18 Christmas Promotion Ideas & Examples to Boost Holiday Sales

The holiday season accounts for a huge share of annual revenue for businesses. The NRF states that the core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season achieved a record high at $994.1 billion, with online and non-store sales reaching $296.7 billion.

Well-executed Christmas promotion ideas with the help of marketing campaign platforms and tools can help businesses tap into the heightened consumer spending and festive sentiment. By offering targeted discounts, festive bundles, and emotionally engaging campaigns, companies can boost sales, increase brand visibility, and foster customer loyalty.

Below are 18 proven Christmas promotion tactics with real-brand examples that blend creativity, psychology, and strategy to drive holiday engagement and conversions.

18 Christmas Promotion Ideas and Examples to Boost Holiday Sales 

Explore these Christmas promotion ideas supported by real-world brand examples. The examples have been divided into four broad categories. These categories encompass Christmas promotion ideas and examples that focus on product, urgency, conversion, engagement, interactivity, brand experience, and emotional connection.

A. Product-Focused Christmas Promotion Ideas

1. Create Gift Guides by Budget, Persona, or Theme

Curated gift guides simplify decision-making by organizing products into shopper-friendly categories. These categories can be “Gifts Under $50”, “For Dad”, or “Tech Lover”. By targeting specific recipients or price points, you reduce choice paralysis.

For example, Best Buy’s Gift Ideas helps shoppers quickly find relevant options based on who they’re buying for, making the experience more tailored and stress-free. The guide includes themed suggestions like “Gifts for tech obsesses,” “for crafters,” and “for foodies,” catering to niche interests and helping shoppers discover ideas they might not have thought of. It improves the buyer experience by providing a one-stop shop feel for all gifting needs.

2. Bundle Products into High-Value Gift Sets

Group complementary items into festive bundles or gift sets at a slight discount. Bundling increases perceived value, clears inventory, and lifts average order size. Customers feel they’re getting more for their money. 

By bundling complementary products, like lip kits, skincare sets, or brush collections, e.l.f. shows customers they’re getting more for less. The individual retail prices often add up to more than the bundle cost, making it feel like a deal. These introduce customers to products they may not have tried otherwise. It’s a great way to cross-sell, increase product usage, and drive future individual purchases.

3. Launch and Promote Digital or Physical Gift Cards 

Gift cards remove guesswork and let recipients choose their own gift, thus increasing their demand during the holidays. It acts as an easy last-minute gift and often leads to spending beyond the card’s value. 

For instance, Sephora offers digital gift cards that can be emailed instantly, making it ideal for last-minute Christmas shoppers who need a thoughtful gift with zero shipping delay. Customers can choose the amount, design, and even add a personal message, which adds a personalized touch and emotional value to an otherwise generic gift. It appeals to indecisive or time-pressed buyers and drives post-holiday sales when recipients redeem cards.

You might like to read: 22 best Christmas marketing ideas to boost sales and engagement.

4.  Run a “12 Days of Christmas” Product Drop or Deal Series

Create a multi-day campaign, inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas carol, where each day unlocks a new deal or gift with purchase. It builds anticipation and repeat visits as customers think, “Will today have a new bargain?”. Each day’s new deal will bring customers back and create buzz.

By offering new treats, offers, and prizes every day for 12 days, M&S creates a sense of anticipation and urgency. Customers are motivated to check back daily so they don’t miss out. Each day features different product deals, discounts, or freebies, showcasing M&S’s diverse range and nudging customers toward spontaneous purchases or add-ons.

5. Launch and Promote a Christmas-themed Product

Seasonal exclusives tap into the festive spirit and create urgency through limited availability. Holiday-themed products feel special, drive excitement, and are ideal for gifting or social sharing. These also encourage repeat visits from loyal customers eager to try the latest drop.

McDonald’s UK rolls out a dedicated Christmas Menu each year, featuring limited-edition items like the “Big & Cheesy” burger and festive sides such as Cheese Melt Dippers and Celebrations McFlurry. Promoting these seasonal items through app banners, email, and in-store signage generates buzz and boosts foot traffic. This tactic is ideal for food & beverage brands, but can also apply to beauty, fashion, and home goods.

