Believe it or not, Christmas 2022 is almost here already. For businesses across the globe, the busiest season of the year is upon us, so it’s time to start kicking those grand marketing ambitions into action. While many corporations spend January onwards brainstorming next year’s festive masterplans, most small businesses just don’t have the time or budget.
If you’re watching the days tick by and need some last minute christmas marketing ideas to keep your products or services flying off the shelves, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 ideas that’ll have you spreading the Christmas cheer for all to hear – all without breaking the bank.
10 Christmas Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
1. Start Your Campaigns as Soon as Possible
This might seem like a counterproductive tip to start on for last minute Christmas marketing ideas, but it still stands no matter when you decide to get your festive engines turning. While most big brands launch a little too early for our liking (nobody wants to see a Christmas ad in July, right?), it is important to get a head start. Some enthusiastic elves start their shopping as early as September, while a staggering 69.8% of people start before 1st December.
With this in mind, the earlier you can get those ads, emails and social media posts rolled out, the better! If you’re stuck for time, why not hire a copywriting agency or freelance copywriter to create a bulk batch of festive posts? Once you’ve got the finished result, you can schedule and start posting immediately without having to think about what or when you’ll post them.

2. Make the Most of Black Friday / Cyber Monday
Love them or hate them – Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the most important days in the year when it comes to Christmas shopping. As shoppers flood into real life stores and online websites eager to score a deal, you’ll want to make sure you’re offering something strong enough to hook them in.
Here are some Christmas marketing ideas for small businesses, perfect for Black Friday and Cyber Monday celebrations:
- Offer a free gift with every purchase over a certain amount – this will incentivise customers to buy more AND give them the chance to sample your other products.
- Host a flash sale or hourly reduction in prices – this will increase conversion rate, boost brand awareness and inevitably send revenue through the roof!
- Give customers a higher discount depending on how much they order – offering 30% off for example to those who order £100+ will be a BIG incentive.
- Discount your subscription – this is a great tip for both product and service-based businesses and will hopefully secure long-term customers beyond the festive period.

3. Start a Social Media Countdown
When it comes to Christmas, everyone knows the best part is the build-up – not the 25th itself. Yes, we all love a stomach-exploding Christmas dinner and tearing open box after box of Lynx Africa, but the festive vibe is certainly at its highest in the weeks approaching the big day. So, why not take on this philosophy to step your marketing up a notch?
A social media Christmas countdown is one of the best ways to get people in the spirit – both for the upcoming festivities and for the shopping they’ll inevitably have to tackle. With the help of a freelance copywriter or copywriting agency, you could get really creative and spotlight a different product everyday, just like an advent calendar.
Remember: the more you post, the more likely your deals are to be seen, so stay active!
4. Take Note of Trends and Play Into Them
Trends can be a point of contention in general spheres of business, but when it comes to marketing, it’s essential to pay attention to them. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram thrive on evolving trends, pushing new products, places and services into the consciousness of the general public with every day that passes.
If you notice a content format on TikTok (such as a dance or a sound bite), why not have some fun and recreate it? Or maybe you’ve noticed a new reel trend on Instagram such as the ‘what’s in my bag?’ flatlays that could incorporate your product?
People forget about things SO quickly on social media too, so if it’s a flop, there’s no risk of permanent exile or failure…

5. Create Bundles to Sell More
Want to sell more to increase profits over the festive season? One of the best marketing ideas for small businesses we can think of is selling in bundles.
By curating your products by theme or packaging them up as gift sets, you can incentivise browsers to become buyers a lot more easily. Box them up nicely and share them centre stage on your home page. After all, 37% of consumers said that they get gift idea inspiration by browsing the websites of their favourite brands, especially at Christmas.
6. Launch a Collaboration
We all love it when our favourite brands come together for an exclusive collaboration, right? While you may be pushed for time if you’re only just beginning your planning in November, there’s still plenty of potential to expand your brand reach with a partnership.
Using social media can often feel like swimming in a pool of sharks, waiting for your competitors to swarm and steal your customers. In truth, most small business owners long for the feeling of community and solidarity, and Christmas is the perfect time to make it happen.
Why not host an Instagram live showcasing a fellow small business? You could even reach out to some of your favourite creators to offer a festive bundle that’ll slot nicely under the tree. Joining forces is one of the best Christmas marketing ideas for small businesses, so let us know if you give it a try!

7. Donate a Percentage of Profits to Charity
Believe it or not, Christmas isn’t just about maximising sales and getting everything on your wishlist. Goodwill is often the ingredient sustaining that magical warm feeling you get at this time of year, and giving your customers the chance to do good WHILE they shop is a flawless offer.
Here are some charitable ideas for the current state of the world:
- Donate 10% of profits to an environmental charity such as WWT, Ecologi or The Climate Coalition – this one is a great tip for businesses with a sustainable ethos.
- If you have a real-life store or you’re running market stalls this Christmas, try collecting resources for a food bank or refuge charity. Tinned foods, toys and women’s products are always gratefully received.
- Give your customers the chance to buy two and pay the other forward – while this will certainly increase profits, you’ll also get the chance to make a big difference to people’s lives this Christmas.
8. Don’t Forget About Traditional PR
In the age of social media, it’s easy to wonder how people actually achieved any business success before TikTok, Instagram or Facebook became an option. The truth is, traditional methods of PR and marketing are still alive and kicking, and they’re a great way to reach a wider audience.
If you’re planning a charitable campaign, launching a new product or collaborating with a fellow business owner this Christmas, why not send out a press release to some relevant publications? Local magazines or business blogs are usually happy to do their bit to support small businesses, especially if your offering is unique or newsworthy.
Not sure what to include in your press release or how to write about your business? A freelance copywriter or copywriting agency is the perfect solution. At Inspired Copy, we work with hundreds of brands to showcase their news through PR and we’d love to help.

9. Create an Email Campaign to Keep People Interested
Whether you’re an established business or you’re brainstorming how to expand your empire, chances are you’ve heard about the benefits of email marketing. In fact, a huge 64% of small businesses are already using email marketing to reach their customers – and for good reason.
A strong email campaign allows you to:
- Target existing and new customers with specific messaging and offers
- Promote products and services relevant to the current season
- Connect on a deeper level with your audience with personalised messaging
- Boost clicks to your website or social media platforms
Not sure where to start when it comes to email marketing? Speak to a friendly freelance copywriter or copywriting agency – they’ll be happy to help make your next campaign a success!
10. Get Your SEO In Check
The last tip in our list of Christmas marketing ideas for small businesses is a concept dreaded by technophobes and avid internet users alike – you guessed it, its SEO.
Search Engine Optimisation is a great tool for small businesses, especially if you’ve got a unique niche or you’re battling a competitive market. By using seasonally appropriate keywords like ‘christmas gift ideas for teens’ or ‘unique jewellery gifts’, you’ll be able to drive the right kind of traffic to your store.
SEO can be used to make all sorts of content for purposeful, including:
- Keyword-dense blogs
- Landing pages or website copy
- Engaging product descriptions
Check out our FREE SEO blog writing checklist for some top tips, or get in touch with our team for more assistance.
So, that concludes our top 10 Christmas marketing ideas for small businesses. We hope you all have a productive festive season packed with plentiful sales, big profits and all the Christmas cheer you can handle!
If you’re looking for a freelance copywriter or copywriting agency to help turn your marketing ideas into a fully-fledged campaign, get in touch! We offer a whole range of services that can save you time and money, all while taking your marketing efforts up a notch.
