The holiday season is a time of excitement, nostalgia, and celebration – and it’s the perfect opportunity for businesses to connect with their customers in memorable ways. As shoppers seek out unique experiences and meaningful connections, strategic festive PR can help your brand shine and spread holiday cheer.
In this post, we’ll explore 18 creative, out-of-the-box PR ideas that will add a touch of festive flair to your marketing efforts. From interactive pop-ups to surprise giveaways, these buzz-worthy concepts are designed to boost brand visibility, drive customer engagement, and increase holiday sales.
Table of Contents
- 24-Hour Festive Pop-Up Shop
- “Santa’s Little Helpers” Customer Service Team
- “Elf Yourself” Employee Competition
- “12 Days of Surprises” Campaign
- Virtual Holiday Workshops
- “Festive Flash Mobs” at Local Spots
- Holiday-Themed Brand Mascots
- Interactive Holiday Windows
- “Elf on the Shelf” at the Office
- Festive “Freebie Fridays”
- “Naughty or Nice” Discounts
- “12 Days of Product Tutorials”
- “Santa’s Hotline” for Customer Support
- Holiday Gratitude Wall (Digital or Physical)
- Customer Selfie Contest
- Worst Gift Ever Contest
- “12 Days of Discounts/Promotions”
- “Digital Door Prizes” and Flash Sales
24-Hour Festive Pop-Up Shop
Capitalize on the holiday season’s sense of urgency and excitement by creating a limited-time-only pop-up shop. Stock the space with exclusive, festive-themed products or experiences that customers can only access for a 24-hour period.
The key is to generate buzz and a “fear of missing out” mentality. Promote the pop-up aggressively on social media in the days leading up to the event, building anticipation. Offer early-bird deals or a countdown to the grand opening. Once the doors open, maintain a sense of exclusivity by limiting inventory or capping the number of shoppers allowed inside at a time.
This type of fleeting, high-energy experience will have customers feeling like they’re part of something special – and it could result in a significant sales boost during the busy holiday season.
“Santa’s Little Helpers” Customer Service Team
Turn your customer service team into a cheerful “Santa’s Little Helpers” squad this holiday season. Outfit them in festive attire like elf costumes or Santa hats, and encourage them to spread holiday cheer through their interactions.
This simple rebranding can have a big impact on your brand’s image and customer experience. Your “little helpers” can answer the phone with a jolly greeting, include holiday puns or jokes in email responses, or even hand out small gifts or treats to in-person shoppers.
Not only will this make customer interactions more memorable, but it also helps humanize your brand and foster a sense of holiday togetherness. Share photos and stories of your “Santa’s Little Helpers” on social media to boost brand visibility and engagement.
“Elf Yourself” Employee Competition
Engage your employees in the holiday spirit by challenging them to an “Elf Yourself” competition. Invite all team members to dress up in their most creative elf-inspired outfits, then encourage customers and followers to vote for their favorite through a social media contest.
This fun, lighthearted idea serves several purposes:
- It boosts employee morale and team camaraderie by getting everyone involved in the festivities.
- The social media voting aspect generates buzz and engagement with your brand’s audience.
- The winning “elf” can receive a prize, adding an extra layer of excitement.
Best of all, the resulting photos and videos provide you with a treasure trove of shareable holiday content to post on your website, social channels, and even use in future marketing campaigns.
“12 Days of Surprises” Campaign
Create a sense of anticipation and delight by launching a “12 Days of Surprises” campaign in the weeks leading up to the holidays. Each day, surprise your customers with a new gift, discount, or exclusive experience.
This could include daily giveaways, flash sales, limited-time offers, or even unique experiences like virtual workshops or exclusive product previews. The key is to keep customers engaged and coming back to see what’s in store next.
Promote the campaign heavily on your website and social media, using a countdown clock or calendar to build excitement. Encourage customers to sign up for your email list or follow you on social media to ensure they don’t miss out on any of the surprises.
Not only will this campaign help drive traffic and sales, but it will also foster a sense of loyalty and delight among your customer base.
Virtual Holiday Workshops
Virtual workshops and classes present a unique opportunity to connect with customers in a festive, value-added way. Offer free or donation-based holiday-themed workshops that teach useful skills like:
- DIY holiday decorations
- Gourmet gift-wrapping techniques
- Festive cocktail or cookie recipes
- Sustainable gift-giving ideas
These virtual events not only provide customers with practical holiday knowledge, but they also give your brand a chance to showcase your expertise and build meaningful connections. Promote the workshops through your website, social media, and email list to drive attendance.
