Sleigh the Season: Festive Ways to Market Your Business this Christmas
- Clairical
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
The Christmas period is the busiest (and often the most profitable) time of year for many small businesses. Whether you’re an online seller, service provider, or bricks-and-mortar shop, now’s the time to get festive and make the most of the holiday season. So, if you want to make your business sparkle this Christmas but don't have the budget for ads, here are 10 free or low cost ways you can market your business this Christmas.
Before we dive in, let’s do a bit of groundwork and think about what you want to achieve with your Christmas marketing. Having clear objectives from the start makes it much easier to plan your campaigns and create content that works.
Here are some common goals, I’d suggest focusing on one or two, depending on your capacity and budget:
Brand awareness
New customer acquisition
Increase in sales from new clients
Increase in sales from repeat business
Increase in sales volume (per customer)
1. Bring the Festive Magic to Your Customers
Creating the festive spirit isn't just about putting up tinsel in a shop window. If you maintain your own website why not add a little Christmas cheer to your site with snowflakes, Christmas trees etc. Don’t overdo it, subtlety is best. Also, your website is your digital shopfront, so make sure it’s ready. Check load speeds, streamline the checkout, and ensure it works seamlessly on mobile. It’s also worth asking someone else to test the user journey, a fresh pair of eyes can make all the difference.
Don’t forget the small details, a handwritten note or festive postcard in every order can transform the customer experience into something truly memorable.
2. Personalised Cards
I know it's not very sustainable but I love to send and receive cards. Mine are all handwritten and designed by me and are a great way to make your business stand out and remind people you appreciate their support over the past year. There are now no end of companies that offer design and printing services including Vista Print, HelloPrint, and Snapfish. They all offer great deals on cards and you can either upload your own design (Canva) or use a template.
3. Email campaign
If you have an email list then Christmas is a great opportunity for you. There are so many options with email marketing so think back to your objectives and what you want to achieve.
You could create a Christmas themed email campaign highlighting key products and promotions. Maybe “12 Deals of Christmas”. Don’t make your emails just about promoting your products, why not add other Christmas-related content such as unusual customs, recipes, interesting Christmas articles etc. Every family has a Christmas quirk, share yours or others you have heard of.
The holidays are a great time to leverage the power of your email list. Create an exclusive “Loyal Customer” deal which is time-sensitive. If you have the option, looking at segmenting your list so subscribers get the most relevant recommendations. This is also a good opportunity to update your customers with your Christmas opening hours over the festive period and thanking them for their business.
4. Social Media
The big one! There is so much you can do in terms of social media promotion this time of year, but try and remember to not bombard people with your promotions, otherwise, they will simply unlike your page. Share Christmas themed content which is relevant to your audience such as time-saving guides, DIY gift ideas, recipes, gift guides etc. Create videos for your social media account using free apps like Canva and CapCut.
Publish behind the scenes pictures of your Christmas office or Christmas jumpers, create social media graphics showcasing your products, all with a Christmas theme. If you’re on Pinterest why not create a Christmas pinspiration board that includes your products.
Create a Christmas marketing campaign, could you do a Christmas countdown? I think it's key to have a plan for your social media marketing at this time of year as it can be so busy, not just for businesses but at home, children etc. Knowing what you are going to post in advance, creating the content and scheduling it will save you time leaving you free to focus on eating those mince pies...
5. User-Generated Content - Starbucks
Whether you like or loathe them there's no doubt Starbucks packs a punch at Christmas with their marketing. Their cute Christmas themed cups are oozing with Christmas spirit and it's something that everyone can be part of. They also, of course, provide the obligatory Christmas beverage that might even get the tea-drinking obsessives such as myself to sample an alternative. Well, it is Christmas after all.
But the most impressive thing about their Christmas marketing is the buzz created with their user-generated content on Instagram. This is where people take photos of themselves with a Starbucks product and share on Instagram tagging Starbucks in. Starbucks can then choose to repost the photo. This means they get lots of free content. Is this something you could do, could you incentivise your purchasers to post pictures of your products which they have purchased from you?
6. Join forces
The holiday season is their an opportunity for you to collaborate with other business owners who complement your own business. Why not create a combined offer. Double the social media promotion and increased visibility and keep people shopping locally and through independents.
7. Offer Limited-Edition Products or Gift Bundles
Christmas is the perfect excuse to launch something special. Think festive scents, colours, or designs available only during the season. Gift bundles also simplify decision-making for customers while boosting your average order value. Offer them at different price points and make gift wrapping an easy add-on (or free for higher-value orders).
Help your customers by curating products into themed gift guides. Think “Gifts under £20” or “Stocking Fillers.” Guides work brilliantly as blog posts, social posts, or downloadable PDFs that link directly to your products.
8. Offer Seasonal Discounts or Promotions
The festive season is the perfect time to reward your customers with special offers and to give them that extra nudge to shop early. Limited-time promotions create a sense of urgency, while bundle deals or value-added offers can help increase your average order value. (Could be done in conjunction with social media and your mailing list).
Think about what works for your business:
Flash sales to build excitement and drive quick purchases, perfect for promoting limited-edition or slow-moving stock.
Multi-buy discounts such as “buy two, get one free” or “save 20% when you buy a bundle,” which encourage larger baskets.
Free shipping weekends to remove friction at checkout and make it easier for customers to commit.
Early-bird discounts for customers who shop before a certain date, helping you manage stock and avoid last-minute rushes.
You could also experiment with tiered offers, for example, “spend £30 and get 10% off, spend £60 and get 20% off.” This not only rewards higher spending but also feels generous and festive.
Don’t forget to promote your offers clearly across all your channels website banners, email newsletters, and social media and include the end date to create that gentle sense of urgency.
9. Blogging
Write a Christmas themed blog. Ideas include Christmas hair trends, top festive party looks, local days out, seasonal recipes, top 10 toys, favourite festive cocktails, Christmas markets, top 10 Christmas films...Who doesn't love a catchy blog title? Christmas Presents - No ideer? Or how about No Time Like The Presents? I'll leave it there.
10. Small Business Saturday
This event runs on a specific day each year and this year it's the 6th of December and it's not too late to register your business. There's loads of info on their website including a marketing pack and a nationwide bus tour so check it out. Many high streets now incorporate Small Business Saturday into their marketing with lots of independent shops participating by offering deals and discounts. If it's too late for your business to take part this year why not add it to your list for marketing activities next year.
Wrap-Up (pun absolutely intended!)
Christmas is the perfect time to get creative with your marketing and have a little fun with your business. You don’t have to do everything at once, start by choosing one or two ideas that feel right for your business and fit your capacity.
Once the season wraps up, take some time to reflect on what worked well (and what didn’t). Those insights will help you make smarter, more confident decisions for next year.
With a bit of planning and imagination, the festive season can become a huge opportunity for your business. Whether it’s through limited-edition products, local collaborations, or simply adding a touch of Christmas sparkle to your customer experience, these strategies will help you stand out, spread joy, and boost sales this holiday season.
Now, where did I stash the mince pies...