B. Christmas Sale Ideas Based on Urgency and Conversion Boosters

6. Start Your Promotions Early to Capture Early-Bird Shoppers

Don’t wait until mid-December. Launch holiday deals in October or November to snag budget-conscious shoppers and loyalty members before they spend elsewhere. Offer early access via email or app to your best customers. Early deals can also reward newsletter subscribers with surprise discounts to keep them engaged.

Many shoppers plan and purchase early to avoid stockouts, shipping delays, or last-minute stress. Yumbles caters to this segment by clearly labelling products as “early bird top picks,” giving early shoppers a curated reason to act now. By positioning these items as top picks, it suggests that the best items may sell out, creating urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out), encouraging quicker conversions.

7. Launch a Countdown or Timed Flash Sale

Scarcity and urgency prompt quick decisions. Use limited-time offers and countdown clocks with flash sales to create FOMO. Pairing holiday promotions with countdowns or daily deals keeps customers returning for the next surprise.

The Nykaa “flash sale” format inherently drives urgency. Shoppers know the deal is available only for a short time, which triggers FOMO and pushes faster decision-making. Featuring fragrances, a popular Christmas gift category, makes the promotion highly relevant. The Buy One Get One (BOGO) feels like getting twice the gift for the same spend, which is especially attractive during the holiday season when consumers are buying for multiple people.

8. Provide Express or Same-Day Delivery

Speed is everything during the holiday rush, especially for last-minute shoppers. Offering same-day or express delivery removes a key purchase barrier and captures high-intent buyers who need gifts delivered urgently. 

For instance, the Indian gifting brand IGP promotes Christmas Express Delivery across major cities, promising same-day or next-day gift arrival. This service is prominently featured on their Christmas landing page, along with clear “Express Delivery Available” labels on eligible products, an approach that increases trust and basket size.

9. Remind Customers of Shipping Deadlines

Don’t let gift-givers panic at the last minute. Send timely reminders in email or push notifications of the final dates to ship for on-time delivery. A clear deadline creates urgency and helps close sales from fence-sitters.

By clearly listing the last dates to order for Christmas delivery, the email from Portrait Coffee introduces a real, non-negotiable deadline, motivating shoppers to act before it’s too late. Being upfront about shipping cutoffs builds credibility. It shows the brand respects customer timelines and wants to help them plan better. Customers don’t just want products, they want them to arrive before the 25th. This email speaks directly to that urgency.

Looking to boost your festive email performance? Explore 20 Christmas email marketing ideas with examples to inspire your next campaign.

10. Run Last-Minute Deals for Late Holiday Buyers

Even after shipping cutoffs, there’s still an opportunity. Offer digital products, services, or in-person experiences to capture last-minute shoppers. Why it works: Many consumers wait until the final days before Christmas. Highlight urgency with “last chance” offers on gift cards, express items, or vacation packages.

For example, Westgate Resorts promotes last-minute Christmas vacation packages, offering holiday-themed stays and bundled perks at a discount. This appeals to spontaneous buyers or gifters looking for a memorable experience, even when traditional shipping options are no longer viable.

C. Engagement and Interactive Christmas Sale Promotion Ideas

11. Launch an Advent Calendar

Advent calendars turn holiday shopping into a multi-day experience, offering surprises behind each window leading up to Christmas. They build anticipation, encourage daily interaction, and are highly giftable. They tap into nostalgia and seasonal excitement, making them perfect for social sharing and unboxing content.

For example, e.l.f. Cosmetics offers 12- and 24-day makeup advent calendars, filled with mini bestsellers like lip glosses, highlighters, and skincare items. These calendars are affordable, beautifully packaged, and designed for discovery, giving customers a fun way to sample products. It’s not only a high-appeal gift, but also a powerful upsell tool that drives future full-size purchases. Social media buzz and influencer unboxings further amplify the campaign’s reach and excitement.

12. Host a Christmas Contest or Giveaway

Launch a social contest, such as a photo challenge, share-to-win, hashtag campaign, or a simple giveaway around your brand. Contests boost engagement, user-generated content (UGC), and awareness.

Kica’s Christmas giveaway post on Instagram works because it’s simple to enter, encourages tagging to boost reach, and uses festive visuals that align with the brand. The time-limited offer creates urgency, while the product-filled prize promotes their holiday range. It’s an engaging, shareable tactic that drives visibility, community interaction, and seasonal product discovery.