Consider partnering with local artisans, chefs, or influencers to add extra credibility and excitement to the workshops. You can even sell attendees a “workshop kit” with supplies they’ll need, generating additional revenue.
“Festive Flash Mobs” at Local Spots
Bring a touch of holiday magic to your local community by organizing “festive flash mobs” in high-traffic areas. Gather a group of your employees or brand ambassadors to perform a synchronized holiday dance, sing carols, or engage in another unexpected, joyful public display.
Not only will this create a sense of delight and wonder for passersby, but it also presents an opportunity to capture shareable video content that can be used to boost your brand’s visibility online. Encourage participants to wear branded apparel or holiday costumes to reinforce your company’s identity.
Be sure to scout the location ahead of time and obtain any necessary permits or permissions. Promote the flash mob event on social media in advance to build anticipation, and consider offering small prizes or giveaways to onlookers who participate in the fun.
Holiday-Themed Brand Mascots
Bring your brand to life with a temporary holiday-themed mascot! This could be a festive version of your existing mascot or an entirely new character inspired by the season.
Dress up the mascot in holiday attire and have them make appearances at your physical locations, community events, or even virtual experiences. The mascot can interact with customers, pose for photos, hand out giveaways, or simply spread cheer through their presence.
Promote the mascot’s “tour” schedule on your social media channels, encouraging customers to share photos and videos of their encounters. You can even run a contest where followers guess the mascot’s identity or come up with a creative name for the holiday character.
This type of campaign not only generates buzz and engagement but also humanizes your brand in a whimsical, memorable way.
Interactive Holiday Windows
Transform your storefront into an immersive holiday experience by creating interactive window displays. Incorporate elements like:
- QR codes that unlock exclusive offers or virtual experiences
- Selfie stations with festive backdrops and props
- Holiday-themed trivia or quiz games
- AR filters that allow passersby to virtually “try on” products
The goal is to pique the curiosity of pedestrians, encourage them to engage with your brand, and ultimately drive foot traffic into your physical or online store.
Promote the interactive windows through your marketing channels and consider running a social media contest where customers share their favorite photos or experiences. This type of innovative, experiential marketing will help your brand stand out in a crowded holiday landscape.
“Elf on the Shelf” at the Office
Bring the beloved “Elf on the Shelf” tradition to your workplace with a branded, holiday-themed mascot. Place the elf in different locations around your office or store each day, then share photos and updates on your social media channels.
Encourage your employees to get creative with the elf’s antics – perhaps they’re found helping to wrap gifts, sampling holiday treats, or even causing a bit of mischief. Invite customers and followers to guess the elf’s latest hiding spot or share their own “Elf on the Shelf” ideas.
This playful, humorous campaign not only boosts morale and team spirit within your organization, but it also provides you with a steady stream of shareable content to engage your audience throughout the holiday season.
Festive “Freebie Fridays”
Surprise and delight your customers with a series of “Festive Freebie Fridays” during the holiday season. Each Friday, offer a small, holiday-themed gift or sample to in-store or online shoppers.
These freebies could range from seasonal snacks and hot beverages to branded merchandise or miniature versions of your products. The key is to create a sense of excitement and anticipation, encouraging customers to check back each week to see what surprise is in store.
Promote the Freebie Fridays through your website, email list, and social media channels. You can even ask customers to share photos of their freebies on social media for a chance to win additional prizes.
This type of campaign not only fosters goodwill and brand loyalty, but it also drives repeat visits and impulse purchases during the crucial holiday shopping period.
“Naughty or Nice” Discounts
Add a touch of playful holiday spirit to your discount offerings with a “Naughty or Nice” promotion. Invite customers to take a short quiz or survey that determines whether they’ve been “naughty” or “nice” this year, then offer them a corresponding discount.
For example, “naughty” customers might receive 15% off their purchase, while “nice” customers could get 20% off. You can even take it a step further by offering additional surprise rewards or bonuses for those deemed “extra nice.”
This concept not only injects humor and interactivity into your holiday sales, but it also encourages customers to engage more deeply with your brand. Share the results of the “Naughty or Nice” quiz on social media to further drive engagement and buzz.
“12 Days of Product Tutorials”
Share your expertise and provide value to your customers by offering a “12 Days of Product Tutorials” series in the lead-up to the holidays. Each day, publish a short video or blog post showcasing creative ways to use, style, or gift one of your products.
