December is the season of giving, and we’re sure you’d agree when we say the best holiday gift your salon can offer clients is confidence. But how can you turn that into actual bookings? In this case, rolling out holiday promos or marketing offers is the way to go.
This article lists the best salon holiday promotion ideas you can roll out fast, no matter what type of salon you have.
Holiday marketing tactics are a great way to grow your salon during the busiest time of the year. Below are some of the main benefits of implementing your salon holiday promotion ideas:
Pull in first-time customers: Limited-time deals like new-guest bundles or intro prices give curious potential clients a low-risk, straightforward way to finally try your salon’s services.
Reward your regulars: Dropping VIP perks or discounts exclusively for long-time clients makes it more likely for them to continue staying loyal to your salon.
Boost revenue when demand peaks. Longer business hours, quick-turn services, and small upgrades (gloss, chrome, scalp massage) help you serve more people and increase their spend per visit without a hard sell.
Create an extra special experience for clients. A few thoughtful, seasonal touches like cozy drinks, warm towels, or a little take-home sample make visits feel personal and encourage word-of-mouth.
Keep your salon calendar predictable (despite the hectic season). Promotions give you a reason to require deposits and use a waitlist, which cuts cancellations and keeps prime times fully booked.
Set up future revenue. With bonus credits, gift cards, and other salon holiday promo ideas tied to rebook incentives, you can convert all that holiday traffic into dependable appointments even after the season ends.
Here are some of the best salon marketing ideas you should definitely consider doing this holiday season.
1. Run a giveaway on Instagram
Giveaway contests are great because they’re typically easy for you to set up. Also, who doesn’t love getting free stuff?
So, make sure to keep the mechanics simple so more people will join, ideally just three steps: Participants must follow your salon’s Instagram account, tag a friend, and share the giveaway announcement post on their Instagram stories.
When it comes to the prize, it’s best to pick one that spotlights a service you want to get more bookings for. Think a “New Year’s Eve Glam Bundle” or a “Chrome Mani-Pedi Party for Two.”
Lastly, post clear rules that indicate who can enter, when the giveaway ends, and how you’ll contact the winner. You might also want to set a 30-day redemption window to ensure that the contest winner actually claims their prize and books an appointment.
2. Sell holiday gift cards with good deals
Gift cards are the fastest way to bring in revenue now and guarantee bookings later. It’s best to offer both physical and digital cards so you cover in-salon shoppers and last-minute buyers.
Some gift card ideas to consider include:
Prepaid gift cards (fixed value such as $25, $50, $75; or a custom amount)
“Buy one, get one free” gift cards
Discounted-value gift cards (pay $50 for an $80 service total)
Also read: Psychological Pricing Tactics Every Service Business Should Use
3. Offer festive, grab-and-go gift baskets
Pre-made gift baskets make holiday shopping easy, since clients don’t have to guess which of your retail items go together. Not to mention, the festive wrapping makes these look present-ready.
Start with three price points (such as $25, $50, and $100) so clients can decide which best suits their budget. Then, build each basket around one clear theme and with three to four items. Below are some gift basket ideas for various salon types:
Hair: Travel mask + mini oil + satin scrunchies + a $10 service voucher
Nails: Cuticle oil + buffer + chrome topper + mini hand cream
Tanning: Shimmer lotion + mitt + tan extender
Medi-spa: Mini cleanser + SPF + lip treatment
Put samples of these baskets at the register and on a small table near the entrance so your clients can easily spot these. You can also post a 10-second video on social media unboxing each set, which can double as a product explainer on your website or booking page.
4. Partner with local brands and businesses
Local partnerships or collaborations help you reach new clients who are already buying from other businesses in the area.
Start small by picking one partner with a similar target audience as your salon. It can be a boutique, neighborhood cafe, photo studio, or perhaps even a gym.
Then, establish one clear offer that’s simple enough for both teams to execute and a good fit for both brands’ customers. For instance, if you’re partnering with a cafe, guests who present a same-day cafe receipt get $5 off a blowout or $10 off a premium manicure service.
