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As All Saints’ Day approaches, the island is preparing to experience one of its most memorable moments of reflection and tradition. In stores, shopping trends are emerging very clearly for decorating family graves: this year, residents are favoring color, practical sizes, and products that can withstand the tropical climate.
Bright Colors and Low Prices at Corossol
At the Epicerie de Corossol, Nathalie Philip has noticed that shoppers are planning ahead. The rush begins as early as mid-September: “People start early; they have large families, and this allows them to spread out their expenses,” explains the store manager. With the sun causing natural flowers to wilt quickly, French-made fabric flowers are emerging as a durable alternative.
As for trends, understated styles are giving way to vibrant hues: “It’s very colorful, quite bold. I have unique colors like orange, pink, or lavender, which my customers really love.” ” At Nathalie Philip’s shop, customers primarily look for small, affordable arrangements: “We sell more small arrangements than large ones, because people buy them for everyone. ” Beyond sales, the shop owner emphasizes the spirit of the occasion: “It’s a time for reflection, but also for family reunions.”
Hardy Plants and Fresh Flowers at Bloomy
When it comes to fresh flowers, at the Bloomy shop taken over by Alba Moscato, business picks up later in the day. While cut flowers remain in demand, customers are overwhelmingly turning to varieties that can withstand wind and sun: “We’re getting a lot of requests for chrysanthemums, roses, and planter arrangements,” says the florist. “But to withstand the heat, I especially recommend flowering cacti, tillandsias, or desert roses, which hold up very well.”
That’s because shipping fresh flowers by air to Saint Barthélemy remains a real logistical and financial challenge. That doesn’t stop families—even those living far away—from keeping the tradition alive: Alba Moscato also handles orders placed from outside the island: “We also have people who call us to have flowers delivered directly to their loved one’s grave. We’re starting to get to know certain families quite well.” ” For her, the All Saints’ Day celebration retains all its poignant significance: “Seeing all the graves adorned with flowers, and everyone participating with candles—it’s truly beautiful. It’s both intimate and brings joy to people.”
On the evening of October 31, whether fresh or artificial, flowers will adorn the graves to suit every taste and budget, making the cemeteries of Saint-Barthélemy glow in the candlelight.
