Ultimate Guide to Holiday Marketing: Strategies, Ideas, and Tips to Success

Welcome to your ultimate guide to mastering holiday marketing!

Each year, the festive season presents a unique opportunity for eCommerce businesses to boost sales, with consumers eager to splurge on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas. In this guide, we'll explore top-notch strategies and creative holiday marketing ideas.

Plus, we'll show how tools can turbocharge your Shopify store's performance during these peak seasons.

Key eCommerce holidays to target

List of important holidays in the final quarter of 2024

The year's final quarter is crucial for retailers, featuring several key shopping holidays. Understanding the target audience and consumer behavior for each can significantly enhance your holiday marketing strategies.

Source: Selfnamed.com

Here’s your guide to the key dates and insights into the buying patterns during this bustling season:

• 9 Black Friday Marketing Strategies No One Tells You About
• Best-Selling Products to Stock Your Store on Black Friday Cyber Monday
• 5 Best Global Commerce Practices for BFCM Success

Tailor your holiday marketing strategies to meet the expectations and behaviors of each target audience. Recognizing these patterns can help you craft more effective promotions, enhancing both customer engagement and sales.

Download eCommerce holiday calendar 2025

Timing your promotions around these holidays can significantly amplify your store's visibility and sales volume.

So, integrate our eCommerce holiday calendar and turn on your notifications to be alarmed and prepare ahead and win the best holiday sales for the entire year.

👉👉 Download your eCommerce Holiday Calendar by FoxEcom 👈👈

Understanding holiday consumer behaviors

The holiday season triggers distinct shopping behaviors compared to the rest of the year.

Various factors, including increased promotional activity, seasonal demands, and a festive mindset, contribute to these differences. Understanding these shifts can empower retailers to tailor your holiday marketing strategies effectively.

Increased spending

Reasons for increased spending

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau compiled by the National Retail Federation, holiday sales increased by 3.8% year over year to reach $964.4 billion in 2023.

In contrast, average monthly retail sales outside of these months typically show more conservative spending patterns, with necessities taking precedence over discretionary purchases.

Source: JBResearch - Good to Know

What are the reasons?

• Promotions and discounts: The holidays are in sync with sales and promotions, which are rarely as aggressive as other times of the year.
• Gift-giving traditions: Cultural and social obligations to purchase gifts for friends and family drive a significant portion of the spending.
• End-of-year bonuses: Many consumers receive end-of-year bonuses, which they often use for holiday shopping.

Consumer spending significantly spikes during the holiday season. As consumers spent on gifts and celebrations even after enduring a prolonged period of higher prices, affected by inflation.

2024 Holiday sales forecast

Although merchants are willing to spend more on peak season, holiday sales in 2024 are projected to remain stable.

According to a Salsify survey on Consumer Behavior during the holiday season, about 65% of holiday shoppers plan to spend about the same as last year, despite some expressed anxiety about broader economic headwinds.

The economy continues to be a worry in everyday expenses, with 21% intending to reduce their spending compared to last year. However, when it comes to holiday gifts, consumers are more at ease with their usual spending patterns.

Source: Sasify

Merchants shopping behavior

Early shopping trends

27% of shoppers start buying holiday gifts as early as October — before most brands and retailers kick off their seasonal promotions.

This trend is driven by the desire to avoid last-minute stress and the appeal of early deals offered by retailers eager to kick-start the season's sales.

Source: Salsify

Self-gifting

Modern holiday shoppers shop early, they spend wisely — and 61% will add a little something to their cart to treat themselves.

Source: Salsify

Self-gifting has become a notable trend, with many shoppers using holiday sales to treat themselves. This behavior peaks during key sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, where high-value items are often significantly discounted.

Shopping channels

Online shopping continues to dominate, especially during major sale events. Consumers appreciate the convenience and often find better deals online than in-store.

Source: Ship station

While online sales grow, many still prefer the in-store experience for certain purchases, especially those that require a 'try before you buy' approach.

In contrast, some plan to research for holiday gift ideas online before visiting retail stores.