These tutorials could cover topics like:
- Holiday gift-wrapping techniques
- Festive recipes featuring your products
- Seasonal decorating ideas using your merchandise
- Product “hacks” or alternative uses
Not only does this series help customers discover new ways to enjoy your offerings, but it also allows you to showcase your brand’s personality and commitment to customer success. Promote the tutorials across your website, social media, and email list to maximize visibility and engagement.
“Santa’s Hotline” for Customer Support
Put a festive spin on your customer service this holiday season by setting up a dedicated “Santa’s Hotline.” Encourage customers to call in with their questions, concerns, or gift-giving needs, and have your team members answer the phone with jolly holiday greetings.
You can even go the extra mile by playing seasonal music on hold, offering holiday-themed hold messages, or having your customer service reps don Santa hats or elf costumes. The goal is to make every interaction feel warm, memorable, and in keeping with the holiday spirit.
Promote the “Santa’s Hotline” on your website, social media, and in-store signage to ensure customers are aware of this unique service. You can even invite them to share their positive experiences on social media for a chance to win a prize.
Holiday Gratitude Wall (Digital or Physical)
Create a holiday “Gratitude Wall” – either physical or digital – where customers can share messages of thankfulness and holiday cheer. Encourage them to post notes, artwork, or even short videos expressing their appreciation for your brand, your products, or the holiday season in general.
Showcase the best submissions on your website, social media channels, or in-store displays. This not only fosters a sense of community and goodwill, but it also provides you with a wealth of user-generated content to share.
Consider offering small rewards or incentives, such as discounts or giveaways, to customers who contribute to the Gratitude Wall. This will help drive participation and keep your audience engaged throughout the holiday season.
Customer Selfie Contest
Leverage the power of social media and customer-generated content by running a festive selfie contest. Invite customers to take creative photos or videos with your products, services, or holiday-themed backdrops, then share them on social media using a branded hashtag.
Offer prizes for the most imaginative, humorous, or visually striking submissions. This not only generates buzz and engagement around your brand, but it also provides you with a steady stream of shareable user-generated content to feature on your own channels.
Promote the contest across your website, email list, and social media platforms. Encourage participants to tag friends and spread the word, further amplifying your reach.
Worst Gift Ever Contest
Bring a touch of humor and relatability to your holiday marketing with a “Worst Gift Ever” contest. Invite customers to share stories and photos of the most hilariously bad gifts they’ve ever received, then reward the most entertaining submissions.
This lighthearted idea not only taps into the universal experience of receiving an undesirable present, but it also gives your audience a fun, low-stakes way to engage with your brand. You can offer prizes like gift cards, branded merchandise, or even a “do-over” gift exchange to the winners.
Promote the contest across your social media channels and email list, and encourage participants to tag their friends to join the fun. The resulting user-generated content and social interaction will help your brand stand out in a crowded holiday landscape.
“12 Days of Discounts/Promotions”
Create a sense of anticipation and urgency by launching a “12 Days of Discounts/Promotions” campaign leading up to the holidays. Similar to the “12 Days of Surprises” idea, offer a new discount, flash sale, or special offer each day in the 12 days before Christmas.
Promote the campaign heavily on your website, social media, and email list, using a countdown clock or calendar to build excitement. Encourage customers to sign up for your newsletter or follow you on social media to ensure they don’t miss out on any of the deals.
You can even take it a step further by offering a “grand prize” to one lucky customer who participates in the entire 12-day promotion. This will incentivize repeat visits and boost overall engagement with your brand.
“Digital Door Prizes” and Flash Sales
Surprise and delight your online customers with a series of “digital door prizes” and flash sales throughout the holiday season. Randomly select winners from your email list or social media followers to receive exclusive discounts, free products, or other special offers.
These unannounced promotions not only generate a sense of excitement and urgency, but they also reward your most engaged and loyal customers. Promote the “digital door prizes” and flash sales through your website, email newsletters, and social media channels to ensure your audience is always on the lookout for the next surprise.
Consider pairing these spontaneous offers with short-lived deadlines or limited quantities to create a true “fear of missing out” mentality. This will encourage customers to act quickly, driving increased traffic and sales during the critical holiday shopping period.
Conclusion
The holiday season presents a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with customers in fun, memorable ways. By implementing creative, buzz-worthy PR ideas like interactive pop-ups, festive customer service, and social media contests, you can help your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with your target audience.
As you plan your holiday marketing strategy, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and embrace the spirit of the season. The ideas outlined in this post are designed to inspire your team and get your creative juices flowing. So, pick a few concepts that align with your brand personality and customer base, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer!
Once you’ve put these PR ideas into action, be sure to share your experiences in the comments below. We’d love to hear how your customers responded and which strategies proved most effective for your business.