It appears that the 2016 hardgoods trends will be a strong continuation of where 2015 left off. This year’s Christmas season saw strength in natural ornaments, decorations and display pieces, as well as a strong demand for earthy items such as birch, moss, grapevine, twigs, branches and figurines of woodsy creatures like foxes, owls, hedgehogs and deer.

The clearest indication of this natural trend is the tremendous growth in wood containers of all shapes and sizes. These types of containers — some as eclectic as a miniature chest of drawers — are extremely versatile. Many catalog companies are using square, wooden tray containers because they are able to make attractive, compact arrangements that fit nicely into shipping boxes with little or no damage to the product. Wooden trays have also become very popular for use in centerpieces and natural tablescapes. Most are trans-seasonal and lend themselves to being easily branded with a company name and logo. Decorative whiskey barrels in all shapes and sizes are also coming into vogue. Their ability to serve as not only a vessel for a floral design or arrangement, but as a home décor piece as well, has made them very popular.

A solution to stricter rules prohibiting open flames at many venues, battery-operated LED candles are popular with event and party planners.Other natural items that took off in 2015 — and should continue to see strong growth in 2016 — are birch- and bark-covered containers. Extremely popular in sizes two-inch to 10-inch sizes, they will also be widely used for arrangements and centerpieces. Growth in natural containers has caused galvanized and tin containers to pull back and this trend should continue into 2016. A few importers of this product have recently ceased bringing them into the U.S.

It appears that wood-related products such as bulk cork, corkboards, birch tubes and sheets will maintain momentum heading into the new year, as will all sizes and styles of twig wreaths. Pieces of wood logs/trees cut into discs for home décor are also very popular.

In the glass vase category, clear styles dominate and it appears that this will be the case for the foreseeable future. Mercury glass in both silver and gold finishes made a splash in 2015. Styles range from votive cups up to pilsner vases, and strength in this trend will continue to grow into the new year.

Vase fillers are getting more diverse and interesting. In addition to the wood items noted above, crushed ice, sea glass, and seashells in a variety of shapes and vivid colors will accent more and more containers.

Battery-operated and LED candles continue to be extremely popular with event and party planners who are coming up against stricter rules at many venues that will not permit open flames at functions. These items now routinely come equipped with remote controls, which not only results in ease of operation, but saves a considerable amount of battery life as well.

We really won’t know what made a splash in 2016 until this time next year, however, if the most recent past is any indication, the items and trends that gained momentum at the end of 2015 are sure to lead the way.

Nick Fronduto is chief operating officer at Jacobson Floral Supply in Boston. He can be contacted at [email protected].