Source: Salsify

Impulse purchase

The holiday season sees a spike in impulse purchases as consumers are more likely to buy on a whim when faced with holiday sales and promotions. Retailers can encourage such behavior by strategically placing impulse buy items near checkout areas both in-store and online.

Source: Think with Google

Product category focus

Top holiday gift ideas according to the Salsify report include Fashion and Apparel, Personal Care and Beauty, Electronics, Food and Beverage, etc.

Source: Salsify

Followed by other product categories that thrive during peak seasons, including Decoration, Grocery, and Cooking-related products.

• Festive decorations: Significant sales in home décor items that cater to the season.
• Luxury items: Increased spending on luxury goods as consumers enjoy high-end purchases for both gifting and self-use.
• Essentials: Grocery and cooking-related products see a rise as families prepare for holiday meals.

Consumer sentiment and expectations

During the holiday season, consumer sentiment and expectations shift toward optimism and urgency. Shoppers are looking for the perfect gifts and the best shopping experience. Understanding these emotional and practical needs can help retailers design more effective holiday strategies.

According to the Salsify survey, there are several types of shoppers::

• 36% of shoppers are Bargain Hunters
• 32% of shoppers are Research Mavens
• 13% of shoppers are Luxury Lovers
• 7% of shoppers are Impulse Buyers
• 4% of shoppers are Brand Loyalists
• 3% said they're Swayable Shoppers

Each shopper type has their important values that drive them to their shopping decisions:

• Bargain Hunters: Savings, discounts, and value
• Luxury Lovers: Prestige, exclusivity, product quality
• Research Mavens: Product information, ratings and reviews
• Impulse Buyers: Instant gratification, novelty, and convenience
• Brand Loyalists: Brand trust, brand identity, and product quality
• Swayable Shoppers: Product features, product variety, and ratings and reviews

Exceptional shopping experiences that include helpful product information and compelling brand stories are essential for meeting the diverse needs of different types of shoppers.

👀 Further Reading:

• Best Strategies for Social Retail and Social Commerce in BFCM 2024
• BFCM 2024: Best Buy Now Pay Later Practices For High Conversions
• Top 5 BFCM Marketing Ideas to Drive Sales During the Holiday Season
• Top 6 Sales Strategies To Win Big BFCM 2024 With Examples

Holiday marketing strategies, tips and ideas

Holiday marketing strategies

Email marketing

Email marketing remains a powerhouse in eCommerce, touted as the most profitable direct marketing channel.

During the holiday season, email marketing sees a significant surge in performance, particularly for eCommerce businesses. In 2023, automated emails played a critical role, accounting for an 18.7% increase in Q4 orders.

Here's how you can make the most of email marketing strategies:

• Segmentation: Tailor your messages to different customer segments based on their previous interactions and buying behaviors. This personal touch ensures that your emails resonate more deeply with recipients, potentially increasing engagement and conversions.
• Holiday themes: Employ festive email templates that capture the holiday spirit. A visually appealing email that embodies the joy and excitement of the season can keep your audience engaged and looking forward to your offerings.
• Exclusive deals: Provide your loyal customers with special offers or early access to sales. This not only rewards them for their loyalty but also incentivizes them to make purchases during the holiday rush.

Here’s a compelling example from a leading retailer's holiday email campaign:

Source: weMail

This email communicates the event, the discount offered, and the duration of the sale, making it easy for the recipients to understand the value being provided.

You can optimize it by adding personalized elements such as the recipient's name and offering an exclusive early access code, enhancing the sense of urgency and exclusivity.

By leveraging these strategies, you can create persuasive email campaigns that capture attention and drive sales during the most lucrative time of the year for retailers.

📚 Read more about email marketing:

• Black Friday Email Subject Lines: High Open-Rate Templates & Examples!
• 8 Marketing Automation Strategies to Leverage Shopify Success

🎁 Expert Tips and Gifts:

Apply automation in the email holiday marketing campaigns to reduce workload during peak season and boost engagement with omnichannel marketing modules:

• AiT: Loyalty Program, Email: Enjoy 20% OFF for 1 Year!
• Omnisend Email Marketing & SMS: Get 10% OFF

SEO for the holidays

SEO plays a pivotal role in driving visibility and traffic during the festive season, a time when consumer search behavior spikes dramatically.

