Owner of prestigious event co-ordination company slams this year’s festive decorations

Drab and lacking in any sort of Christmas joy. Ouch. The owner of a prestigious events company has some scathing criticism about this year’s city decorations. Do you agree?

The owner of a prestigious event co-ordination company has slammed Adelaide city’s Christmas decorations, calling them “drab” and “years past its due date.”

Owner of Atmosphere Events, Sam Rice, has described this year’s Christmas tree on Victoria as “uninspired” and “lacks any sort of Christmas joy.”

With his company, Mr Rice has designed events for luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, and TAG Heuer, and thinks “Adelaide deserves better” this Christmas.

“To be honest, the tree is very drab,” he said.

“Sure, it might look good at night time, but during the day it’s really just unattractive, and it could be so much more interesting.”

Mr Rice compared Sydney’s Christmas tree, which is heavily decorated in large baubles and decorations, to Adelaide’s tree.

“Yeah, it does look povo, it really does,” he said.

Adelaide's Christmas tree in Vic Square compared to Sydney's tree.

Christmas decorations in Rundle Mall. Picture: Supplied

Christmas decorations in Rundle Mall. Picture: Supplied

Christmas decorations in Rundle Mall. Picture: Supplied

“When you get up close, it’s even sadder.

“We could upgrade it (the tree) and make it feel fresh again by covering it with ornaments.

“I know there is a net that sits over the trees so all the ornaments would have to sit flat to be seen underneath the netting so it doesn’t disrupt the lighting at night but still has a lot of impact during the day.”

Mr Rice gave the suggestion that the tree could have SA inspired decorations, such as Fruchocs and frog cakes along with candy canes and Santa hats.

He also gave a scathing review of King William Street’s lighting set-up.

Sam Rice. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“The lighting on King William Street is many years past its use by date and should have been replaced several years ago but it has to be done to a commercial grade standard,” he said.

“The current installation in some cases, they’ve stapled it to trees.”

This year Rundle Mall have released their decorations – large inflatable Santas as well as some swings, which Mr Rice also took aim at.

“You really have to be careful when you deal with the general public and displays, you have to take into consideration that people will want to damage things,” he said.

“Having inflatable Santas would need 24 hour security … I was on Rundle Mall on Saturday and saw kids bouncing off them like they were bouncy castles.”

“We really need to encourage to spread Christmas out, we need it to be in all areas of the city. We want all the streets to be activated, not just a big tree on Vic Square and a little bit of nothing on Rundle Mall,” Mr Rice said.

Adelaide City deputy lord mayor Phillip Martin said he wants “Christmas in our city to be every bit as festive and charming as other great cities in the world”.

“I know many of our retailers put in a great deal of money and time to ensure their businesses are beautifully decorated to celebrate the festive season,” he said.

“The council has a responsibility to meet those same standards in Rundle Mall and elsewhere.

“I know people are saying we’ve gone for a povo look, but I wouldn’t say that. Can we do a better job? Yes. We must.”

Adelaide City councillor Keiran Snape said the council should work with Mr Rice on Christmas decorations.

“Perhaps he could work with Council to create a more festive environment if that’s what people want,” he said.

Fellow councillor David Elliott defended the Victoria Square Christmas tree and Rundle Mall decorations, calling them a “smart purchasing decision”.

“I think it’s one of those things where cities have to choose a design and aesthetic and we’ve gone for something that is simplistic and has a clear association with an event,” he said.

“It’s clearly recognisable as a Christmas tree and I think the choice to go with something that can easily be put up and taken down easily and also stored very easily I think that’s a good indication of a smart purchasing decision for the tree specifically.”

Councillor Mary Couros said she had been arguing for increased funding “for years”.

“We need the state government to come on board and fund it with us. Relative to the other capital cities, we are a smaller city to deliver Christmas as a tourism and economic benefit,” she said.

Adelaide City Council and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency, which manages Rundle Mall, declined to comment.

The state government were contacted for comment and advised it was a matter for the Adelaide City Council.