Classy graze boxes, fancy trees and no boring roses

ANTHONY O’BRIEN has a creative streak. He has no formal training in decorating, but his keen eye for colour and attention to detail has guided him as he's decorated Christmas trees and produced matching tablescapes and wreaths for almost 15 years.

"I'll come to your home to assess the colour scheme, source decorations that will blend with your décor and style, and mount and decorate the tree," he said. He also does customised graze boxes which, he said, are perfect for gifts for people who are difficult to buy for.

“If you not sure what an individual likes, I will just put together one of these clear plastic boxes with alcohol, chocolates, roses, and cheese tray complete with fruit and nuts. Each box is tailored to the individual.” Additionally, he does acrylic rose boxes.

"It's not the boring roses in a vase. It's roses in an acrylic box that's very classy and its different."

The 31-year-old insurance sales representative with Guardian Group said his creativity was honed when he started working with a junior Carnival band over a decade ago.

"I started doing Kiddies Carnival in 2007 with Ruth Mendez, the bandleader and designer of Bois Cano Productions. She is the person who had initially discovered my creative talents. She then introduced me to the Easter bonnet arena and I developed my skills in that area."

His graze boxes initiative only began this year.

"The graze boxes came about from doing my aunt, Aunty Terry Graze Table at small limes and gatherings at her home. Then I realised it is such a different gift to give someone." He said the cost would depend on what the customer wants in the box, but it's definitely not cheap.

"However, because of my insurance background I always make sure to ask the customer what their budget is and try my best to tailor to their budget."

Similarly, with the decorating, he tries to work with what the customer can afford.

"I do not have a fixed cost per se, but I do not like to be limited. So, I would ask people what are their budget and give them an idea of what they can and cannot get based on what they can afford. But I make no excuses for it, I am not generally cheap. I go above and beyond for my clients I and give them full value for their money. I am also selective with whom I choose to work."

He said most of the decorations are sourced locally but from time to time he's had to import from the US. This year's colour trends are, "Blush, champagne, white and rose gold. Teal and navy blue too."

The covid19 pandemic, as with many other business, has affected him, but not on a large scale.

"A lot of people are more focussed on their homes, so whereas they would have spent money on vacation and entertainment, because of the restrictions they have transferred that money into doing stuff for their homes."

For more info: e-mail aobconcepts242@gmail.com or follow @aobconcepts on Instagram.