The holiday season is almost here, and if you’re like many businesses, you’re wondering how to stand out during one of the busiest shopping times of the year. I’ve been in the trenches of Christmas marketing for years, helping brands create campaigns that bring in the festive cheer—and the sales!

Last year, I helped a local store run a 12-day Christmas promotion that doubled their foot traffic. In 2024, holiday retail sales are expected to rise by 4%, making it more important than ever to nail down your Christmas marketing strategy.

So in this article, I’ll walk you through 19 proven Christmas marketing ideas that can help you connect with customers, boost your visibility, and turn holiday cheer into holiday sales.

christmas marketing ideas

Christmas Marketing Ideas at a Glance

  1. Festive Email Campaigns with Personalized Offers
  2. Create a Christmas Gift Guide Blog Post
  3. Run a Christmas Countdown Sale
  4. Leverage Christmas-Themed Social Media Challenges
  5. Host a Virtual Christmas Workshop
  6. Partner with Influencers for Christmas Giveaways
  7. Offer Limited-Time Holiday Discounts & Bundles
  8. Add a Festive Touch to Your Website
  9. Create Christmas-Themed Video Ads
  10. Run a “12 Days of Christmas” Social Media Campaign
  11. Utilize Holiday-Themed Google Ads
  12. Launch a Christmas Loyalty Program
  13. Send Out Handwritten Holiday Cards
  14. Create Holiday-Themed Content for Pinterest
  15. Host a “Secret Santa” Virtual Event for Your Customers
  16. Offer Free Shipping on Christmas Orders
  17. Share Customer Holiday Stories on Social Media
  18. Decorate Your Storefront or Office for the Holidays
  19. Support a Local Charity During the Holidays

Why Christmas Marketing Matters in 2024

You know, I’ve seen it time and time again. Christmas can make or break the year for many small and medium-sized businesses. It’s not just about tinsel and festive cheer; it’s about the rush of customers who are eager to buy gifts, decor, and everything in between.

The holiday season, especially Christmas, accounts for a huge chunk of annual revenue, sometimes up to 30-40% for smaller shops. With that in mind, it’s clear that having a solid Christmas marketing campaign plan isn’t just nice to have, it’s crucial.

And trends have changed a lot over the years. Consumers start Christmas shopping earlier now, like, Halloween’s barely over, and they’re already hunting for the best deals! Online shopping is a massive part of this. I remember a time when e-commerce wasn’t as dominant, but now, if your website isn’t optimized for holiday traffic, you’re missing out.

Pro tip: Start planning your Christmas campaign by mid-October. I’ve learned the hard way that last-minute scrambling rarely ends well. Pre-scheduled email campaigns and social media posts can save your sanity when the holiday rush hits. Trust me on this one!

19 Best Christmas Marketing Ideas to Drive Sales This Holiday Season

1. Festive Email Campaigns with Personalized Offers:

Festive email campaigns can be a game-changer if you get them right. I learned this when a simple tweak—adding snowflakes and a cheery “Happy Holidays” banner—doubled my open rates! Loyal customers love feeling special, so try offering a personalized discount like “20% off just for you, [Name]!”

Using customer data helps too. Segment your lists based on past purchases or interests, and send tailored recommendations. It might sound like extra work, but it’s totally worth it when you see those conversions roll in!

2. Create a Christmas Gift Guide Blog Post:

Creating a Christmas gift guide can be a lifesaver for those last-minute shoppers—and for your traffic! Start by breaking it down into sections like “Gifts for Mom” or “Tech Gadgets Under $50.” It keeps things organized and appeals to different audiences.

Here’s a little SEO trick: use keywords like “best Christmas gifts 2024” or “unique holiday gift ideas” to grab organic traffic. And don’t forget to share it on social media! A Pinterest-friendly image can drive tons of clicks, especially during the holidays.

3. Run a Christmas Countdown Sale:

Christmas Countdown Sale

Running a Christmas countdown sale is like adding a bit of holiday magic to your marketing! 🎄 I tried it a few years ago, and it worked wonders. Each day, we offered a special deal—10% off on Day 1, a free gift on Day 2, you get the idea.

It kept customers coming back to see what new surprise awaited them. The trick? Promote it everywhere—daily email reminders, Instagram Stories, and even a pinned post on Facebook. It builds anticipation and gets people talking, and that’s half the battle!

4. Leverage Christmas-Themed Social Media Challenges:

One of my favorite holiday social media challenges was a “Christmas Recipe Swap” on TikTok. We asked followers to share their favorite holiday treats with the hashtag #BakeWithUs, and it took off! People love sharing their traditions, and seeing those recipes pop up created a real sense of community.

