🎁 Holiday Promo Ideas for Small Businesses (Steal These!)
The holidays are coming in hot—like peppermint lattes and inboxes full of discount codes. Your customers are shopping, scrolling, and screenshotting. So if you’re a small business looking to sleigh this season (yes, we went there), it’s time to launch a promo that’s festive, fun, and totally doable.
At Conner Strategies, we believe holiday marketing should feel like a warm hug, not a stress spiral. So here’s your cheat sheet of promo ideas that are easy to run, hard to resist, and designed to make your brand the gift that keeps on giving.
🛋️ 1. Cozy Home Contest
What it is: Ask followers to share their best winter comfort tip—like their go-to tea, blanket, or “I refuse to leave the couch” ritual.
Why it works: People love sharing cozy vibes. You get engagement, they get bragging rights.
Pro tip: Feature entries in your feed or stories. It’s like crowdsourcing content with a side of cocoa.
🛍️ 2. Small Business Saturday Sweepstakes
What it is: Team up with other local legends to create a gift bundle. One lucky winner gets it all.
Why it works: Cross-promotion = more eyeballs. Plus, it’s a love letter to your local community.
Pro tip: Use a shared hashtag and tag all partners. It’s like a group hug, but with prizes.
🎄 3. 12 Days of Giveaways
What it is: A mini prize each day from Dec 1–12, with a grand finale on Day 12.
Why it works: It’s like an advent calendar, but with more glitter and fewer calories.
Pro tip: Keep entries simple: tag a friend, answer a fun question, or share a holiday emoji. Bonus points if your prizes feel like stocking stuffers from Santa’s cool cousin.
🧦 4. Stocking Stuffer Sprint
What it is: A flash giveaway of gift cards, service add-ons, or mini products.
Why it works: Perfect for Black Friday & Cyber Monday when everyone’s in “add to cart” mode.
Pro tip: Make it snappy. “First 10 to comment win!” or “Enter by midnight for a surprise!” because urgency is the tinsel of marketing.
🎉 5. New Year, New You
What it is: A “goal-setter” prize pack in early January: think planners, wellness goodies, or biz tools.
Why it works: Keeps the party going post-holidays and taps into that “new year, new me (maybe)” energy.
Pro tip: Ask entrants to share one goal for 2026. You’ll get insights and inspire your audience to dream big.
📅 Your Holiday Promo Calendar (No Glitter Required)
• Before Thanksgiving: Share your giveaway rules and teaser
• Black Friday–Cyber Monday: Run fast, fun daily giveaways
• Small Business Saturday: Add a special local prize
• Dec 1–12: Host 12 Days of Giveaways
• Week Before Christmas: Offer a final last-minute prize
• New Year’s Week: Announce winners and post a thank-you
Holiday promos don’t need to be complicated. With a little planning and a lot of heart, you can turn seasonal buzz into loyal fans and repeat customers.
Need help crafting your giveaway copy, setting up automations, or choosing the right prize? Conner Strategies is here to help you sparkle without the burnout.
