5 Holiday Promotion Ideas to Boost Sales and Engagement

The holiday season presents significant potential for businesses to drive sales growth, with consumer spending increasing during this period. To maximize this opportunity, brands are turning to digital promotions to boost revenue, expand visibility, and deepen customer engagement.

From gamification and re-engagement sweepstakes to countdown promotions, user-generated content (UGC) contests, and cross-brand collaborations, there are many ways to stand out in a crowded holiday market. The following five strategies, illustrated with real-world campaigns run by Realtime Media together with our client partners, show how the right promotion can deliver strong seasonal results while creating long-term brand value.

1. Gamify the shopping experience to create urgency and motivate participation.

Why It Works: Gamification introduces competition and excitement, turning routine shopping trips into engaging events.

When tied to sweepstakes or instant win mechanics, gamification can boost in-store traffic while giving retailers a powerful edge during the crowded holiday season. Black Friday, in particular, is one of the most competitive retail moments of the year and marks the unofficial start of holiday spending. Retailers that use gamified activations during this high-stakes window can create urgency, motivate participation, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Kohl’s demonstrated this approach by launching a gamified promotion that transformed the start of Black Friday into a destination event. Beginning at 5 a.m. local time, the first 200 customers at each store (300 in select locations) received a peel-and-reveal instant win game piece. With more than $2 million in prizes awarded in the first hour, the campaign motivated early arrivals and positioned Kohl’s as a must-visit stop for deal-hunters.

2. Use re-engagement sweepstakes to keep consumers coming back.

Why It Works: Re-engagement sweepstakes are designed to encourage consumers to return again and again.

When structured with multiple entry opportunities, sweepstakes transform a one-time interaction into an ongoing relationship. Daily or weekly entry periods give consumers repeated reasons to come back, which translates into more brand touchpoints and stronger connections over the course of a campaign. During the busy holiday season, this kind of repeat engagement can keep your brand top-of-mind and extend attention well beyond the initial entry.

A strong example of this approach was Kinder Joy’s partnership with Disney On Ice, which spotlighted its limited-edition holiday toys while driving repeat participation. Over a four-month period around the holidays, consumers could register online for a chance to win and return daily for additional entries. The promotion offered VIP family ticket packages to Disney On Ice shows, complete with Character Experiences. This campaign generated more than 150,000 entries, with the majority fueled by repeat engagement.

3. Build anticipation with countdown promotions.

Why It Works: Countdown promotions tap into the excitement of the holiday season, building anticipation and encouraging repeat visits.

By releasing new prizes or content each day, countdown-style promotions turn a short-term activation into an ongoing experience. Whether delivered through a microsite calendar or daily social posts, the format naturally ties into holiday traditions and gives consumers a reason to checkback regularly. This sustained interaction strengthens brand visibility while amplifying the festive spirit.

One brand that embraced this strategy was Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino Tequila, which ran a “12 Days of Cristalino” Instagram sweepstakes in mid-December. Participants answered a trivia question each day on Instagram for a chance to win a $400 gift card, with one winner selected nightly. To encourage full-series participation, those who played all 12 days were automatically entered into a Grand Prize drawing for a trip to Las Vegas. The daily cadence built excitement, reinforced brand awareness, and kept engagement strong across the campaign’s duration.

4. Inspire creativity with UGC photo contests.  

Why It Works: UGC contests invite consumers to share their own stories and images, creating authentic content that strengthens community connections.  

The holidays naturally inspire sharing, which makes UGC photo contests a perfect fit for the season. These campaigns provide an opportunity for brands to connect with audiences in a more personal way, while also generating creative submissions that can be repurposed in future marketing. By celebrating consumer participation, brands can build engagement, reinforce community, and foster lasting loyalty.

A festive illustration of this concept came from Instacart and Purina, who partnered on the “Pawliday Photo Contest.” Pet owners were invited to share fun, seasonal photos of their pets to an online gallery during a two-week campaign in December. The contest awarded multiple winners, with the Grand Prize combining $250 in Purina products and a $250 Instacart gift card. The promotion successfully encouraged consumer creativity while providing the brands with authentic, user-generated content for future use.

5. Expand reach with cross-brand collaborations.

Why It Works: Cross-brand sweepstakes extend visibility, introduce consumers to new products, and expand opt-in databases across portfolios.

By combining complementary categories, brands can increase prize value, attract a broader audience, and drive trial across multiple product lines. These collaborations are especially effective during the holidays, when consumers are more open to discovery and willing to engage with new offerings.

One campaign that leveraged this approach was the Optic Obsessed Holiday Sweepstakes from Colgate Optic White, in partnership with sister skincare brands Filorga, EltaMD, and PCA SKIN. Winners received one of 300 curated beauty boxes featuring Colgate Optic White products alongside premium skincare items from the partner brands. The promotion delivered multiple benefits: a larger consumer base for all participants, growth in opt-in databases, and increased visibility for Colgate’s Optic Obsessed Perks Program.

Final Thoughts

Holiday promotions offer brands a powerful way to capture consumer attention during a critical revenue period. By driving sales, building engagement, and expanding reach, the right promotion can spark measurable results during the season and strengthen connections that carry into the year ahead.

Reach out to Realtime Media today and make your next holiday promotion a success!

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