The Christmas season presents a unique opportunity for small businesses to shine. Whether you’re hoping to boost end-of-year sales, strengthen your brand presence, or simply spread a little joy to your community, holiday marketing can make all the difference. At Dogwood, we see December as one of the most creative times of the year. A moment when strategic storytelling, thoughtful design, and intentional online engagement can help your brand stand out. If you’re ready to finish the year strong, here are five holiday marketing ideas to help your business truly sleigh the season.
Create Festive, Shareable Social Media Content
If there is ever a month when people are online sharing memories, shopping for gifts, and looking for inspiration, it’s December. This makes Christmas the perfect time to launch a festive social media campaign. Consider posting holiday-themed graphics, video messages from your team, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of how your business celebrates Christmas. Reels and short-form videos tend to perform exceptionally well during the holidays. Think quick gift guides, fun employee spotlights, or a “12 Days of Christmas” tip series related to your industry.
To maximize engagement, encourage users to generate their own content. Ask customers to share photos featuring your products, tag your business, or participate in a seasonal challenge. Not only does this broaden your reach, but it also helps foster community while keeping your brand front and center during the busiest digital month of the year.
Refresh Your Website With Holiday Messaging
Minor updates to your website can have a significant impact. Adding a holiday banner, creating a Christmas-themed landing page, or updating your homepage with festive imagery can signal to visitors that your business is active, engaged, and ready to help them during the season. If you offer holiday services or special promotions, ensure they are visible above the fold so customers can see them immediately.
This is also a prime time to review your site for performance issues. A slow or outdated website can cause frustrated shoppers to click away, especially during the holiday rush. Dogwood often sees December as a perfect moment to run speed tests, update important pages, and enhance SEO before the new year begins. A quick refresh now sets you up for stronger performance in January and beyond.
Launch a Holiday Email Campaign
Email remains one of the highest-converting marketing tools available, and Christmas provides the perfect excuse to re-engage your list. A well-crafted email can effectively highlight holiday promotions, express year-end gratitude, or direct subscribers to helpful resources.
Consider sending a series of emails leading up to Christmas, such as:
- A holiday gift guide
- A year-in-review message
- A “last chance” reminder for seasonal discounts
- A New Year preview of what your business is launching next
Personalization goes a long way here. Even small touches, such as using a subscriber’s name or segmenting your list based on behaviors, can dramatically improve performance. And don’t forget to keep your design mobile-friendly; most holiday emails are opened on phones while people shop, travel, or relax with family.
Offer Holiday Specials or Limited-Time Packages
Everyone loves a good deal during the Christmas season, and limited-time offers naturally create a sense of urgency. Whether you run a service-based business or sell physical products, holiday bundles, discounts, and exclusive packages can boost end-of-year sales. Even nonprofits and community organizations can take advantage of the season by offering themed fundraising opportunities or gift-worthy experiences.
If your business offers gift cards, now is the time to spotlight them. Gift cards are one of the easiest ways to increase December revenue, and they allow customers to share your business with friends and family. Pair them with a festive digital design or printable card to make them even more appealing.
Share a Heartfelt Christmas Message From Your Team
At the end of the day, Christmas marketing isn’t just about promotions, it’s about connection. A genuine holiday message from your business can strengthen relationships and remind customers why they trust your brand. This could be a short video, a blog post, a carousel of team photos, or even a simple graphic wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
Consider reflecting on the past year, thanking your customers, and sharing a little hope or inspiration for the year ahead. These messages are often some of the most engaging pieces of content a business posts all year because they resonate on a personal level.
What Next?
Holiday marketing ideas don’t have to be complicated to be effective. With thoughtful planning, creative execution, and consistency across your digital platforms, your business can stand out during the most festive time of the year. Whether you focus on social media, email, your website, or simple heartfelt messaging, the goal is the same: connect with your audience and spread a little cheer. And if you need help implementing any of these ideas, the team at Dogwood is here to help your business sleigh the season and step confidently into the new year.
