The holiday season is a popular time of year for businesses to show their appreciation and do something special for their customers and employees. While these initiatives often require an upfront investment of time and money, they can also have a significant positive impact on a company’s bottom line, whether it’s directly from sales or indirectly from happier, more productive employees.
Below, the members of Forbes Finance Council share some of the most successful holiday campaigns their companies have undertaken in previous years and why they were so successful. Read on for some inspiration as you plan your own holiday initiatives.
1. A Community Sports Competition
Last March, we launched the Capstone Real Estate Games in collaboration with Haraka Fitness Studio, a dynamic sports competition that engaged over 150 participants. While designed as a community initiative, it proved successful in indirectly supporting our bottom line by strengthening brand awareness, fostering goodwill and positioning Capstone Real Estate as a trusted, community-focused company. – Amer Al Ahbabi, Vertix Holdings LLC
2. A ‘Year-End Business Boost’ Campaign
Our “Year-End Business Boost” campaign offered expedited funding and small incentives before the holidays. By personally reaching out with tailored solutions, we helped businesses close year-end deals and prep for Q1, driving a spike in funded deals. It proved that timely, practical, client-focused campaigns really move the needle. – Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
3. An Educational Year-End Tax Planning Campaign
As a wealth attorney, our most successful holiday initiative was a year-end tax planning campaign. By educating clients on strategic moves before December 31—like Roth conversions, charitable trusts and tax-efficient gifting—we not only protected wealth but also created record engagement and growth for the firm’s bottom line. – Andre Pennington, Pennington Law
4. An Employee Holiday Party And Time Off
I have found the most impactful holiday investment is celebrating employees. Hosting a holiday party and giving staff Christmas through New Year off shows they are valued. The time to rest and recharge inspires them to push harder in Q4, which ultimately lifts the company’s bottom line in a lasting way. It also creates a culture of loyalty that carries into the new year. – Nike Ajao, OneBarrow Corporation
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5. Year-End Valuation Refresh Packages And Cap Table Reviews
Our most successful holiday campaign was offering valuation refresh packages and streamlined year-end cap table reviews. Founders were eager to close their books cleanly, and this surge not only boosted revenue but reinforced our role as a trusted partner in critical financial decision-making. – Tomas Milar, Eqvista Inc.
6. Client Appreciation Events Focused On Family And Community
One of our most successful holiday investments has been hosting client appreciation events focused on family and community. Instead of heavy advertising, we invested in experiences that deepened trust and loyalty. That goodwill carried into referrals and retention, making the return far exceed the upfront cost. – Michael Foguth, Foguth Financial Group
7. Q1 Campaigns Focused On ‘New Beginnings’
The strength of our campaigns has more to do with the time of year than a specific holiday. In fact, we find that during the traditional holiday season (November to December), it is difficult to break through the clutter of retail advertising and attract new customers. Our best campaigns take place during the first quarter, when everyone is seeking new beginnings to get their finances in order. – Kevin Cohee, OneUnited Bank
8. Limited-Time Offers Based On Customer Insights
The magic of holiday campaigns lies in timing and personalization. One of the most successful efforts combined customer insights with a scheduled, limited-time offer, creating urgency and connection. The result was record-high engagement and a clear lift to the bottom line. – Sumeet Grover, UFCU
9. A Targeted Investor Campaign Around Year-End Allocations
Our most effective holiday initiative was a targeted investor campaign around year-end allocations, aligning with tax strategy and portfolio rebalancing. By packaging private market access alongside public equity insights, we drove record commitments. Timing capital formation around natural liquidity cycles has consistently delivered bottom-line impact. – Jacob D. Frankel, Beyond Alpha Ventures L.L.C.
10. Limited Services With A Charity Donation
Our best holiday wins came from exclusivity and impact. We offered limited services that sold out fast and donated five percent of every sale to a nonprofit. Customers could add gifts too. It turned shopping into a purpose and created loyalty. When you mix profit with purpose, you create loyalty that money cannot buy. – Karla Dennis, KDA Inc.
11. A Financial Literacy Promotion With Discounted Premium Access
A past holiday campaign that proved highly successful was our year-end financial literacy promotion. By offering discounted premium access as a seasonal “gift of knowledge,” paired with referral rewards, we boosted sign-ups sharply. The campaign not only delivered strong holiday revenue but also built loyalty and extended customer lifetime value. – Magdy Hassan Fayed, Forex Gump SRL
12. Exclusive Events For Clients And Their Families
Our best holiday investment is exclusive client appreciation events. Rather than relying on broad marketing, these gatherings for existing clients and their families deepen relationships and encourage word-of-mouth referrals. In the high-net-worth space, a loyal client base fuels the strongest growth. – Elie Nour, NOUR PRIVATE WEALTH
13. High-Exposure Media Campaigns
Christmas, Thanksgiving and especially New Year’s are always a hit for us. We do media advertising on the air during the Super Bowl or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it generates tons of business. Remember, you always want to be in front of your target audience. Planning 12 months in advance can make this worthwhile. Twenty years in the business and it’s still working. Be consistent. – Elijah McCoy, McCoy Brokerage Service, Inc.
14. A ‘Home For The Holidays’ Campaign To Support Local Families In Need
The “Home for the Holidays” wasn’t about selling but about building community and trust. A portion of each closed loan went to local housing agencies to help families locate safe, stable housing. We pitched mortgages to clients and partners as investments, and it increased recommendations, repeat business and pipeline growth the following quarter. – Neil Anders, Trusted Rate, Inc.
The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.