According to the 2023 Holiday Consumer Behavior Report, 21.67% of shoppers said they would browse Google and the internet for gift ideas, and of those, 9.51% are likely to make purchases directly from individual brand websites. These metrics highlight the critical importance of getting your brand in front of your target audience.

Maximizing your SEO efforts is crucial to winning customers during the holiday season. Ensure your website ranks high in search results and captures the attention of shoppers actively seeking gift ideas online.

Question asked: Where do you typically get your gift ideas?

Source: Justuno

Here are some fail-proof tips to boost your holiday SEO strategy:

• Keyword optimization: Identify and integrate seasonal keywords that your target audience is searching for during the holidays. Terms like "best Black Friday deals" or "unique Christmas gifts" can attract highly motivated shoppers to your site.
• Seasonal content: Develop content that addresses specific holiday needs, such as gift guides, holiday preparation tips, and festive recipes. This content not only improves SEO but also adds value to your audience, keeping them engaged.
• Local SEO: For physical stores, optimizing for local search can drive significant foot traffic. Include geo-specific keywords and update your Google My Business listing to ensure you're visible to shoppers searching in your area.

👀 Read More:

• Best eCommerce SEO Audit Checklist: 12 Important Factors
• Using eCommerce SEO and PPC to Attract More Customers
• Gift with Purchase: Free Holiday Gifts Guide on Shopify to Grow Revenue
• 4 Inspiring Valentine’s Gift Guide Examples and Actionable Tips to Boost Sales

🎁 Expert Tips and Gift

To convert your customers directly on your website, create materials on your storefront like a holiday-special landing page to make the deal more appealing and encourage customers to buy more quickly. Consider using Foxify Smart page builder to create a captivating landing page to promote your special deals for the holiday season.

Foxify - the first-ever Shopify Visual builder is a good choice for you to quickly create a peak-season landing page that drives traffic and sales.

• Ease of use: Drag-and-drop editor that requires no coding skills.
• Design flexibility: Over 100+ professional templates to choose from.
• Conversion focused: Optimized for sales and conversion enhancement.
• Efficiency: Streamline your page-building process, saving time and resources

More than that, if you're new to creating a sale landing page, Foxify has ready-to-use templates that help you build your page quickly and easily.

👀 You might also like:

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• 4 Holiday Website Design Tips to Boost Customer Engagement

Social media engagement

Social media platforms are not just for sharing, but they have become essential for driving sales and engaging consumers, especially during the holiday season. The market size of social commerce is expected to reach 2.9 trillion US dollars by 2026. Additionally, digital buyers in Gen X, Gen Z, and Millennials are likely to increase their online shopping in the future.

Source: Tidio

Platforms like TikTok have seen a 190% increase in holiday shopping videos from the week before to the week after Halloween, demonstrating their role in sparking early holiday shopping excitement​.

Moreover, Instagram continues to maintain high engagement rates, which are about 4 times higher than those on Facebook, highlighting its potential for reaching and engaging audiences effectively during the holiday season. This is particularly important as marketers plan to increase their investment in Instagram, recognizing its potential to reach consumers effectively.

Source: Sprout Social

To enhance your holiday marketing strategy:

• Holiday-themed posts: Create content that reflects the festive season with visually appealing graphics and engaging captions that resonate with the holiday spirit.
• Interactive features: Utilize Instagram polls, Facebook live sessions, and Twitter Q&As to engage directly with your audience. These interactions can increase your reach and deepen customer relationships.
• User-generated content (UGC): Encourage your followers to share their own holiday stories or photos featuring your products. This not only provides you with authentic content but also increases trust among your audience.

By focusing on these targeted strategies, you can effectively amplify your social media presence and engage more deeply with your audience during the holiday season.

