Tips for Drumming Up Christmas Business

Decking the halls of your business with holiday sales is not as easy as it used to be. As a retailer or service provider, you know firsthand that sales have been less than jolly recently. Many small businesses are counting on end of the year holiday sales to boost the bottom line. If you could use some tips for drumming up Christmas business we have some free ones. These practical ideas may help you draw Christmas shoppers into the doors of your business.

Free Gift Wrapping

Offer customers free gift wrapping services for purchases. If you cannot wrap a package or do not have the workers for that type of service, then use gift bags and tissue paper. Plain brown paper bags with festive green and red tissue paper make simple yet classic looking gift-wrap. Do not stamp your name on the bags. This makes it harder for "Santa" to keep gifts a secret.

Christmas Refreshments

Buy Christmas cookies in bulk and display them on decorative trays. Colorful sugar cookies look nice and make a nice gesture of appreciation for holiday business. Baskets full of individually wrapped candy canes and other candies are also a sweet touch of thanks. Holiday shoppers are more likely to visit a store twice if they know cookies and treats are involved.

Special Guests

Hire a Santa, an elf or a Mrs. Claus to visit your store throughout the holiday season. Allow guests to take their own photographs with Santa Claus while they shop. Ask Santa to make hourly appearances and advertise hourly sales. Alternatively, you could hire a clown or some other type of performer to come to your store.

Raffles

Daily raffles will keep guests coming into your store. Ask guests to register for the raffle by giving their email address and names. Send daily email blasts featuring the winners of the raffles and any sales you are having. Small gift baskets make the ideal door prize for a holiday raffle.

Product Bundles

Bundle products or gifts together and offering guests a small discount when they make bundle purchases. Everyone is looking for a "holiday deal" so offer your customers a money-saving product bundle.

Christmas Connection

Network with other business and create a Christmas Connection in your area. This idea is based on the premise that businesses who share a customer base fare better for sales than the solo store. Work with three or four business to create a Christmas Connection and advertise your holiday business network with flyers and inexpensive advertisement.