7 Christmas Marketing Ideas to Light Up Your Sales This Holiday Season

The holidays are the perfect time for your restaurants and retail stores to add a touch of Christmas magic to your marketing efforts. Customers are out in full force, ready to indulge, gift, and celebrate.

With everyone vying for their attention, how can your business stand out? Here are some creative Christmas marketing ideas to increase your sales, bring in customers, and spread holiday cheer.  

1. Deck Your Halls and Go Digital with It  

Decorating your space for Christmas goes without saying. But why stop at tinsel and fairy lights? Create a winter wonderland experience that’s worth snapping and sharing. You can craft cozy corners with candles and festive table settings in your restaurants. 

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If your restaurant also serves alcohol or you have liquor stores, you might set up a holiday cocktail sampling station under mistletoe. Interactive holiday displays or a giant ornament wall make excellent promotional ideas for retail stores.  

OneHubPOS can track sales of festive-themed items like holiday cocktails or Christmas products, even if you have Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) or retail stores at multiple locations. You can easily promote bestsellers as part of your campaign.  

2. Holiday Specials: Bundle Up for Bigger Sales  

Who doesn’t love a great deal during the holidays? It’s the perfect way to attract customers! 

For example:

• Restaurants and food trucks can offer a ‘Holiday Feast for Four’ takeout menu, featuring lentil loaf, roasted vegetables, chocolate avocado mousse, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a dessert platter–ready to heat and serve.
• Liquor stores can curate a festive cocktail kit: mini bottles of spirits, mixers, garnishes, and recipe cards for holiday favorites like martinis or mulled wine.
• Retail stores can bundle a cozy winter set: a wool scarf, matching gloves, and a hot chocolate mix, wrapped in festive packaging.

Make it convenient for customers to purchase these deals, whether in-store or through mobile ordering. Use your restaurant POS or retail POS to identify your top-performing items. Then, bundle them together for irresistible offers through menu management capabilities.  

3. Run a “12 Days of Christmas” Campaign  

Unveiling a new deal or feature each day for 12 days can build anticipation and excitement. 

• Feature "Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberry Glaze" on Monday, "Peppermint Hot Cocoa" on Tuesday, and a "Gingerbread Cheesecake" dessert special on Wednesday.
• Offer 20% off sweaters on Day 1, a buy-one-get-one deal on candles on Day 2, and discounted jewelry on Day 3.
• Highlight a premium red wine on Day 1, a cranberry mocktail kit on Day 2, and a holiday gin cocktail kit on Day 3.

Promote these deals through email marketing and social media. Ensure your softPOS solution can handle the daily updates and track inventory in real-time.  

4. Gift Card Giveaways and Discounts  

Gift cards strike the perfect balance between practicality and personalization. That’s why they could be a go-to holiday gift. Sweeten the deal for your customers in the following ways:  

• Offer a bonus card for every $50 spent on gift cards. For instance, “Buy $50, Get $10 Free!”  
• Promote gift cards as the perfect gift for foodies.  
• Highlight them as an excellent way to let recipients choose their favorite holiday drink.

Set up gift card sales through your cloud-based POS solution and monitor the redemption rates for post-holiday promotions.  

5. Host Holiday Events  

Invite customers to unforgettable holiday experiences. You can host the following holiday events:

• Festive Christmas dinner, offering seasonal dishes like roasted Wellington, stuffed squash, and winter salads
• A holiday cocktail-making class featuring festive, alcohol-free cocktails and mocktails.
• Christmas cookie decorating workshop, decorating gingerbread or sugar cookies with creative, holiday-themed designs
• DIY holiday wreath-making class, where attendees can craft their own Christmas wreaths using seasonal flowers and greenery
• Cheese and wine pairing evening that highlights a variety of cheeses paired with wines or mocktails
• Holiday-themed crafting workshop, where your customers can make personalized ornaments, festive cards, or holiday decorations
• Baking classes, teaching attendees how to create holiday desserts like fruitcakes, pies, and cupcakes
• Christmas tea party featuring a variety of teas, scones, and finger sandwiches with delicious fillings  

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Pro Tip: Leverage your POS system to upsell by offering exclusive discounts to attendees during the event.

6. Encourage Festive Reviews  

Positive reviews can drive holiday traffic, so why not make it fun? Ask your customers to share their experiences in exchange for something special.  

• QSRs can offer a free dessert or drink for leaving a review.  
• Retail stores might enter customers into a gift card draw for sharing their feedback.  
• Liquor stores could provide discounts on their next purchase for a detailed review.  

Simplify the process by integrating it into your POS system—send automated emails or receipts featuring a review QR code.  

7. Create a Social Media Countdown  

Create buzz leading up to Christmas with an interactive social media countdown using #CountdownToChristmas. Here’s how:

• Share behind-the-scenes clips of your holiday preparations.
• Offer daily tips, such as cocktail recipes, gift ideas, or table-setting hacks.  
• Encourage customers to share their own holiday moments using a branded hashtag. 

Highlight these posts to build community engagement while promoting your small business organically.  

Bonus Tip: Streamline the Checkout Experience  

Long lines are inevitable during the Christmas rush, but they don’t have to dampen the festive spirit. Use OneHubPOS to make your payment and checkout procedure simpler:  

• Add mPOS or tablet-based checkout stations to reduce wait times.  
• Use your handheld POS system to suggest upsells like gift wrap or seasonal add-ons.  
• If you offer takeout or delivery, you should integrate online orders directly into your system to ensure smooth operations.  

Seamless checkouts and contactless payment options leave a lasting positive impression. It further encourages repeat visits and customer loyalty.  

The Holiday Magic Is Yours to Make  

With creativity and strategic use of your mobile POS system, the holidays can become a time of booming sales and memorable customer experiences. Whether you’re serving a festive feast, selling the perfect gift, or helping customers stock up on holiday cheer, these ideas will help you spread joy and bring people through your doors. What’s your first step? Perhaps it’s launching a gift card promotion or adding twinkling lights to your space

Whatever you choose, embrace the spirit of the season with OneHubPOS. Manage promotions, track inventory, and offer smooth checkout experiences. Make this season your most successful yet— with OneHubPOS