The 12 Days of Marketing Magic:
Festive Tips for your
Business
December is here, and with it comes a wealth of opportunities to connect with your audience, spread joy, and boost your brands presence during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.
To help you make the most of the festive period, we've created 'The 12 Days of Christmas: Marketing Magic'. Each 'day' is packed with practical, creative tips you can implement to make your business stand out this Christmas.
Day 1: A Clear Holiday Strategy
Before diving into any campaign, take the time to develop a clear strategy for the season. Define your primary goals: are you looking to increase sales, attract new customers, or simply build goodwill with your audience? Create a timeline of your planned activities and campaigns, making sure to include key dates such as Christmas shipping deadlines, peaking shopping days, and any seasonal sales events you’re hosting.
Don’t forget to budget effectively, ensuring you allocate resources for ads, promotions, and content creation. A clear roadmap will keep you focused and ensure your efforts deliver results.
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Day 2: Festive Branding Makeover
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A touch of holiday spirit can transform your branding and create a joyful atmosphere for your customers. Consider giving your logo or social media profile pictures a festive twist - think snowflakes, Santa hats, or twinkling lights. Update your website banners and landing pages with seasonal imagery, like cozy fireplaces, Christmas trees, or frosty scenes.
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If you use physical packaging, incorporate holiday designs or festive messages. These small changes help your brand feel relevant and festive, creating a stronger emotional connection with your audience.
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Day 3: Holiday Hashtags
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Hashtags are a simple yet effective way to amplify your seasonal campaigns on social media. Create your own branded hashtag, like #HolidayJoyWith[YourBusiness], or use popular ones like #12DaysOfChristmas, #FestiveDeals, and #HolidayShopping.
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Encourage your audience to use your hashtags in their posts by creating a challenge, contest, or giveaway. For example, you could ask customers to share photos of how they’re using your products during the holidays. User-generated content not only increases engagement but also serves as authentic promotion for your brand.
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Day 4: Seasonal Shopping
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The holidays are a time of storytelling, so use this to your advantage in your marketing. Share heartwarming tales about your business, employees, or customers that align with the festive spirit. For example, highlight how your team celebrates Christmas or showcase any charitable initiatives you’re involved with during the season.
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You can also create fictional holiday-themed narratives around your products or services. For instance, a cafe might share ‘The Tale of the Magical Hot Chocolate’, while a fashion brand could highlight ‘The Coat That Saved Christmas’. These stories captivate your audience and keep them emotionally invested in your brand.
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Day 5: Gift-Giving Campaigns
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Tap into the season of giving by positioning your offerings as ideal holiday gifts. Curate gift guides tailored to specific audiences, such as ‘Top Gifts for Foodies’ or ‘Perfect Presents Under £50’.
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Bundle complementary products together at a discounted price to make gift-buying even easier for your customers. I’d you offer services, consider creating holiday vouchers or limited-time packages. And don’t overlook last-minute shoppers - promote digital gift cards as a stress-free solution.
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Day 6: Email Campaign Cheer
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Email marketing is a powerful tool to reach your audience directly, and the festive season is the perfect time to add a little cheer to your campaigns. Use eye-catching holiday-themed templates and craft subject lies that evoke excitement, like ‘Unwrap Exclusive Christmas Deals!’.
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Share exclusive promotions, gift guides, and holiday tips through your email newsletters. Personalisation can make a big difference - address customers by name and suggest products based on their previous purchases. A well-crafted holiday email campaign can help nurture customer relationships and drive sales.
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Day 7: Collaborate for Christmas
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Partnering with other businesses or influencers can amplify your reach and bring fresh ideas to your holiday campaigns. Collaborate with a complimentary brand to create a joint promotion, such as bundled products or co-branded giveaways.
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Influencer partnerships can also add value. Find influencers whose audience aligns with your target market and work with them to create authentic content that showcases your products in a festive setting. Collaborative efforts help you tap into new audiences while sharing the workload.
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Day 8: Festive Video Content
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Videos are one of the most engaging forms of content, especially during the holidays. Create short, festive clips that resonate with your audience. Ideas include a behind-the-scenes look at how your team is preparing for the season, a tutorial for using your products as part of holiday traditions, or a heartfelt message thanking your customers for their support.
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Don’t shy away from humour, nostalgia, or emotion - these are key ingredients for memorable holiday videos. Share your creations on social media, YouTube, and your website to maximise your impact.
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Day 9: Countdown to Christmas Offers
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Build anticipation and encourage purchases by offering countdown deals in the lead-up to Christmas. For example, you could run a ‘12 Days of Deals’ promotion, revealing a new discount or freebie each day.
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Limited-time offers create a sense of urgency, prompting customers to act quickly. Use social media and email to keep your audience updated and engaged throughout the countdown.
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Day 10: Social Media Sleigh Ride
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Social media is buzzing during the holidays, so make sure your platforms are brimming with festive content. Post engaging content such as holiday-themed polls, quizzes, or photo challenges. For example, you could ask your followers to share their favourite Christmas traditions or vote on the best holiday movie.
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Host a contest or giveaway to boost engagement, offering a prize that ties into your brand. And don’t forget to interact with your audience - respond to comments, share user-generated content, and spread holiday cheer through your channels.
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Day 11: Holiday ‘Thank You’ Notes
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The holiday season is a time for gratitude, so take the opportunity to thank your customers, employees, and partners. Send personalised messages expressing your appreciation for their support throughout the year.
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Handwritten cards, festive emails, or thoughtful social media posts can all be effective. A simple thank-you can go a long way in building loyalty and strengthening relationships.
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Day 12: Plan for the New Year
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As the year comes to a close, start setting your sights on the future. Reflect on what worked well in your 2024 marketing campaigns and identify areas for improvement. Use December to outline your goals and strategies for 2025, ensuring you hit the ground running in January.
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Planning ahead gives you a head start and sets the tone for a successful year to come.
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With these 12 tips, your business is ready to make the holiday season magical! Implementing even a few of these ideas can help you create meaningful connections with your audience and finish the year on a high note.
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Happy Holidays!