13. Use Spin-the-Wheel for Gamified Discounts

Turn getting a deal into a game. Games make shopping fun, increase time on site, and reward attention. 60% of consumers are more likely to buy from a gamified site, with conversions up to 7X higher.

The spinning wheel on Cheval Collection’s website turns a routine discount into a mini-game, tapping into users’ curiosity and the thrill of chance. It transforms passive browsing into active engagement. Users receive a reward immediately, whether it’s a room discount or a two-night stay. This quick payoff increases the likelihood of conversion. To spin, users must enter their email, which boosts Cheval Collection’s CRM list and creates an opportunity for follow-up campaigns with tailored offers.

With many hospitality brands vying for holiday travelers, this gamified offer grabs attention, adds urgency, and gives potential guests a compelling reason to choose Cheval over competitors.

14. Provide Loyalty-Based Deals

Exclusive deals for loyalty members reward repeat customers and drive app engagement. Personalizing discounts for loyalty users increases retention and lifetime value, especially when tied to festive themes or limited-time promos.

For example, Target uses Target Circle Deals (Target’s loyalty program) to promote its Favorite Day Santa items with a holiday spin. Members get BOGO and 50% off on select holiday desserts, like festive popsicles, red-white-blue ice creams, and brownie bites. The exclusivity adds value, while the holiday branding increases conversion and basket size during the gifting and entertaining season.

D. Christmas Promotion Ideas that Focus on Brand Experience and Emotional Connection

15. Partner with a Charity 

Tie your promotion to giving. Consumers feel a sense of goodwill when their purchases support a cause. You can donate a portion of holiday sales to charity or match customer contributions. Cause campaigns align your brand with the season’s spirit and can create a strong emotional bond.

IKEA’s Let’s Play for Change campaign centers on children’s well-being, tapping into the emotional core of Christmas that involves family, care, and giving. This resonates powerfully with holiday shoppers who are already in a mindset of generosity. IKEA collaborates with organizations like Save the Children and UNICEF, making it easy for customers to see the social impact of their purchases. The transparency builds trust and goodwill.

IKEA donates a portion of proceeds from select toy and book purchases, turning every transaction into a meaningful act. This incentivizes shoppers to buy with purpose. The company’s focus on play, creativity, and home life fits naturally with the campaign’s theme, ensuring the charitable initiative feels authentic and not like a marketing add-on.

Related reads: 12 creative and effective Christmas marketing campaigns that set brands apart during the holidays.

16. Offer Festive Packaging, Gift Notes, or Wrapping

Holiday-themed packaging (bright colors, ribbons, personalized notes) delights customers and encourages social shares. Many brands add limited-edition holiday boxes or offer free gift wrap. Even small touches like a branded tape, holiday tissue paper, or a handwritten holiday note in shipments can reinforce a warm brand experience.

Starbucks has turned its festive red holiday cup into an annual tradition that builds anticipation and excitement. The holiday cup designs evoke warm, cozy feelings and nostalgic memories, making customers feel part of something bigger, a global holiday ritual. This emotional resonance encourages repeat visits and sharing.

Continue reading: See how leading brands craft compelling holiday ads with 18 Christmas advertisement examples you can learn from.

17. Launch a Christmas Ad Campaign or Video Series

Tell a holiday story with your brand as the hero. Memorable ads that tap into emotional or humorous tunes boost brand affinity and viral sharing. Food brands might create heartwarming holiday commercials, and retailers can produce short social videos.

WestJet’s Christmas miracle: Real Time Giving campaign captures raw reactions of joy and disbelief. It taps into the magic of giving, not just through gifts, but through personalized, thoughtful moments. Unlike staged ads, this video’s authentic customer interactions added believability and emotional depth, blending polished visuals with genuine reactions. It was organically shared across the internet because it resonated with people’s holiday spirit, not because it pushed a product.

18. Update Your Website with a Holiday-Themed Design or Takeover

Give your online store a seasonal makeover. Festive visuals, such as snowflakes, lights, and holiday colors, cue shoppers that it’s peak season. A themed site can boost mood and engagement. Even a Santa-hat logo or snow animation can make a big impact.

Target lands on the list again with its Christmas landing page. It is a great example of a holiday-themed website takeover, featuring festive colors, seasonal graphics, curated gift categories, and promotional messaging tailored for Christmas. This visual and user experience update instantly immerses shoppers in the holiday spirit, aligns with gifting and décor themes, and streamlines product discovery, enhancing emotional connection and boosting engagement.

