As the year draws to a close, ecommerce businesses are gearing up for the biggest shopping season of the year.
With the holiday season in full swing, consumers are looking for the perfect gifts for their loved ones, and it’s up to you to make sure they find them in your store.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key retail holidays and events in December, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve, and provide you with tips and strategies to maximize your sales and drive traffic to your website.
By creating a targeted marketing campaign that resonates with your audience, you can ensure that your store stands out from the crowd and captures a larger share of the holiday shopping market.
Maximize your retail sales throughout the year with our retail calendar guide, featuring 12 articles with tips for each month. Click on each month to learn more!
Key Holidays and Observances in December
- December 2: Cyber Monday (US)
Cyber Monday is a major online shopping event in the United States known for exclusive online deals and discounts.
E-commerce brands can leverage it by offering special promotions, discounts, and limited-time deals on their online stores to attract online shoppers and generate sales.
Keywords: Cyber Monday deals, online discounts, exclusive promotions, limited-time offers, online shopping, holiday sales, Cyber Monday specials, online deals, online shopping event, biggest online sales
- December 2: Giving Tuesday (US)
Giving Tuesday is a global day of charitable giving. E-commerce brands can participate by partnering with charitable organizations, pledging a portion of their sales, or encouraging customers to donate at checkout.
Brands can create cause-driven marketing campaigns to engage customers and support charitable causes.
Keywords: Giving Tuesday donations, charitable giving, cause-driven marketing, give back, support charities, philanthropy, charitable partnerships, social impact, donation campaigns, meaningful giving, charitable causes
- December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Global)
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities raises awareness about disability rights and inclusion.
E-commerce brands can promote inclusivity and accessibility in their marketing campaigns by highlighting products or services for persons with disabilities and sharing meaningful content to engage with a diverse audience.
Keywords: Disability rights, inclusivity, accessibility, diverse audience, disability awareness, disability advocacy, inclusive marketing, disability-friendly products, inclusive promotions
- December 4: National Cookie Day (US)
National Cookie Day is a food holiday that celebrates cookies.
E-commerce brands can create special promotions, discounts, or giveaways related to cookies, share cookie recipes, and offer limited-time cookie-themed products to entice customers and drive sales.
Keywords: Cookie promotions, cookie-themed deals, sweet treats, cookie recipes, cookie giveaways, cookie lovers, cookie celebration, National Cookie Day discounts, cookie-themed products, indulgent treats, cookie sales3
- December 5: Repeal Day (US)
Repeal Day commemorates the end of Prohibition in the United States.E-commerce brands in the alcohol or beverage industry can offer special promotions, discounts, or limited-time offers on alcoholic beverages, create themed marketing campaigns, and host virtual or in-person events to engage customers and generate sales.
Keywords: Repeal Day celebrations, end of Prohibition, alcohol promotions, beverage deals, cocktail specials, Repeal Day discounts, drink responsibly, historical event, Prohibition-themed marketing
- December 6: St. Nicholas Day (UK, US, Australia, and other countries)
St. Nicholas Day is a holiday celebrated in various countries that honors St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children.Online stores can create promotions or discounts on children’s products, toys, or gifts, and use the theme of St. Nicholas to attract customers and promote their online stores.
Keywords: St. Nicholas Day gifts, children’s products, toy promotions, kids’ gifts, holiday presents, St. Nicholas Day sales, festive toys, St. Nicholas Day discounts, kids’ holiday shopping, children’s toys, gift ideas for kids.
- December 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (US)
The nation commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.Ecommerce brands can show support for veterans or military families through marketing campaigns such as special discounts, donations to veterans’ charities, or educational content about the historical significance of Pearl Harbor.
Keywords: Pearl Harbor, Remembrance Day, World War II, patriotism, historical, memorial, honor
- December 8: Bodhi Day (US)
Celebrates the day when Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, attained enlightenment.Ecommerce brands can create promotions or content that aligns with the Buddhist principles of mindfulness, meditation, and self-discovery to engage with customers interested in spiritual or wellness-related products.
