A flower shop won $1,500 in prize money yesterday after a faux fireplace in its window wowed the judges of a Christmas window competition.

Demco To Go, located on Church Street in Hamilton, won the judges’ pick and the People’s Choice awards for the City of Hamilton’s Christmas Window Decorating Contest.

Carmen Phillips, the owner of the flower shop, said it felt “absolutely astounding” to win this year.

She added: “There were so many great entries this year, so we knew we had to elevate our decorations.

“We’re very grateful that people saw the hard work that we put in to do this.

“This is the highlight of the Christmas season for us.”

Demco was selected by more than 1,500 members of the public out of 27 candidates.

This will be the second time in five years that the store won Best Christmas Window 2023 and People’s Choice awards.

Ms Phillips said she believed that the homemade “fireplace” they set in the window — complete with the sound of a crackling fire — gave the display the edge.

She explained that their theme was “a cosy night in Hamilton”, which included an image of snow falling over Hamilton Harbour to make video footage of a fireplace feel warmer.

She added that her staff were always excited for the annual competition because it gave them a chance to flex their creative muscles.

Ms Phillips said: “The Christmas window is really special to us, especially as a creative business.

“It’s important because we get a chance to be free — we’re not under the constraints of what our clients are asking for or any cost constraints, and every year we try to at least allow that freedom to come out for a little bit and it tends to work.”

The flower shop won $1,000 for the Best Christmas Window 2023 award and $500 for being the public’s top pick.

Demco To Go will also get the chance to donate $1,500 to a charity of its choosing and will be spotlighted in the City’s social media.

Ms Phillips thanked the Corporation of Hamilton for doing a “wonderful job” promoting City businesses throughout the year.

She also credited her employee, Dustin Francisco, as being the artist who designed up the display.

The 1609 Restaurant was the first runner-up in the judges’ choice for Best Christmas Window 2023 while Escape Room Bermuda was the second runner-up.

Dellwood Middle School came second for the People’s Choice award, while maternity store Nest came third.

Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, congratulated Demco and the runners-up of the contest.

He said: “It was an exciting contest this year with some high-quality entries, and we want to thank those businesses for answering the City’s call to help create a magical holiday spectacle for our island’s residents.”