Best Practices to Maximize Holiday Promotion Performance 

Mentioned below are six common best practices for Christmas promotion.

1. Launch Timing: Plan early and build a schedule of pre-holiday teasers and post-Christmas sales. Remind your audience frequently of upcoming deals and deadlines via different channels.
   
2. Segmentation: Use data to tailor offers by customer behavior, purchase intent, location, and buying history. For example, target new customers with a welcome discount, repeat buyers with loyalty perks, and cart abandoners with a gentle reminder.
   
3. Mix channels wisely: Promote across email, push, in-app, SMS, and paid social. Track which channels drive the most engagement for each segment and campaign. Omnichannel coordination keeps messages consistent and avoids over-emailing.
   
4. Offer clarity: Too many simultaneous deals confuse shoppers. Highlight one compelling offer at a time. For example, if you have a sitewide 20% off, avoid running a separate “free item” promo concurrently unless differentiated.

5. Creative alignment: Ensure your holiday email, web, and social creatives use the same theme and tone. A cohesive story across touchpoints builds recognition.
   
6. Performance Tracking: Track open rates, click-throughs, and conversions early. Use A/B tests to refine subject lines, send times, and visuals. Monitor cohort performance and pivot quickly if something isn’t resonating.

How to Execute Cross-Channel Christmas Promotions Using CleverTap 

CleverTap is an all-in-one customer engagement platform that will help bring your Christmas promotion ideas to life in the following ways:

• CleverTap’s Journey Builder helps you map out a multi-step funnel campaign across channels. For instance, send an email about an exclusive early-access deal to VIP customers, follow it up with an SMS reminder a few days later, and then deliver a push notification alerting them about limited stock. You can also extend the journey to include in-app messages or WhatsApp nudges during peak shopping hours to maintain engagement.
• Audiences can be segmented using RFM analysis (recency, frequency, monetary) or by identifying behavior patterns such as browsing, cart additions, or past purchases. For example, you can target high-intent holiday shoppers who viewed gift items or winter collections in the past 7 days. With CleverTap, these segments update in real-time, allowing you to stay ahead of your users’ intent and actions.

• Campaigns can be set up based on real-time trigger events, such as cart abandonment product page views, or wishlist additions. For instance, a customer who viewed winter coats on your e-commerce site can immediately receive a push notification or an email with “Complete the look” gift suggestions that include scarves or gloves, making your outreach both timely and contextual.
  
• Personalize promotions using Dynamic Product Messaging and user attributes to embed product images, names, prices, and discounts tailored to each customer. You can dynamically insert user names, locations, loyalty tiers, or even content based on behavioral preferences—ensuring every push or email feels like a one-on-one message instead of a mass promotion.
  
• Run A/B or multivariate tests on subject lines, headlines, images, CTAs, or offer values to optimize engagement. CleverTap lets you experiment within your live journeys, and once a winning variation is detected, it can automatically route traffic to the best-performing version in real time.
  
• Monitor performance throughout the season with unified campaign and cohort dashboards. Measure click-throughs, conversions, retention, and drop-offs across all your channels. You can also dig into granular insights using funnels and pivot analysis to identify high-value segments or drop-off points in your holiday sales flow.
  
• Re-engage customers post-holiday with automated win-back and retention journeys. For example, send a heartfelt thank-you email in January with a message like, “We miss you – here’s 20% off your next purchase,” and drive them back to your app or website for new season sales.

CleverTap ties together email, push, in-app, WhatsApp, and SMS campaigns with real-time intelligence and fine-grained targeting—making it possible to run complex, full-funnel Christmas promotions effortlessly. Whether your goal is boosting conversions, increasing retention, or maximizing customer lifetime value, CleverTap ensures you can execute at scale, with precision, and speed.

Choose the Promotions That Align With Your Brand Goals 

Not every idea will fit every brand, so pick the tactics that match your products, audience, and voice. A toy store might prioritize playful gamification, while a charity-minded brand could focus on donations. 

The key is to blend creativity with convenience to make shopping easy and exciting, and customers will remember your brand long after the holidays. Track your results and learn what resonated, so each Christmas you can create even more joy and revenue with your campaigns.

Ready to bring your holiday vision to life? Try CleverTap and turn festive ideas into measurable success.