To make it work, create a branded hashtag like #FestiveFlavorChallenge and encourage users to tag your account. Reposting their content not only makes them feel appreciated but also helps boost brand loyalty. It’s a win-win!

The screenshot below contains one email I got from Canva last year to enter their Christmas challenge.

Canva Christmas challenge

5. Host a Virtual Christmas Workshop:

Hosting a virtual Christmas workshop can be a great way to connect with your audience. I once ran a holiday baking class with cozy cookies and hot cocoa vibes and people loved it. A virtual gift-wrapping session can be fun too, especially if you share a few pro tips.

You can promote it through your website, maybe a pop-up banner, and definitely go all out on social media. And here’s a little trick: subtly feature your products during the session, like showcasing your custom wrapping paper or holiday-themed baking kits. It’s natural and effective!

6. Partner with Influencers for Christmas Giveaways:

Partnering with influencers for Christmas giveaways can really boost your brand’s visibility—trust me, I’ve seen it firsthand! The trick is finding influencers who truly align with your audience. I once teamed up with a micro-influencer who shared our same cozy, holiday vibe, and it made all the difference.

Look for engagement, not just follower count. When it comes to the giveaway itself, keep it simple: “Follow, like, and tag a friend to enter.” And don’t forget to check those giveaway regulations—things can get messy if you miss the fine print!

7. Offer Limited-Time Holiday Discounts & Bundles:

Offering limited-time holiday discounts can really light a fire under those undecided shoppers. I learned that adding a countdown timer to the website—“Only 24 hours left!”—can work wonders. It creates that sense of urgency, making customers feel like they’ve gotta act fast.

When it comes to bundling, think about complementary items like “cozy socks + hot cocoa” or “spa set + scented candles.” Promote these bundles with targeted ads on social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, where you can reach shoppers looking for last-minute holiday deals. It’s like gift-wrapped success!

8. Add a Festive Touch to Your Website:

Adding a festive touch to your website can make all the difference during the holiday season. I once added a simple snowflake banner and a pop-up offering “Holiday Discounts”—and wow, the engagement shot up!

Just make sure your holiday-themed CTAs are clear and fun, like “Grab Your Gift!” or “Get 20% Off Before It’s Gone!” But be careful—too many animations can slow down your site. Stick with lightweight graphics and test your loading times. A slow site can scare off eager holiday shoppers, and nobody wants that!

9. Create Christmas-Themed Video Ads:

Creating Christmas-themed video ads is a blast—I’ve seen firsthand how a little holiday cheer can boost engagement! Try short clips, like a 15-second Instagram Reel showing your top holiday deals with some catchy jingle in the background.

It doesn’t have to be complicated—just focus on making it fun and festive. Platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are perfect for this. And don’t let that content go to waste! Repurpose the same video for Facebook ads or even a quick TikTok. A little editing magic, and it’ll fit anywhere!

10. Run a “12 Days of Christmas” Social Media Campaign:

Running a “12 Days of Christmas” social media campaign can be a blast if you keep things fresh! I tried it once, and the trick was mixing product showcases with interactive content. One day, we highlighted a popular product with a special discount, and the next, we ran a fun poll like, “Hot cocoa or eggnog?”

It kept followers guessing and coming back each day. A quick tip? Use quizzes like “Which holiday gift suits your style?” It’s a great way to keep folks engaged and subtly guide them to your products.

11. Utilize Holiday-Themed Google Ads:

Utilizing holiday-themed Google Ads can give your campaigns a serious boost! Last year, I experimented with keywords like “Christmas deals near me” and “holiday gift ideas 2024”—and it was a game changer. People are searching with that festive urgency, so phrases like “Last-minute Christmas gifts” can really stand out.

When writing your ad copy, sprinkle in some holiday cheer—words like “merry,” “festive,” or “gift” work wonders. And don’t forget to use geo-targeting! It’s perfect for reaching local customers looking for nearby holiday deals, like “local Christmas sales.” It’s all about meeting them where they are!

12. Launch a Christmas Loyalty Program:

Launching a Christmas loyalty program can really keep customers coming back for more. I once added a “double points” promotion for holiday purchases, and it worked wonders. People love feeling like they’re getting a little extra—think exclusive discounts or a free gift after their third purchase.

Make sure to highlight these perks in your email campaigns with catchy subject lines like “Holiday Rewards Just for You!” And don’t be shy about reminding them—send a few festive emails showing how close they are to their next reward. It’s like a little holiday nudge!

