Can you think of a holiday better suited to consignment, thrift and resale shops than Valentine’s Day?

After all, don’t ALL of your customers always say.

“I just LOVE this place!”

Our Advent paper chain garland was so popular with our resale shopkeeper friends, I thought you might like to create a Valentine’s version for decor in your shop. Here’s the simple, simple way to make heart garlands.

(Hint: create a little store-branded handout telling your customers how to make these at home. You’re sure to be asked, and WOW! To get a half-sheet explanation for them to take home… what other retailer would do that for them?!? WOM out the wazoo!)

Another giveaway idea: Give them Valentines to go! Take something like this photo, make up some heart-shapes (made or purchased) with messages relating to your marketplace, tack them up on a free wall and invite your customers to take one or two to give to their loved ones. Some messages to get you started: You’re so STYLISH! I love the way your home feels Cute kids! Paste your business card on the reverse of the heart, natch.

Build that small-tow, shop-local feel with a dozen (or more!) long-stemmed poses. Get busy taking shots of your most loyal, fun, photogenic customers, and use this idea for decor on your sales counter. (Hint: the folks you choose, should be the ones most likely to give you major, wide-spread WOM. Be sure to have your camera handy to take a picture of them with… their picture, and email it to them a few days later to start a whole new round of WOM!)

Click the pix for credits, ideas, more.

Now, with these sweethearts of ideas won’t your customers be telling other folks how much

They love this place!