others appreciate the work of Christmas Décor. “Winning the award was a fantastic experience and certainly we feel very fortunate to be part of such a great community,” he said. So maybe, you could just say he sells joy – to the world. |
