9 Ways to Extend Your Holiday Promotions After Black Friday

Here’s how to extend your holiday promotions and make the most of the festive season.

1. Turn Your One-Day Deals Into Season-Long Offers

Why It Works:

Black Friday and Cyber Monday often create a sense of urgency, but extending these deals builds trust and gives late shoppers a chance to take part.

Holiday spending is projected to grow by 8% this year, with households averaging $1,778 in spending, according to Deloitte’s 2024 US Holiday Retail Outlook. Extending your promotions ensures your attraction remains top of mind as consumers continue to shop.

How to Do It:

• Rebrand the Deals: Rename your Black Friday offers as "Holiday Exclusives" or "Festive Savings."
• Include Tiered Discounts: For example, "The more you shop, the more you save."
• Countdown Promotions: Weekly deals leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day create anticipation and repeat visits.

2. Capitalize on Last-Minute Gifting

Why It Works:

Many shoppers wait until the last minute. Offering flexible, quick, and thoughtful gift options can capture this audience.

How to Do It:

• Highlight Gift Cards: Promote gift cards as the perfect last-minute option, emphasizing their ease of purchase and flexibility.
• Offer Printable or E-Gifts: Allow instant downloads for gift cards or experience vouchers.
• Run “Stocking Stuffer” Campaigns: Pair smaller items or souvenirs with attraction tickets as ready-to-give packages.

3. Promote Experience-Based Gifts

Here’s how Xtreme Xperience makes it easy for customers to give their loved ones an unforgettable thrill.  

By using messaging like “Happiness Is Only Real When Shared” to tap into the emotional appeal of gifting experiences, they highlight the joy of creating lasting memories together. This approach helps drive immediate sales and foster long-term engagement and loyalty.

Why It Works:

Consumers increasingly value experiences over material goods. Spending on experiences is expected to increase by 16% this year, reflecting the growing preference for events and shared moments over traditional gifts.

Highlighting experiences positions your attraction to capture this trend while fostering long-term engagement and loyalty.

How to Do It:

• Create Bundles: Combine memberships, season passes, or behind-the-scenes tours with limited-time holiday perks like photo souvenirs or free drinks.
• Encourage Giving Experiences as Gifts: Use phrases like “The Gift of a Magical Moment” or “Share the Joy of Adventure.”
• Run Social Campaigns: Share heartwarming stories of customers who gifted their loved ones unforgettable experiences at your attraction.

4. Host Holiday-Themed Events

Assiniboine Park Zoo transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland each year, featuring over 1.5 million lights, interactive displays, and festive activities—making it an unforgettable attraction for families and friends.  

By pairing their holiday-themed experience with a BOGO Black Friday deal, they successfully encourage early bookings while adding value for visitors. This approach demonstrates how nighttime spectacles and seasonal experiences can position your attraction as a must-visit holiday destination, driving both engagement and revenue.

Why It Works:

Themed events create a sense of occasion, drive bookings, and position your attraction as a festive destination.

How to Do It:

• Seasonal Experiences: Examples include “Christmas at the Zoo,” or “Winter Wonderland at the Park.”
• Partner with Local Vendors: Bring in holiday markets or food trucks to create a well-rounded experience.
• Nighttime Spectacles: Use light shows or evening tours to appeal to those seeking unique experiences.

5. Incentivize Repeat Visits

Here’s how African Safari Wildlife Park uses repeat visit incentives to keep guests engaged and coming back for more.

By offering 40% off a four-person Annual Pass, they encourage visitors to invest in multiple visits throughout the year, enhancing customer loyalty while delivering great value. Campaigns like this not only maximize lifetime value but also build stronger connections with guests who return with family and friends.

Why It Works:

Loyalty pays. By encouraging guests to return or bring their friends, you maximize lifetime value while enhancing customer engagement.

How to Do It:

• Membership Perks: Offer extra discounts or exclusive holiday events for members.
• "Visit Twice, Save More" Campaigns: Promote a return discount for visitors who book within the holiday season.
• Referral Programs: Incentivize visitors to bring friends with bonus gifts or discounts.

6. Optimize Marketing for Post-Holiday Shoppers

Why It Works:

The shopping frenzy doesn’t stop at Christmas. Consumers are looking for post-holiday deals and experiences to use their gift cards.

How to Do It:

• "New Year, New Adventures" Campaigns: Highlight January promotions or special events.
• Gift Card Redemption Push: Run ads and email campaigns encouraging recipients to redeem their holiday gift cards.
• Discounts on Winter Packages: Offer attractive deals for experiences in January or February to maintain off-season traffic.

7. Use Data-Driven Personalization

Why It Works:

Tailor your offers to different audience segments to increase engagement and conversions.

How to Do It:

• Segment Your Audience: Create targeted campaigns for families, couples, or solo travelers.
• Leverage Past Purchases: Offer upsells or add-ons to customers who purchased gift cards or packages.
• Use Retargeting Ads: Reach customers who visited your website during Black Friday but didn’t complete their purchase.

8. Leverage Social Media and Influencers

Here’s an example of how social media can amplify your holiday promotions as an attraction.

Taronga Zoo’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway offers unique prizes like wildlife encounters and overnight stays, creating social media buzz and keeping their holiday offers top of mind.

Why It Works:

Social media buzz keeps your promotions top-of-mind and drives word-of-mouth marketing.

How to Do It:

• Run a "12 Days of Christmas" Giveaway: Encourage followers to engage daily for a chance to win prizes.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with local influencers to promote your extended holiday offers.
• Create Shareable Content: Use holiday-themed hashtags and UGC contests to amplify reach.

9. Incorporate Flexible Payment Options

Why It Works:

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options lower the barrier for higher-ticket purchases during the holidays.

How to Do It:

• Promote BNPL Early and Often: Highlight flexible payment options in emails, social posts, and checkout pages.
• Bundle Discounts with Payment Plans: For example, “Pay Later on a 3-Day Pass and Save 10%.”
• Educate Your Audience: Use blog posts or social media to explain the ease and benefits of BNPL.

Wrapping Up: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Extending your holiday promotions isn’t just about driving revenue—it’s about creating lasting relationships with your audience. Meaningful deals and exciting experiences can keep the holiday spirit alive, driving end-of-year sales and paving the way for a successful new year.

Need more inspiration for your holiday marketing? Check out our resources or book a demo to learn how RocketRez can help you make the most of this holiday season.