13. Send Out Handwritten Holiday Cards:

Sending out handwritten holiday cards can feel like a warm hug in a world full of digital noise. A few years back, I tried it for my business—scribbled a quick “Thanks for being with us!” and included a little discount code.

The response was amazing! People loved the personal touch, and it felt more genuine than just another email. To make it work, add a special offer, like “10% off your next order” in the card. Just don’t wait too long—mail them out by early December to beat the holiday rush.

14. Create Holiday-Themed Content for Pinterest:

Creating holiday-themed content for Pinterest can be a goldmine if you play it right! Last year, I put together a few gift guide boards—think “Stocking Stuffers Under $20” and “DIY Christmas Decor”—and they really took off.

Pinterest users are always searching for fresh ideas, so make sure your pins have those keywords like “holiday gift ideas” or “Christmas crafts.” And don’t forget to schedule your pins! Use a tool like Tailwind to post them during peak hours (evenings and weekends) when folks are scrolling for holiday inspiration. It keeps your content visible when it matters most!

15. Host a “Secret Santa” Virtual Event for Your Customers:

Hosting a “Secret Santa” virtual event for your customers can be a lot of fun! A few years back, I ran one where each participant got paired randomly, and they had to share a small virtual gift—think digital coupons or free downloads.

To make it even more engaging, I included my own products as prize options, like exclusive discounts or limited-edition items. Promoting it through your email list is key—tease the event in a few emails leading up to it, and then drop a festive invitation. It really builds excitement and makes your customers feel like part of a special community!

16. Offer Free Shipping on Christmas Orders:

Offering free shipping on Christmas orders can work wonders for boosting conversion rates. I remember running a holiday promotion where we offered free shipping on orders over $50, and the average order size jumped.

It’s like magic—customers just love the word “free”! Setting a minimum order amount is key; it helps you cover costs while making the deal feel special. Make sure to plaster this offer everywhere—add a banner on your homepage, mention it in your email newsletters, and create eye-catching posts for social media. Trust me, people won’t want to miss out!

17. Share Customer Holiday Stories on Social Media:

Sharing customer holiday stories on social media can bring a warm, personal touch to your brand. I remember running a “Share Your Holiday Joy” contest, where customers posted photos of their favorite holiday moments featuring our products.

To encourage participation, we offered a chance to win a gift card, and it worked like a charm! People love showing off their festive side. Plus, user-generated content, like cozy photos or heartfelt captions, tends to perform well. It’s authentic, engaging, and gives your brand a human face during the holidays.

18. Decorate Your Storefront or Office for the Holidays:

Decorating your storefront or office for the holidays can make such a difference! I remember stringing up lights and setting up a cozy little Christmas tree by the entrance, and suddenly the whole place felt warmer. It’s not just about looks—those decorations make a perfect backdrop for social media.

Snap a few photos of the setup and share them on Instagram to create that festive vibe online too. And if you’re hosting an in-store event, like a hot cocoa bar or holiday craft station, it adds a little extra magic that customers love. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!

19. Support a Local Charity During the Holidays:

Supporting a local charity during the holidays isn’t just heartwarming—it’s a great way to connect with your community. I once partnered with a nearby food bank, and the response was incredible. Customers love seeing a brand give back, especially during the holiday season.

To spread the word, we sent out a few emails highlighting the cause and shared behind-the-scenes clips on social media. We even matched customer donations, which made them feel like they were part of something bigger. It’s a win-win—doing good while building trust with your audience!

How to Measure the Success of Your Christmas Marketing Campaigns

Measuring the success of your Christmas marketing campaigns can be a bit tricky, but tracking the right key performance indicators (KPIs) makes all the difference. I’ve found that focusing on metrics like conversion rates, average order value, and website traffic is crucial during the holiday rush.

Keep an eye on those email open rates too—if they’re low, it might be time to tweak your subject lines! Using tools like Google Analytics can give you a clear picture of where your traffic is coming from and how customers are engaging with your site.

And don’t forget social media insights—check which posts are getting the most likes, shares, or comments. This data can help you pivot quickly if something isn’t working. For example, if your Instagram ads aren’t converting but your Facebook posts are, shift your budget there. Real-time adjustments can turn a so-so campaign into a holiday hit!

Wrapping Up: Christmas Marketing Strategy

The holiday season is one of the best times to connect with your customers and make lasting impressions. With these 19 best Christmas marketing ideas, you’ll be ready to engage your audience and boost your sales during the most wonderful time of the year!

Whether you’re running a local business or an online store, the key is to be creative, authentic, and customer-focused. Start planning now, and let’s make this holiday season a truly profitable one! Ready to get started? Download our free holiday marketing calendar to keep your campaigns on track.

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