📚 Further Reading:

• Best Strategies for Social Retail and Social Commerce in BFCM 2024
• The Ultimate Guide to Use UGC on Your Shopify Store

Paid advertising

Paid advertising during the holiday season is a proven strategy for increasing visibility and driving sales, with ad spend and consumer engagement peaking during these crucial shopping periods.

During the holidays, there are increases in sales factors:

• Ad impressions typically rise 50%
• Click-through rates go up 100%
• Direct traffic increases 150%
• Average order value grows by 30%

Effective paid advertising strategies include:

• Targeted campaigns: Using detailed audience segmentation to ensure ads are shown to users most likely to convert.
• Dynamic and retargeting ads: Leveraging user behavior to show relevant products, which can increase conversion rates by up to 60%.

This helps ensure that ads reach the right people at the right time, leading to a significant increase in holiday sales.

Use Shopify to implement all-in-one holiday marketing strategies

If you're planning to launch an online store and make a memorable entrance just in time to leverage holiday sales, we highly recommend using Shopify.

Why Shopify?

It’s the most efficient and quickest way to create and sell products online. In just one month, you can have everything set up, from business operations to holiday marketing strategies that drive both sales and a loyal customer base. Here's how Shopify can help you get there:

• No coding needed, ready-to-use themes: Shopify offers over a hundred themes—both free and premium. While some free themes might require coding to customize fully, you can get the $88 Minimog theme for free when you start your Shopify journey through our referral link! Click the banner to learn more.
• Built-in apps for sales and marketing: With Shopify, you can boost sales with built-in marketing tools. Easily integrate your social media, CMS platforms, and other marketing channels for a seamless sales process right at your fingertips.
• User-friendly, all-in-one eCommerce platform: Shopify simplifies not only selling and marketing but also fulfillment and shipping, allowing you to manage the entire business smoothly. You remain in full control, ensuring every aspect of your business is connected and running efficiently.

Don’t miss out on the holiday rush! Get started today with Shopify today, enjoy your free Minimog theme, and take advantage of a 3-day trial to kickstart your success this peak season.

Creative holiday marketing campaign ideas

Create engaging promotions

To capture the holiday spirit and drive traffic, create themed promotion materials like vibrant pop-ups, sales landing pages, and dynamic scrolling promotions.

Source: Adoric

These visual elements can be themed with festive graphics and interactive components that resonate with the holiday cheer, making your store not only visually appealing but also functionally engaging.

If you need to create eye-catching pop-ups or scrolling promotions? Consider FoxKit - All-in-one Shopify Sales Boost app.

With FoxKit, you can create:

• Sales notifications to announce browsers about your promotion
• Pop-ups to capture customer attention, and you can trigger the pop-up at strategic times for the best conversion
• Product bundles to cross-sell other products
• Free shipping goal to up-sell, encourage shoppers to buy more and get a free shipping code.

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• Limited-time offer – Deal expires on 12/24/2024
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Act now to gear up your Shopify store for the holiday season and watch your profits soar!

Loyalty Program

Enhance your loyalty program with VIP tiers, special rewards, and exclusive membership also a good idea to boost holiday sales, parallel with retaining customers.

You can refer to these holiday marketing ideas:

• Holiday bonus points: During the festive season, offer double or triple reward points for purchases made within a certain time frame. This creates urgency while rewarding loyal customers for engaging with your brand.
• VIP segments: Introduce different membership levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum) that unlock as customers spend more during the holidays. Each tier can offer better rewards, such as exclusive products, faster shipping, or special discounts.
• Refer-a-friend campaigns: Launch a holiday-themed referral program where loyal customers receive extra points or rewards for bringing in new customers

🎁 Expert gifts:

Leverage FoxEcom partner deals to seamlessly create loyalty programs that win customers' trust today:

• Growave: Boost Customer Loyalty and Repeat Purchases - 20% OFF forever
• BON Loyalty, Rewards & Referrals: Turn One-time Buyers into Repeat Purchasers with Powerful Points, Rewards, Referrals and VIP Program - 10% OFF
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Limited time offers

Create urgency with limited-time offers. Flash sales, exclusive item releases, or limited-stock notifications can effectively drive quick conversions.

