09/22/2026
On American Business Women’s Day we are honoring Dorice Long, the remarkable woman whose creativity and resilience gave Christmas Designers its start.
Dorice began building businesses in design and décor during the 1960s, when women entrepreneurs faced a very different landscape. She eventually found her calling in commercial Christmas decorating, creating large-scale displays for businesses throughout South Florida.
In the summer of 1979, a warehouse fire destroyed nearly everything she had built and forced her into bankruptcy. At 56 years old, Dorice started again. That September, she and her sons, Clayton and Kevin, established Christmas Designers, Inc. With no warehouse, they operated from a rented Ryder truck parked in a Denny’s parking lot.
From those humble beginnings, Dorice's company was grounded in quality, design and genuine care for its customers. Nearly five decades later, her determination remains part of our foundation.
Today, we celebrate the business pioneer affectionately known as “Miss Christmas” and proudly carry her legacy forward.
