Key Takeaway:
Discover three ideas that will give your holiday sales the lift you’ve been looking for.
December moves fast. If your holiday sales aren’t where you hoped they’d be, take a breath. There’s still time to pivot your strategy and create meaningful momentum before the season wraps. Many holiday shoppers will soon be hitting their “okay…now I really need to finish this” phase. They’re rushed, distracted, short on time, and craving easy wins.
That’s where smart, last-minute promotions can make all the difference. Here are three offers that speak directly to what real customers need in these final days: simplicity, clarity, and speed.
“40% of shoppers this holiday season are worried they’ll pick the wrong gift.”
– SurveyMonkey, 2025
1. The Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Special
There’s always that shopper who suddenly realizes the stockings are still empty—usually sometime between school drop-off, a grocery run, and an office holiday party. These customers aren’t browsing; they want a fast, foolproof solution. Per SurveyMonkey, 40% of shoppers this season are worried they’ll pick the wrong gift.
A curated Stocking Stuffer Special is a fantastic solution. Create a small, well-chosen collection of items in approachable price ranges ($20–$50), then add limited-time holiday pricing to make the decision even easier.
To make the offer work seamlessly:
- Place the collection front-and-center in your store and on your homepage.
- Use a festive sign or simple holiday header so customers instantly know, “This is the spot.”
- Highlight Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store for the shopper racing against the clock.
This is ideal for the parent realizing at 9 p.m. that they forgot one kid’s stocking. Or the coworker who needs a quick Secret Santa gift before tomorrow. A tight, thoughtful collection takes away stress and increases the chances they’ll buy multiple items at once.
“1 in 3 last-minute shoppers choose where to purchase their gifts based on how soon they can get them.”
– Think with Google
2. The Give-More Gift Card Offer
Gift cards may get most of their attention on Black Friday, but they become lifesavers in the last stretch before the holiday. Especially for shoppers facing the common dilemma of finding a special gift for someone who has everything.
The answer? A gift card—especially one that comes with a little extra. Try a tiered bonus structure like:
- Buy $50 → Get a $10 bonus card
- Buy $100 → Get a $20 bonus card
Shoppers love this because it turns an already practical gift into something that feels thoughtful and generous. It’s especially perfect for teens or young adults with evolving tastes, hard-to-shop-for relatives, and last-minute gifters who want something meaningful without worrying about shipping deadlines. (Per Think with Google, 1 in 3 last-minute shoppers choose where to purchase gifts based on how soon they can get them.)
Framing is everything here. So, it’s important to emphasize ease with how you promote this offer. Consider using language like “no shipping,” “No guessing sizes,” and “instant gifting”.
3. One for Them, One for You BOGO
Holiday shoppers are constantly tempted by items they’d secretly like for themselves. And let’s be honest: many do end up “adding one more thing to the cart”. A One for Them, One for You BOGO offer speaks to this instinct.
This works especially well for categories people naturally buy multiples of: candles, jewelry, accessories, beauty items, or small luxury goods. Instead of feeling indulgent, the promotion reframes the moment:
“You’re treating someone else — don’t forget to treat yourself.”
It appeals to:
- Loyal shoppers who already love your brand
- Self-gifters who waited all year for something special at a discount
- Friends shopping in pairs
It’s Not Too Late to Make a Holiday Impact
Shoppers aren’t looking for complicated deals. They want clarity, speed, and solutions that make their lives easier in the home stretch of the season. Whether it’s curated stocking stuffers, a smart gift card incentive, or a feel-good BOGO, these last-minute promotions can help you finish December strong and slide into 2026 with confidence.
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