See how FoxKit helps set up urgent promotions that push shoppers to make purchases faster.

• Flash Sales

• Limited Stock Notifications

Interactive content

Engage your audience with interactive content such as quizzes, polls, lucky wheels, and interactive videos.

• Quizzes: Offer product recommendation quizzes like “Find Your Perfect Gift” to guide users toward purchases and boost conversions.
• Polls: Run quick polls to gather insights and involve your customers in decisions, like choosing the next product to discount.
• Interactive videos: Let customers click on featured products in videos for a more immersive experience.
• Lucky wheels: Add gamification with spin-to-win wheels, another way to bring your customers hot deals.

📚 Learn more about holiday marketing ideas:

• Fresh Spring Marketing Ideas to Bloom Your Sales
• Halloween Marketing Ideas: Trick-or-Treat to Online Sales Success in 2024
• Top 5 BFCM Marketing Ideas to Drive Sales During the Holiday Season

Holiday marketing tips for a memorable campaign

To maximize your success during the festive season, it’s crucial to implement well-thought-out holiday marketing campaigns that resonate with your target audience.

Create a holiday marketing plan

Every marketing campaign needs a plan. Even for major sales events, having a plan is crucial. It helps to define goals, set timelines, and track the effectiveness of your activities. You can then optimize your plan if it's not performing as expected.

• Set clear goals: Define what you want to achieve (e.g., increased sales, more customer engagement) and set measurable targets.
• Plan campaign timelines: Start your campaigns early to capture early shoppers and sustain momentum through Christmas and New Year’s.
• Use data and analytics: Analyze past holiday campaigns to see what worked and optimize based on performance metrics.

Incorporate catchy holiday slogans

Crafting the perfect holiday slogan can create an emotional connection with your audience, setting the tone for your entire marketing campaign. A catchy and festive tagline captures the holiday spirit, enhances brand recognition, and motivates customers to engage with your promotions.

Whether you're running a special offer, launching a holiday product line, or spreading festive cheer, a memorable slogan can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Create festive and memorable taglines like these brands:

• McDonald’s, “Are you #ReindeerReady?”
• Starbucks, “Carry the merry”
• Macy's "Believe in the Magic of Christmas"

These slogans tie in with the festive spirit, making the holiday marketing campaign more relatable and exciting.

Leverage holiday puns for marketing

Using puns in your holiday marketing content is an excellent way to add a playful, lighthearted touch to your campaigns. Puns not only capture attention but also bring a sense of fun and creativity to your brand message, making it more memorable. During the festive season, consumers are often in a joyful and upbeat mood, and incorporating clever wordplay can enhance engagement while keeping your content relevant and relatable.

Using puns is a fun way to engage your audience. Some catchy holiday puns could be:

• “Have a elfing good time shopping!”
• “Yule Love Our Discounts!”
• “Sleigh the Deals This Season!”

Puns are a staple in holiday marketing slogans because they make them fun, catchy, and easy to remember. Short, clever wordplay can turn an ordinary slogan into something shareable and memorable, helping your brand stand out and even go viral. By incorporating puns, you add a playful twist that resonates with customers and keeps your brand top of mind during the festive season.

Takeaways: Holiday marketing checklist

The holiday season is crucial for boosting sales and customer engagement. To maximize holiday success, use a well-rounded marketing strategy—personalized emails, SEO, social media engagement, and omnichannel integration—Shopify makes it easy to implement these strategies and manage your entire business in one place.

To ensure you're fully prepared for the holiday rush, don’t leave your marketing to chance. Download free holiday marketing checklist—packed with actionable tips and strategies to help you plan ahead and maximize your holiday success. From social media campaigns to last-minute sales tactics, this checklist covers everything you need to make this season your most profitable yet. Don’t miss out—get your guide today and stay ahead of the competition!