All around the world from autumn through winter, there are holidays that celebrate giving, togetherness, and just plain fun. This festive/holiday season is a perfect opportunity for small-business owners of all types and sizes to be a part of this giving spirit, and to boost their brands and sales along the way.
As a small-business owner and consultant for 18+ years, I’ve tried a lot of strategies to stand out from the crowd, and I’ve seen the benefits it brings. We also asked sellers like you what their businesses do for the festive/holiday season, and featured some of their strategies here, including decorating and special offerings for different business types.
@Twiggy, from TWIG Michael Pooley Flowers, decorates their storefront for every season with their latest floral arrangements.
Attract with Autumn Decorations
Tis the season to be merry and bright, so embrace it in your business to attract more new customers. It’s always a good idea to switch up your decor every now and then, and many sellers decorate for different occasions throughout the year.
@Doran, owner of Haute Beauty Guide, explains their decoration strategy. “I have an over-the-top window display each month starting in October … Each year since doing it, I get new people saying, ‘I’ve never seen this place before but your window caught my eye.’ So totally worth it.” Turning every month of the year into a celebration will keep your customers coming back to see what’s new, and appeal to different groups of people throughout the year.
Deck your halls with autumnal colors for the fall or autumn season by hanging up dried or fake leaves on a vine. Or put out some real or fake pumpkins and some fun not-so-spooky Halloween decorations. Setting up a trick-or-treat bowl filled with free fun-size candy can get kids (and adults) excited about their visit, and position your shop as a destination on their Halloween walk through the neighborhood. Putting on some themed music sets the mood for festive fun too.
@MichiganFarmsta, owner of Heidi’s Farmstand & Bakery, lights up their shop.
Draw In with Winter Decor
For the winter season, @AlexandriaK, owner of My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe, says “we always do fun holiday window displays! We do a fun window for Halloween that will stay up for about two weeks with the merchandise changing weekly … For Christmas we decorate a bit more in-store as well to get people in the gift-giving mindset.” She decorates with wreaths, garlands, and fake presents to inspire her customers to buy her products for others.
Fun lighting is both festive and practical for when the days get shorter. String lights or fairy lights can brighten up your space, and instinctually draw in attention and crowds. @MichiganFarmsta, owner of Heidi’s Farmstand & Bakery, sells Christmas trees and wreaths, and they “spend time hanging lights to create excitement. It is beneficial to hang the lights because it gets dark so early.” Some neighborhoods also make lists of decorated houses and stores, and becoming a local attraction is perfect free advertising.
@Lovewell, owner of Lovewell Tea & Coffee, shows off a seasonal drink in a festive setting.
Stand Out with Seasonal Offerings
Festive Food & Drinks
Changing weather can bring a change of tastes. If you serve food or drinks, then spicing up your menu with some festive flavors can help draw in customers. You can play with some fall flavors like pumpkin, apple, and corn; as well as winter ones like mint, cinnamon, nuts, and ginger.
@Lovewell, from Lovewell Tea & Coffee, “will launch at least two separate drink menus, one for fall and then one when we move closer to winter. We do some fun drinks and shenanigans for families on Halloween … We have a fun staff tree decorating party. We also take part in serving drinks at a local makers market and will sometimes have a very small version of a makers market in our shop.”
Retail Refresh
If you’re in retail, you can offer add-ons that reframe your products as presents for family and friends. @HHcsJoe, from Hymn & Hawe Country Store, does this and more, fully diving into events and in-store offerings. He says, “our town holds an Apple fest — so all things pumpkin spice, apple, and maple come to the forefront … We usually hold three weekend events starting with Black Friday/Small Biz Saturday. We offer free gift wrapping, snacks throughout the day, and usually in-store specials … We set holiday-themed tables up throughout the store with candle displays, dishes, and glassware and decorate our 11’ Christmas tree with ornaments that are for sale.” Inspire your customers with ideas to make your products part of their own holiday experience for their homes and their families.
Seasonal Services
You can even have some fun with spicing up your services too. @JessPoynter, from Jess Poynter Style, has a special pumpkin spice treatment along with her shampoos in the fall, and even makes a specialty Thanksgiving cocktail for her clients during that time of year. Around Christmas, she hands out special prizes to clients too. She even gives back to the community by running a canned food drive in one of her locations, which not only helps those in need but also shows that she runs a business that cares about the neighborhood.
Get Creative
There’s no wrong way to do the festive/holiday season, so experiment with some fun new ideas. Incorporate your own family traditions and start promoting your business as a great place to go this autumn and winter.
See More Articles in this Series:
- Market Your Business as a Festive/Holiday Destination
- Keep Your Business Running Smoothly through the Festive/Holiday Season
- Go Seasonal and Skip the Festive/Holiday Season
Do you have any extra tips to share? Leave your best decorating strategies and special offerings in the comments, along with some pictures or videos of your holiday set up!
This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. For specific advice applicable to your business, please contact a professional.
