4 Holiday Content Marketing Ideas to Boost Your Small Business

It’s that time again! The holiday season is such a golden opportunity for small businesses to connect with customers. But with so many brands vying for attention, you need smart, strategic content marketing to stand out. Whether you’re promoting a product, service, or experience, these four holiday content ideas can help you engage your audience, build trust, and drive sales. Let’s dive in!

Create a Festive Gift Guide or Holiday-Themed Blog Post

A well-crafted holiday gift guide is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reach seasonal shoppers. According to Sprout Social, holiday-themed content and visuals help brands capture attention and “keep marketing messages cohesive across platforms.”

You can build your own guide by curating your products or services into themed sections such as “For the Busy Parent,” “For the Home Chef,” or “For the Hard-to-Shop-For Friend.” Promote it as a downloadable PDF or a blog post titled “Your [Business Name] 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.”

NetSuite recommends pairing gift guides with a simple holiday email or social media campaign to increase visibility and drive traffic. A companion video, carousel, or Instagram Reel showing the products in action adds a festive touch.

For inspiration, the Black Illustrations holiday marketing guide suggests updating your website with a holiday-themed landing page that ties the guide, email, and social posts together for a unified seasonal experience.

Run a Holiday Contest or Giveaway

A fun giveaway can build engagement and expand your audience during the busiest shopping season of the year. Constant Contact highlights contests and giveaways as one of the most effective ways for small businesses to boost visibility and customer interaction.

Ask followers to share a favorite holiday tradition, tag a friend, or post a photo featuring your product. Wix notes that user-generated content (UGC), such as customer photos or videos, increases credibility and creates authentic social proof.

Keep your contest simple, choose a prize your customers actually want, and promote it across all your channels. Set the entry deadline early in December so winners can receive their prize before the holidays.

Why it works: Giveaways foster goodwill and generate organic content you can reshare later (“Congrats to our winner!”), keeping your business in your followers’ feeds throughout the season.

Share Behind-the-Scenes and Value-Add Content

Not every post should push a sale. Customers also respond to authentic, story-driven content that adds value. Constant Contact recommends mixing promotional and educational posts — such as “How to choose the perfect gift” or “5 Ways to Simplify Your Holiday Prep.”

You can also give customers a peek behind the scenes: film your team wrapping gifts, decorating your shop, or prepping year-end services. These small touches remind customers that real people power your business — something big brands can’t replicate!

This type of storytelling content builds connection and trust. When shoppers are ready to buy, your business will already feel familiar and authentic.

Refresh Your Website and Emails with Holiday Flair

First impressions matter, especially online. Updating your digital presence for the holidays signals that your business is active, festive, and ready to help shoppers. Even something so simple as updating your website banner with seasonal imagery, adjusting color palettes, and adding a “Holiday Specials” section, can go a long way. You can also add subtle holiday touches to your emails and social media profiles to create a consistent seasonal vibe.

For email marketing, design a festive template that highlights your top offers or features your holiday gift guide. Be sure to use timely subject lines like “Get Your Holiday Gift Guide — 3 Days Only!” and include reminders about shipping deadlines or limited-time offers.

Holiday content marketing doesn’t have to mean deep discounts or expensive ad campaigns. The key is creating content that connects emotionally, showcases your brand’s personality, and provides real value to customers. By publishing a holiday gift guide, running a cheerful contest, sharing authentic behind-the-scenes stories, and updating your digital touchpoints, your small business can stand out — even in a crowded marketplace.

As the Associated Press notes, small retailers are already adapting to shorter holiday shopping windows, so getting your content strategy in place early can give you a powerful head start. This season, let your content tell a story — one that reminds your customers why shopping small feels big. And remember to stick with the Financial Pantry for the latest tips and trends to help fuel your small business success.