Also read: How To Talk About Money With Clients (Without Feeling Awkward)
5. Roll out limited-time service bundles
Holiday bundles can make booking appointments easier for clients during a hectic festive season. Instead of them having to piece together which services to get, you present ready-to-book sets that match what most clients actually need for the various events they’ll be attending.
Here are a few bundle ideas you should consider:
Hair: Color refresh + shine gloss + 10-minute scalp massage (finish with a blowout)
Nails: Gel manicure + chrome finish + express hand massage
Tanning: Three spray tan sessions + rapid-develop upgrade (ideal for back-to-back holiday events and photos)
Medi-spa: Gentle facial peel + LED session + hydrating booster
Make sure to price each bundle slightly below the total cost of the individual services and products so clients will feel they’re truly getting a bang for their buck.
You can even cap availability for each bundle (e.g., “only 25 available” or “only on Thursdays and Fridays this December”) to create urgency without pressure.
6. Add cozy, seasonal upgrades
It’s best to offer holiday add-ons or upgrades that feel different from your year-round menu.
Think warmth, comfort, and “party-ready” finishing touches that can fit easily into a busy December schedule, such as a peppermint scalp massage or a heated towel wrap with eucalyptus. Additionally, you can provide complimentary cocoa or tea as a tiny surprise that further sets the season’s tone.
Price these add-ons within the $8–$20 range, and label them clearly as “Holiday-Only” or with an end date (e.g., “available through Dec. 31”). That limited window will help nudge clients toward opting for those add-ons right away.
See how it works on Bookedin
7. Host a holiday look workshop
December is packed with parties, photos, and family events, and clients want long-wear looks that they can easily learn and repeat at home. So, why not organize a ticketed workshop that’ll not only help clients but also give you more revenue instantly?
We’re talking a 45-minute session focused on a single outcome — whether that’s a party hairstyle that holds, chrome nails at home, or a “glow before the gala” skin routine.
Keep the structure simple: a brief intro, a live demo, two or three product tips, and then a quick Q&A. That way, guests leave with a look they can replicate at home.
We recommend hosting the workshop in person while also offering a live stream for those who can’t make it. You can also attach a booking incentive to every ticket, like 10% off a New Year appointment if the client books before they leave the workshop.
8. Turn up your rewards program
The holidays pack your schedule with clients who are already spending more on services and maybe even retail items. That’s why December is the best time to spotlight your salon’s loyalty or rewards program (if you already have one).
This will also make it more likely for your regular clients to return early next year, given all the points they can redeem. Here are some ways you can make your rewards program extra festive:
Double-point days: Offer 2x points on two slower weekdays (e.g., Tuesdays and Thursdays) all throughout December to get more bookings for those slots.
Bonus points on key services and items: Clients get +100 points for any holiday service bundle, +50 for gift cards, and +25 for limited-time add-ons.
Referral bonus: Both the referrer and the new guest earn $10 credit after the new guest’s first visit, which must be within December.
Don’t forget to notify clients about it via text and email blasts, social media posts, and a small counter card at each station with a QR to your booking page.
Keep Your Salon Calendar Merry & Full With Bookedin
Start implementing one (or all) of these salon holiday promotion ideas so you’ll turn all that holiday buzz into revenue that carries you straight into January.
Lean into the season with gift cards, luxe product kits, and limited-edition bundles — thoughtful, stress-free presents that deliver confidence. Keep the vibe warm with festive music, seasonal drinks, appreciation treats, and little VIP perks.
When the atmosphere feels special, your clients will remember you long after the festive lights come down.
To make these promos effortless for clients and staff, make sure to use Bookedin if you haven’t yet. Turn on deposits for in-demand slots, enable automatic reminders to prevent no-shows, and let clients pick add-ons right inside the booking flow.
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P.S. — If you’re on the fence about Bookedin, you can sign up for free and try it with a 14-day trial.