Keywords: Bodhi Day, enlightenment, Buddhism, meditation, mindfulness, spiritual, awakening
- December 9: International Anti-Corruption Day (Worldwide)
A global observance that raises awareness about corruption and its negative impact on societies.Ecommerce brands can leverage this day to promote their commitment to transparency, ethical business practices, and social responsibility through marketing campaigns that highlight anti-corruption efforts, promote anti-corruption products or services, or support anti-corruption organizations.
Keywords: anti-corruption, transparency, law, court, trust
- December 10: Human Rights Day (Worldwide)
The holiday commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.
Ecommerce brands can use this day to advocate for human rights and social justice through marketing campaigns that raise awareness about human rights issues, promote products or services that align with human rights values, or donate a portion of sales to human rights organizations.
Keywords: Human Rights, equality, justice, activism, social justice, advocacy, awareness
December 11: National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (Canada)
On this day we honor the memory of victims of terrorist attacks in Canada and abroad.
Ecommerce brands can express solidarity with the victims and their families through marketing campaigns that promote messages of peace, resilience, and unity, and offer support or resources for those affected by terrorism.
Keywords: Mountains, nature, outdoor, adventure, hiking, conservation, scenic beauty - December 12: Gingerbread House Day (Worldwide)
Celebrates the tradition of making and decorating gingerbread houses during the holiday season.
Ecommerce brands can create promotions or content related to gingerbread houses, such as DIY gingerbread house kits, gingerbread-themed recipes, or gingerbread house decorating contests, to engage with customers interested in holiday baking and festive activities.
Keywords: Gingerbread House, holiday baking, family activity, festive decoration, gingerbread cookies, creative, sweet treat - December 13: National Day of the Horse (US)
Celebrates the role of horses in American history, economy, and culture. Your can leverage this holiday by selling equestrian products, horse-related merchandise, or offering horseback riding experiences can leverage this day.
You can also run marketing campaigns that highlight the beauty and significance of horses, offer special discounts or promotions on horse-related products or services.
Keywords: National Day of the Horse, Horse Day, Equestrian Day, Horse Appreciation Day
- December 14: Monkey Day (Worldwide)
A fun and quirky holiday that celebrates monkeys and their role in art, literature, and popular culture.
Ecommerce brands can leverage this day to create playful and creative marketing campaigns that feature monkey-themed products, promotions, or content.
Keywords: Monkey day, activities, gifts, monkey day awareness - December 15: Bill of Rights Day (US)
Commemorates the ratification of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.
Ecommerce brands can run marketing campaigns that emphasize the importance of constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, and promote products or services that align with these values.
Keywords: Cupcakes, sweet treat, baking, dessert, celebration, party, delicious - December 16: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (Worldwide)
A light-hearted holiday that celebrates the kitschy charm of ugly Christmas sweaters.
Ecommerce brands can create promotions, contests, or offer discounts or special deals on ugly Christmas sweater-themed merchandise, or share content that showcases creative ways to style or DIY ugly Christmas sweaters.
Keywords: Ugly Christmas Sweater, holiday fashion, festive attire, fun, quirky, holiday party, themed clothing
- December 17: Wright Brothers Day (US)
Commemorates the first powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903, a significant milestone in aviation history.
Ecommerce brands can run marketing campaigns that highlight the spirit of innovation, exploration, and adventure associated with aviation, and promote products or services related to air travel, aviation history, or flight-related experiences.
Keywords: Wright Brothers, aviation, flight, invention, pioneers, history, innovation - December 18: International Migrants Day (Worldwide)
A global observance that raises awareness about the rights and contributions of migrants around the world.
Ecommerce brands can leverage this day to promote diversity, inclusivity, and social consciousness through marketing campaigns that celebrate the cultural richness and economic contributions of migrants, offer support or resources for migrant communities, or raise funds for migrant organizations.
Keywords: Regifting, holiday humor, recycling, sustainable gifting, second chances, frugality, creative giving - December 19: National Wreaths Across America Day (US)
A day of remembrance and honor for veterans by placing wreaths on their graves in cemeteries across the United States.
Ecommerce brands can show support for veterans and their families through marketing campaigns that promote participation in the Wreaths Across America initiative, offer wreaths or wreath-themed merchandise for sale, or donate a portion of sales to veterans’ charities.
