Boost holiday sales: 14 Proven strategies for 2025

Get ready for the biggest shopping event of the year. In 2025, holiday eCommerce sales are expected to hit new highs as customers start earlier, buy more online, and spend more on personalized, meaningful gifts.

Whether you’re a small business owner or running a growing brand, the right holiday marketing strategy makes all the difference.

Discover 14 practical ways to boost holiday sales, learn strategic holiday promotions used by successful Printful merchants, and make this your most profitable holiday season yet.

2025 Key eCommerce holiday dates

The holiday season spans weeks of opportunity. Know the key dates to plan ahead, launch holiday campaigns at the right time, and prepare your online store for success.

Here are the most important eCommerce dates for 2025:

Explore our year-round eCommerce marketing calendar for a full list of key dates to capture sales for your business.

What’s trending this holiday season? (2025 forecast)

The holiday season is shifting fast. Shoppers are starting earlier, buying more online, and making holiday purchases based on personalization, sustainability, and convenience.

Here are the top 2025 holiday eCommerce sales trends to watch.

Shoppers are spending more online than ever

Holiday retail sales are forecasted to grow 2.9%-3.4% in 2025, reaching $1.61-$1.62 trillion, with eCommerce climbing 7%-9% to $305-$310.7 billion.

That means your online store is competing in the busiest – and most profitable – marketplace of the year.

Personalization and AI marketing strategies are winning

Shoppers don’t just want a product – they want something that feels personal. 

89% of business leaders say personalization is crucial to their success over the next three years, and over 70% agree that AI adoption will change personalization and marketing strategies.

Sustainability and smart shopping matter more to holiday shoppers

Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z plan to buy resale or upcycled products this holiday season, and one in three say sustainability or wellness are top factors in their gift choices.

Across all generations, 78% of consumers are looking for less expensive alternatives, reflecting a blend of cost-consciousness and values-driven shopping.

Print-on-demand fuels flexibility and speed

The global print-on-demand market is expected to reach $57.49 billion by 2033, fueled by demand for personalized and sustainable products.

For holiday sellers, POD platforms like Printful make it easy to launch seasonal designs fast, without inventory risks.

Mobile shopping is dominating

Online holiday shopping keeps shifting toward mobile. 

Mobile spending reached $131.5 billion in 2024, accounting for 54.5% of all online sales, with the share spiking to 65% on Christmas Day.

Social and commerce media drive product discovery

Social media marketing is a constant driver of sales, and the way shoppers find and buy products is expected to adapt rapidly. 

Gen Z is just as likely to discover gift ideas on TikTok or Instagram as through search engines, making social-first campaigns a must.

Newer marketing solutions like shoppable ads, influencer content, and targeted campaigns are on the rise. Powered by commerce media networks like Amazon Ads, they’re growing at over 21% annually and will surpass $100 billion in the US by 2027.

14 Ways to boost holiday sales in 2025

To stand out in the busiest holiday shopping season, you need smart, actionable marketing strategies that drive revenue and get your brand noticed.

1. Prepare early to handle the holiday rush

Map your holiday marketing campaign as soon as possible:

• Start with a promo calendar. Make sure to lock in your biggest holiday marketing events – like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday.
  
  

• Add deadlines. Prepare a timeline for email marketing campaigns, social media posts, and ad launches so your team and marketing plans stay in sync.
  
  

• Stress-test your operations. Confirm fulfillment cutoffs, review previous purchases to forecast holiday demand, and tighten inventory management to avoid stockouts.
  
  

• Polish your storefront. Once the back-end is ready, add holiday-themed banners, gift-ready product blurbs, and a festive theme, all optimized for mobile.
  
  

• Set your offers. Decide on discount codes, bundled deals, and whether you plan on offering free shipping. Make sure to calculate costs so your profit margins remain stable.
  
  

2. Analyze trends and pick winning products

Focus on the top gift-worthy bestsellers for the new holiday shopping season.

Use Google Trends, Amazon Movers & Shakers, or Etsy reports to research shopper search trends for the holiday season. Try to spot shifts in holiday demand before competitors do.

