Retailers get set with wonderful Olympic Games window displays
As the 2024 Olympic Games kicks off with the history-making opening on the River Seine in Paris this evening, 26 July, greeting card retailers are getting behind the big event.
Shop windows across the country are ablaze with Olympic torches, the rings and medals as the stores mark the 16-day sporting extravaganza officially known as the Games Of The XXXIII Olympiad.
![Above: A water-borne parade for the opening of the Paris Olympics this evening](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-2-1024x509.png)
With the football, rugby sevens, archery, and handball competitions having started on Wednesday, 24 July, and shooting this morning, the opening ceremony due to take place this evening is the official launch of the games and, for the first time, it’s not only taking place outside a stadium, but the parade of the 10,500 athletes is afloat with boats for each country’s delegation.
In Edinburgh businesses have gone to town with decorated windows, frontages – and stairs in one case! – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Scotsman Eric Liddle’s 400m gold medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
![Above: Paper Tiger is taking part in the Morningside window contest](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-3-1024x569.jpg)
“We’ve turned our window into an Olympic winners’ podium, complete with our Jellycat champions,” Paper Tiger’s Michael Apter said. “Look who won!” pointing out the gold has gone to the Fuddlewuddle Highland Cow.
Also taking part is Nikki Halliday at The Bay Tree Company – whose entry can be seen in the reel below – as the competition has dozens of entries to raise awareness of the Eric Liddle Community care charity and community hub, with public votes being counted to find the winning window.
![Above: At Towlers Newsagents in Easingwold director Joe Rushton said: “It’s a chance to watch your favourite sport and cheer on Team GB! Many thanks to Easingwold & District Yarn Bombers, together with Men In Sheds for providing this wonderful window display.”](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-4.jpg)
![Above: Handicrafts have been used to at Janet Stringer’s store The Handmade Elephant in Wigston Magna for a very detailed display.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-5.jpg)
![Above: Postbox toppers are a perfect way of celebrating big events, and the Crochet Queens Ashtead Wing created this one in Surrey.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-6-924x1024.jpg)
![Above: Knitters and crocheters of the Secret Society Of Hertford Crafters have gone big with no less than 37 toppers in their Yarnlympics event in Hertford and Ware, covering four themes of sports, para-athletes, history and Paris – you can find out all the locations here and all donations go to the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-7-1024x1024.jpg)
![Above: Donna Stocks uses flags inside The Beverley Card Company in Beverley to show her true colours and has just switched from the rainbow ones for Pride Month, to the Union Jack, saying: “We’re supporting Team GB in the Paralympics.”](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Olympics-pic-8-1024x584.jpg)
Below: At the Little Flower Shop in Tidworth, owner Victoria MacDonald posted this reel showing her display using hula hoops, flowers and flags.