#ChristmasinJuly
Christmas in July sounds a little improbable, doesn’t it? Although with some of the weather we are having so far this summer, maybe not!
But what is Christmas in July?
Well, we know that many countries in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Christmas in the sun, but also – for those of you, uninitiated in this idea….
Christmas in July has arisen due to companies (often retailers or in hospitality) preparing for Christmas early, well in advance of the festive season. They could be attending fairs in order to order stock ready to go on sale after Halloween or they may be seeking early orders for Christmas meals or parties (often at a discount to bring in cash as they prepare for a busy festive season). Therefore, traditionally July has become a month where some businesses are already planning Christmas. This can also mean that they are planning and preparing their marketing materials at this time. In fact, increasingly their preparations are being pushed back into earlier in the year, post Easter.
10 Christmas in July ideas
- Many of us buy Christmas gifts throughout the year, to help spread the cost, rather than spend loads all in one go. Therefore, businesses can take part by creating offers or vouchers that can be bought ahead of time perhaps helping summer cash flow.
- Whether you have actual products ready to sell now doesn’t always matter. You could be planning now. If not, then start brainstorming ideas, then you’re ahead of the game, and also it means that your team will be invested later in the year when the season arrives.
- Take a look back at your previous years’ best-selling products or services and use these as a baseline when you start your planning. Check out services or products that outperformed your expectations – can you provide them again? Can you create an upgrade rather than a repeat?
- Look at sales records for previous years to see when Christmas sales began to pick up – then you can prepare to have fliers, brochures and products/services ready.
- If you deliver your products directly to clients, planning ahead can help with the logistics for the items to reach your customers in time. If you need products to create your product, ensure you have enough in stock – you don’t want to run out!
- Understanding what your clients need is important. Look at some of things that people will need at Christmas – i.e. For some it is a very stressful time, so if your service helps with stress – can you offer a Christmas special relaxation session; massage; calming candles etc. Match their seasonal stress level with services or products that will soothe that stress.
- Create vouchers that can be personalised gifts with a 6-month time limit for use (or whatever you choose).
- Have some small stocking fillers that people can buy on impulse – whether physical or online – those little extra presents people are looking for. Be creative – if you are a service – what could you offer as a trial?
- Ensure your website is updated with your Christmas in July offers visible and easy to see – bright colours/ designs etc.
- Christmas is a time for giving, so you can share your charitable side by creating a ‘buy one, give one’ idea, where with each purchase you donate either an item or money to a community organisation or a local charity that you support.
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