With Printful, you can test ideas quickly and scale what works:

1. Browse our Catalog of products, from classic apparel to seasonal bestsellers.
   
   

2. Use the Design Maker to create unique, holiday-ready designs in minutes.
   
   

3. Connect your store through Printful’s print-on-demand platform.
   
   

4. Publish your products with zero inventory constraints or order minimums.
   
   

5. Start selling without upfront costs.
   
   

Ready to make this holiday your most profitable yet? Create brand-worthy holiday designs today.

3. Optimize your storefront for holiday shoppers

Your website is your holiday window display – make it irresistible.

Add holiday-themed product photos, banners, and homepage hero images that capture the holiday spirit. Keep the design festive but lightweight so your site speed isn’t impacted.

Make sure your online store runs flawlessly on mobile devices, since most holiday shoppers now browse and buy from their phones. Test checkout flow, load times, and payment options to prevent cart abandonment.

Update product descriptions with gifting keywords like “the perfect gift” or “holiday-ready” and inform customers about delivery cutoffs, bundles, or exclusive deals to boost buyer confidence.

4. Create irresistible holiday offers

Discounts alone won’t cut through the noise.

You need creative holiday promotions that feel special. Pair significant discounts with value-driven extras like bundled deals, special promotions, or timed holiday specials.

Test urgency-driven perks, such as free holiday shipping above a set cart value. These simple incentives can boost sales without cutting into profit margins.

Finally, tailor offers to both loyal customers and new customers. Reward returning shoppers with a tiered loyalty program, and launch first-time buyer holiday deals. This balance widens your reach while driving revenue.

5. Build urgency into your store

Shoppers act faster when they feel time or stock is running out. Urgency tactics can drive sales, even without discounts.

Add countdown timers to banners, product pages, and carts to push last-minute decisions. Highlight “only X left” tags or mark items as a limited-edition product to spark FOMO.

Frame offers as holiday specials or exclusive deals that expire after a set date. Use clear copy in marketing campaigns and checkout prompts to encourage customers to complete their order before the deal vanishes. 

6. Work with influencers and user-generated content

Trust sells during the holidays.

Partner with micro-influencers whose niche aligns with your products – they often deliver higher customer engagement than big names. Negotiate short-term holiday campaigns where they showcase products as gift ideas or part of their seasonal routine.

Encourage buyers to share photos or reviews and repurpose that user-generated content in ads, emails, and social media marketing. This boosts brand visibility while demonstrating that real people genuinely enjoy your products.

7. Make policies gift-friendly

Holiday shoppers want peace of mind. Set clear policies to help with buyer confidence:

• Extend return windows into January to reduce hesitation and attract new customers who are buying gifts.
  
  

• Add the option for gift receipts so recipients can exchange sizes or styles without stress.
  
  

• Display shipping cut-off dates prominently on product pages and banners to inform customers exactly when to order for on-time delivery, reducing cart abandonment.
  
  

Clear, gift-friendly policies not only increase conversions but also turn one-time buyers into return customers who remember the hassle-free experience.

8. Prepare for last-minute shoppers

Every year, many holiday shoppers wait until the final days before gift exchanges. Capture them with effective strategies designed for speed and convenience.

Offer expedited shipping or highlight special promotions like same-day delivery, if possible. If shipping deadlines have passed, consider pivoting to digital gift cards, allowing people to send a thoughtful present instantly.

This way, you keep carts full even when the calendar days are running out.

9. Plan post-holiday follow-up

The season doesn’t end on December 25.

Smart holiday marketing efforts extend into January to nurture both loyal customers and new buyers:

• Send thank-you notes or personalized email marketing campaigns with discount codes for their next order.
  
  

• Reference previous purchases to suggest complementary products and encourage customer engagement.
  
  

• Offer loyalty rewards to encourage repeat business. Even small perks can make all the difference in converting one-time shoppers into long-term supporters.
  
  

Post-holiday follow-up keeps the momentum going, helping you boost sales well into the new year.

10. Deliver customer service that shines

During the holiday rush, fast and empathetic support matters.

