Now that the "Season" is almost over I am rethinking my baking biz strat for next year. I would like to poll everyone's thoughts on next years trends. In crafts it was still snowmen, elfs and the like. Food Network concentrated on gingerbread houses and celebrity cooks.

What do you think CC members...should I start thinking elfs? snowflakes? Or should I relax and what until Feb? lol

By the way I am a Marketing Specialist full time...just love trends!

Marketing specialist! WOW!
Perhaps you could share some ideas with us for way to get the word out there. Do you have a web site for that business?
Thanks.

Well, you of all people should know that trends are as fickle as the weather in Colorado. So IMO, I would go with a couple trendy items, lately it's been carved cakes and fondant. And then have some good ol' workhorse items that are, as they say in the fashion industry, "timeless". Like stacked bc with flowers or tiers with ribbons or the "mac-n-cheese" of it ; sheet cakes with kits n borders or rounds with flowers n borders.
That's just what I have seen and observed in general.
I live in an area that is bout 2 years behind the trends so I have a wonderful samples to bring to the customers that they think is "cutting edge" when actually in places like Boston or New York, it's already passe. I know that's just lazy but, them's the facts, ma'am.

I think that snowmen, elves, and angels will ALWAYS be a part of Christmas! At least I hope they will be. I did notice this year that people are moving away from the traditional (and MY favorite) green, red, and gold to brighter "designer" colors.

I bet your "day job" comes in handy for your baking biz...huh?

Beth in KY

Okay, SORRY, just reread the post. Not JUST Christmas, huh? LOLL
I'm in the same boat as chaptips. When I do fondant, people think that I'm "the bomb"! LOLL In fact, local cater won't even DO fondant! He told me (before he turned me in to the local authorities) that I couldn't cover an entire cake in fondant! He's GREAT with BC roses and swiss dots, though! BTW....I am LEGAL!!

Okay, I think the more unusual.....the better. People like seeing "themselves" in their cakes. I do a lot of theme cakes because of this.

Beth

Yeah I noticed the same thing too Beth,
Teal and purple were big this year as colors for Christmas cakes. (colors of a moonlit snow scene).

Red was the big color this year around here, so I'd go with blues for next year. Ornaments, snow, giftwrap. Green itself doesn't seem to hold, as it doesnt contrast with the tree.

Outside of Christmas, I'm thinking bright, bold parties with white party dresses - NOT good for stains, but beautiful and celebratory. Whimsical decorations, but not whimsy cakes as much (passe). The Americolor neon colors could get a lot of use. Keep purples, switching away from teals. Bright patent-leather reds, maybe?