A look behind the scenes just before New Year's Eve

For many, the New Year's season doesn't begin until December. For us, it starts much earlier. Weeks before the first customers walk through the door, preparations in the warehouse are already in full swing.

There, we stack boxes, unpack, sort, and create space. It often feels like a game of Tetris, only the boxes are considerably heavier. Previously, we had to label many products individually with prices because the old cash register systems couldn't store item information. Thanks to the digitalization we've implemented in recent years, this step is no longer necessary. This significantly simplifies the entire preparation process and demonstrates how much modernization has improved our daily operations.

In this early phase, we also gather the final ideas for the new year. Sometimes it's an additional product, a new service, or a marketing campaign that we want to quickly finalize. The goal is to offer something new each year that wasn't available the year before.

The product search also begins early. Some items from last year are unavailable, or we want to expand our product range. So we look for suitable alternatives, compare new products, and compile the assortment as carefully as possible.

In parallel, the deployment plan for December is being developed. We're looking at when which volunteers are available, how we can best integrate everyone, and where we need additional support. Good processes are crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly later on.

As December begins, the atmosphere noticeably changes. Regular customers arrive early, appreciating the full selection and knowing that many products sell out quickly. With each passing day, the store becomes more lively. The shelves fill up, the stock is regularly replenished, and the warehouse begins to empty.

Then the typical December routine begins. Orders arrive and must be put away immediately. Reorders must be selected and distributed. Breaks become shorter, sometimes almost nonexistent.

But there are also many moments that make us smile every year. People come to us with genuine anticipation, whether it's their first time or they've been coming for years. Many are surprised when they see the shop and realize that such a selection even exists. Some even say outright that they never imagined how diverse and extensive our product range actually is.

Some scenes repeat themselves: the question of whether one is allowed to hold Roman candles. The phrase "don't tell Mom." Couples where one always wants more and the other is more inclined to hold back. And sometimes it's exactly the opposite.

As New Year's Eve approaches, everything becomes more intense. Customer traffic increases, and at certain times we have to ask people to wait outside because the shop would otherwise be too crowded. Luckily, there are plenty of parking spaces on our street, which makes things much easier.

Despite all the challenges, there's a moment that feels the same every year. The moment we realize the season has truly begun. Perhaps it's the sight of the first real queue. Perhaps it's the first empty stacks of crates that need to be replaced immediately. Or the rising energy within the team.

It's a demanding time, but it's also full of joy, encounters, and familiar routines. Every year it reminds us how much work goes into this evening and how much heart we put into it as a team.