Keywords: Festivus, holiday alternative, humorous holiday, Seinfeld, traditions, humor, unique celebration - December 20: International Human Solidarity Day (Worldwide)
Ecommerce brands can leverage this day to promote social cohesion, cooperation, and compassion through marketing campaigns that encourage acts of kindness, generosity, and inclusivity.
They can create content that raises awareness about global issues, inspires positive action, or shares stories of solidarity, and offer special promotions or discounts on products or services that support charitable causes.
Keywords: Human Solidarity, unity, compassion, global awareness, social responsibility, advocacy, humanitarian - December 21: Winter Solstice (Worldwide)
The shortest day and the longest night of the year, marking the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that revolve around the themes of warmth, coziness, and seasonal festivities.
Keywords: Winter Solstice, longest night, seasonal change, nature, celestial, rebirth, celebration
- December 23: Festivus (Worldwide)
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A humorous and satirical holiday that originated from the TV show Seinfeld, Festivus is a “holiday for the rest of us” and is celebrated as an alternative to traditional holiday festivities.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that embrace the irreverent and humorous nature of Festivus, and offer promotions, contests, or content that pokes fun at holiday traditions, norms, or cliches.
Keywords: Festive Friday, holiday shopping, deals, discounts, festive atmosphere, celebration, holiday spirit
- December 24: Christmas Eve (Christian holiday)
The day before Christmas, Christmas Eve is a Christian holiday that is widely celebrated around the world.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that capture the excitement, anticipation, and spirit of Christmas Eve, and offer last-minute deals, promotions, or gift ideas for procrastinating shoppers.
They can also use this day to create engaging content, such as holiday stories, traditions, or memories, that evoke the warmth, joy, and magic of Christmas Eve.
Keywords: Christmas Eve, holiday traditions, family, anticipation, festivities, gift wrapping, celebration
- December 25: Hanukkah (Jewish holiday)
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the miracle of the oil in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that celebrate the traditions, symbols, and meaning of Hanukkah, such as menorahs, dreidels, and latkes.
Keywords: Hannukah, daily surprises, celebration
- December 25: Christmas Day
One of the most widely recognized holidays in the world, Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is associated with family gatherings, feasts, and gift-giving.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that center around the joy, wonder, and festivities of Christmas Day, and offer special promotions, discounts, or gift guides for Christmas gifts.
They can also create content that shares holiday traditions, recipes, or heartwarming stories, and engage with customers through social media posts, videos, or contests that capture the holiday spirit.
Keywords: Christmas, holiday, gifts, family, traditions, celebration, joy
- December 26: Boxing Day (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Boxing Day traditionally originated as a day to give gifts or donations to the less fortunate.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that leverage the concept of Boxing Day as a day for generosity, charitable giving, or post-holiday sales.
Keywords: Boxing Day, holiday sales, deals, discounts, shopping, tradition, post-Christmas shopping - December 27: National Fruitcake Day (US)
A quirky and fun observance, National Fruitcake Day celebrates the notorious and oft-mocked dessert, the fruitcake.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that playfully embrace the unique nature of fruitcakes and offer promotions, contests, or content related to fruitcakes.
They can also use this day as an opportunity to engage with customers through humor, nostalgia, or creativity, and create content that shares funny fruitcake stories, recipes, or creative uses for fruitcakes.
Keywords: Fruitcake, quirky dessert, holiday humor, promotions, contests, creative uses, nostalgic - December 28: Pledge of Allegiance Day (US)
A day to honor and commemorate the Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic symbol in the United States, ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that celebrate national pride, unity, and patriotism.
They can offer promotions or discounts on products or services that feature national symbols, flags, or colors, and create content that educates customers about the history, meaning, and significance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
They can also engage with customers through social media posts, videos, or contests that encourage expressions of national pride or gratitude.
Keywords: Pledge of Allegiance, patriotism, national pride, unity, promotions, discounts, patriotic content
- December 29: Tick Tock Day (Worldwide)
A day to remind people to make the most of their time as the year comes to an end, Tick Tock Day is a playful and motivational observance.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that inspire customers to take action, set goals, or make positive changes in their lives.
They can offer promotions, discounts, or content related to time management, productivity, or personal growth.
Keywords: Tick Tock Day, time management, productivity, personal
- December 30: Bacon Day (Worldwide)
A fun and delicious observance, Bacon Day celebrates the popular and versatile meat, bacon.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that revolve around the love for bacon, and offer promotions, contests, or content related to bacon recipes, cooking tips, or creative uses for bacon.