Shoppers are often stressed, comparing holiday deals, and making quick decisions. A delayed reply could send them to competitors.

Set clear expectations by displaying support hours on your online store and adding self-service resources like FAQs or chatbots. Train your team to handle seasonal returns, exchanges, and questions about special promotions smoothly.

Go the extra mile to build trust – whether with proactive updates and good communication, personalized holiday specials, or other small gestures like offering custom gifts with certain purchases. That trust pays back long after the holidays are over.

11. Use creative marketing to stand out

During the holiday season, every brand runs a sale. To cut through the noise, you need enticing campaigns:

• Publish holiday-themed gift guides or downloadable catalogs to inspire shoppers.
  
  

• Host virtual events such as livestreams, Q&As, or behind-the-scenes product demos.
  
  

• Launch limited edition products, bundled deals, or other special promotions to generate buzz.
  
  

This kind of creative marketing strengthens brand visibility and helps you attract potential customers who want more than cookie-cutter discounts.

12. Experiment with new channels and formats

Don’t rely on the same playbook every year.

As our 2025 trends forecast suggests, shoppers are increasingly discovering products in new ways. Testing fresh marketing approaches is one of the best holiday selling tips to help you reach audiences competitors might miss:

• Use social media posts to promote holiday contests or polls that drive customer engagement.
  
  

• Run shoppable video ads or experiment with commerce media ad placements for better targeting.
  
  

• Test interactive marketing materials, like holiday quizzes that recommend the perfect gift.
  
  

By diversifying channels, you’ll attract new customers and keep your brand top of mind – making all the difference when shoppers choose where to buy.

13. Keep an eye on the numbers

Festive sales mean nothing if they cut too deeply into profits.

Monitor your margins and campaigns in real time:

• Track profit margins, especially if you’re offering free shipping or running significant discounts.
  
  

• Tighten inventory management to prevent costly overstocks or stockouts – but this won’t be a problem if you’re using Print on Demand.
  
  

• Use campaign data to see which promotions drive the most customer engagement and sustainably increase sales.
  
  

By being data-driven, your marketing efforts can boost revenue without hurting your bottom line.

14. Create a festive shopping experience

The holidays are about connection, generosity, and the simple joy of giving. Your store should reflect that.

Don’t just sell products – sell the feeling of the season. Dress your storefront the way you’d dress your home with warmth and a festive atmosphere. That means holiday-themed banners, cozy product photography, or collections that make gift-finding easy.

But the experience goes beyond design. Make your campaigns thoughtful and avoid overloading shoppers with pressure or gimmicks. 

Instead, focus on how your products fit into the bigger picture – a family gathering, a small tradition, or the feeling when someone opens the perfect gift.

The day before launch: Final checks

Use the last 24 hours to prepare your online store for increased holiday traffic:

• Test site speed, checkout flow, and mobile UX
  
  

• Verify inventory levels and update product availability
  
  

• Double-check that banners, pop-ups, and holiday deals are live and accurate
  
  

• Schedule teaser social media posts and reminder emails
  
  

• Test discount codes, bundled deals, and free shipping thresholds
  
  

• Confirm live support coverage and campaign monitoring roles with your team
  
  

Launch day: Go live with confidence

On the big day, focus on speed and engagement:

• Post launch updates and pin promos on social media
  
  

• Monitor customer behavior and adjust ad spend in real time
  
  

• Track performance metrics to spot quick wins or weak points
  
  

• Respond instantly to chats, emails, and comments to avoid abandoned carts
  
  

• Verify that urgency tools (timers, low-stock alerts) are working correctly
  
  

• Thank early buyers with quick personal touches or bonus perks
  
  

Conclusion: Make this holiday season your best yet

The holiday shopping season is your chance to stand out. Plan ahead, launch engaging campaigns and holiday events, and use targeted marketing to attract customers when demand peaks.

Focus on increasing holiday sales without losing sight of the bigger picture – building a sustainable business that thrives year after year.

Reward existing customers with thoughtful follow-ups and highlight the holiday spirit in every campaign. For small shops and local businesses, success comes not just from sales but from creating experiences that keep people coming back.