Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall C, Stand C6

Boutique brand We Love Seasons has cornered the market when it comes to stand-out Scandi style. Sarah Welsh caught up with the team ahead of the Harrogate show…

Looking back over the past 12 months, you can say with certainty that it has been a ‘year of learning’ for the small, close-knit team at We Love Seasons.

After exhibiting at Harrogate Christmas & Gift for the first time in 2023, founder and owner Malene Brondberg left her fulltime role in the cancer drug development industry in March to focus on the business. 

Firmly at the helm of the boutique brand’s design process, Malene has since been creating more pieces right across the range of festive and seasonal collections. And having overcome various unforeseen obstacles in recent months, she’s now looking ahead with pleasure to this year’s Harrogate edition and Christmasworld in Frankfurt.

The story behind We Love Seasons is a truly heartwarming affair. First established as a hobby business, it is based on Malene’s family traditions during seasonal celebrations. Malene was inspired by her mother who was a hugely creative person. She grew up in northern Denmark and remembers her mother making clothes, beautiful Christmas decorations and working hard in her kitchen garden.

“I’ve redesigned our Christmas bowls so they are now not just designed but also made in the UK”

founder and owner Malene Brondberg

We Love Seasons has since evolved into a Europe-wide brand – although based in the UK – and at last year’s Ambiente Fair Malene says they had lots of interest from shops all over the world. In particular several new Italian shops.

The breadth of visitors that travel to Harrogate is just one reason why Malene loves the Christmas & Gift show. This year she will be showcasing even more of her own designs at the convention centre.

“I just wanted to make something very traditional and timeless,” Malene explains. “I’ve redesigned our Christmas bowls so they are now not just designed but also made in the UK. And I designed a metal crown, some Halloween pieces and other smaller pieces. In terms of colours think white and gold, neutral tones and greens.”

Halloween is also an important category for the boutique brand and We Love Seasons will be taking many of its autumnal designs to Christmas & Gift. This range showcases the brand’s unique use of natural materials, including felt, stoneware and rope detail pumpkins. 

“The minimalist look of our pieces is a real point of difference for us,” says Malene. “The feedback we’ve had from other recent shows has been that customers love the Scandinavian style with a contemporary edge and a mix of colourways.

“Harrogate was a really great show for us last year when we debuted there and we built relationships with many new customers. We’ve kept the same show stand for 2024, located amidst other beautiful brands. 

“There’s nothing really like We Love Seasons at Christmas & Gift, and the way we style our show stand is distinct as well. People don’t just come to us for the collections, but also our styling ethos. Customers want to buy our key pieces that they can use again and again – that’s why we’re more of a lifestyle brand. Less is more with us to some extent!”

Sustainability is of core importance to the brand, with use of natural materials and continuing to look for more UK and European-based suppliers. Some of We Love Seasons’ biggest sellers are indoor wooden items, small decorative items and of course the much-coveted Halloween collection.

The brand’s UK customer base tends to be bespoke gift stores and independent garden centres. The aim is to draw in new customers from right across the country in 2024.

Malene reveals. “Harrogate attracts a really broad mix of buyers and in general it’s just a great show for us. It’s relaxed, very well organised and not just about ‘sell, sell, sell.’ Christmas & Gift is always a hugely positive experience.”

In addition to the seasonal and Halloween ranges, visitors to the We Love Seasons stand can also look forward to seeing the Easter collection.

And as for the year ahead, Malene says it looks set to be one of real growth for this stunning Scandi-inspired brand. So watch this space!

For more information visit: www.weloveseasons.com 

Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall C, Stand C6