Keywords: Bacon, foodie, culinary delight, indulgence, savory, recipes, breakfast
- December 31: New Year’s Eve (Worldwide)
The last day of the year, New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection, celebration, and anticipation of the coming year.
Ecommerce brands can create marketing campaigns that capture the excitement and energy of New Year’s Eve, and offer promotions, discounts, or exclusive deals on products or services for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
They can create content that shares reflections, resolutions, or memories of the past year, and engage with customers through social media posts, videos, or contests.
Keywords: New Year’s Eve party, countdown celebration, festive gatherings, year-end celebrations, champagne, fireworks, holiday outfits, resolutions, farewell to 2024, new year promotions
By leveraging the various holidays and observances in December, you can create engaging and relevant marketing campaigns for your store that align with the sentiments, traditions, and celebrations of your target audience.
These campaigns can help promote your brand, generate sales, and foster a strong connection with customers during the festive season.
How Ecommerce Brands Can Plan Their End-of-Year Promotions and Drive Sales during the Holidays
As an ecommerce brand owner, you know that the end-of-year promotions can make a significant impact on your sales and revenue.
But how do you effectively plan your promotions and drive sales during the holidays?
Content marketing can be your secret weapon to achieve just that!
Content marketing is a powerful strategy that involves creating and distributing valuable and relevant content to attract and engage your target audience.
By leveraging content marketing during the holiday season, you can not only drive traffic to your ecommerce website but also boost your brand visibility, build customer loyalty, and increase conversions.
So, let’s dive into some key tips and suggestions on how ecommerce brands can plan their end-of-year promotions and drive sales during the holidays:
- Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your end-of-year promotions.
Start early so that you have enough time to research, create, and implement your campaigns.
Planning in advance allows you to be well-prepared and gives you the flexibility to make adjustments as needed.
- Understand Your Audience: Knowing your target audience is crucial for effective promotions.
Take the time to understand their preferences, behaviors, and shopping habits during the holiday season.
This will help you tailor your promotions to resonate with your audience and drive engagement.
- Offer Exclusive Deals: Everyone loves a good deal, especially during the holidays.
Offer exclusive promotions, discounts, or bundles that are only available during the holiday season.
This creates a sense of urgency and encourages customers to make a purchase.
- Create Engaging Holiday-Themed Content: During the holiday season, people are in a festive mood and actively looking for holiday-related content.
Create engaging and compelling content that resonates with the holiday spirit, such as gift guides, holiday-themed blog posts, videos, and infographics.
- Offer Exclusive Discounts and Promotions: Everyone loves a good deal during the holidays!
Use your content marketing campaigns to offer exclusive discounts, promotions, and coupon codes to incentivize your audience to make a purchase.
Highlight these offers in your content and create a sense of urgency by using phrases like “limited time offer” or “while supplies last” to encourage immediate action.
- Leverage Email Marketing: Email marketing is a powerful tool for ecommerce brands during the holidays.
Build a targeted email list and send out personalized and engaging holiday-themed emails to your subscribers.
Include your exclusive promotions and create a sense of excitement to encourage them to take action.
- Optimize Your Website: Make sure your website is ready for the holiday rush.
Optimize your website for speed, performance, and user experience.
Ensure that your promotions are prominently displayed, and the checkout process is smooth and seamless.
- Collaborate with Influencers: Influencer marketing can be a game-changer for ecommerce brands.
Collaborate with influencers who have a strong following in your niche and create engaging content to promote your end-of-year promotions.
This can help you reach a wider audience and boost your sales.
- Track and Analyze Your Results: Keep track of your promotions and analyze the results to determine what’s working and what’s not.
Use data to make informed decisions and optimize your campaigns as needed to drive better results.
At the end of the day, running content marketing campaigns can significantly impact the success of your end-of-year promotions.
If you’re looking for expert assistance in planning and executing your end-of-year promotions, consider working with AmpiFire.
Our team of content marketing experts can help you create compelling content that resonates with your audience, builds trust, and encourages them to take action.
Book an appointment with AmpiFire today and get ready to boost your sales this holiday season!
