It’s Go Time: Get Your Holiday Marketing Strategy in Place

Halloween candy isn’t even gone yet, but guess what? Tomorrow is November. And whether you like it or not, the holiday season is officially here.

We get it—you’re still trying to squeeze in the last rounds of golf, not think about peppermint mocha promotions. But here’s the deal: the brands that crush it in November and December are the ones who planned ahead, not the ones frantically posting blurry photos with “Merry Christmas!” slapped on top in Comic Sans (yes, we’ve seen it).

At Manski Media, we live by a strategy-first mindset. Because without a plan, you’ll spend December reacting instead of executing. With a plan, you’ll know where to focus, what to skip, and how to actually enjoy the season without waking up at 2 a.m. panicking over Canva.

Here’s how to use this exact window—Halloween through Thanksgiving—to get your marketing organized, so you can roll into the holidays (and the New Year) with confidence.

Step 1: Lock in Your Holiday Strategy (Yes, Before You Post That "Cute" Graphic)

Pause the Pinterest inspo boards. Before you touch a design tool, figure out:

• What are my goals this season? (Book January remodels? Sell wellness packages? Keep your current clients engaged?)
• Who am I actually talking to? (Loyal customers? Gift-givers? Locals looking to shop small?)
• What’s my holiday message? (Gratitude, stress relief, investment in home, community focus?)

👉 Pro tip (contractors): Bookings are a gift. Literally. Sell the idea of “secure your January project now.”

👉 Pro tip (wellness): Stress sells. Position massage, chiro, or yoga passes as the cure for holiday chaos.

Step 2: Mark the Holiday Dates That Actually Matter

Let’s be honest—there are way too many “holidays” floating around online. You don’t need a post for National Cookie Exchange Day (unless you’re literally a cookie shop). Here’s your cheat sheet:

• Nov 27 – Thanksgiving: Keep it light, keep it grateful. Save promos for the weekend.
• Nov 28 – Black Friday: Doesn’t have to be a race-to-the-bottom discount. Think bundles, booking perks, or gift-with-purchase.
• Nov 29 – Small Business Saturday: Your time to shine. Share your story, spotlight your team, and remind Central Oregonians why hiring local matters.
• Dec 1 – Cyber Monday: If you’ve got gift cards or online booking, this is your day. Make links easy and obvious.
• Dec 2 – Giving Tuesday: Not everything has to scream “buy now.” Share a cause you support—local giving goes a long way.
• Dec 15 – Green Monday: Push booking or gift card deadlines. People procrastinate—make their lives easier.
• Dec 20 – Super Saturday: Panic shoppers unite. Cue: gift cards.
• Dec 24–26 – Christmas Eve, Day, After: Keep it festive, keep it human. Then maybe a clearance or “New Year, New Goals” push after.

👉 Pro tip: Extend your runway. Don’t stop at Christmas—roll the energy right into January with resolution-ready messaging.

Step 3: Pick 2–3 Campaign Themes (Because Random = Forgettable)

If your “plan” is just to post whatever sounds good that morning, you’re not planning—you’re winging it. And winging it doesn’t pay the bills.

Instead, build around 2–3 strong campaigns:

• “Invest in Home, Invest in You” – Contractors frame home upgrades as the ultimate family gift.
• “Stress Less Season” – Wellness providers position themselves as the antidote to holiday madness.
• “New Year, New Goals” – Everyone can tap into resolutions messaging come January.

Campaigns give your content structure, consistency, and (bonus) make you look like you actually know what you’re doing.

Step 4: Batch and Schedule Content (Because December Will Eat You Alive)

Reality check: you’re not going to “just post real quick” in December. Between holiday parties, snow delays, and family chaos, you’ll be lucky to keep your inbox under control.

Batch now:

• Promo graphics
• Seasonal team photos or styled service shots
• Reels/TikToks you can schedule in advance

👉 Pro tip: Use a scheduler like Meta Business Suite. Future You will thank Present You for not being stuck copy-pasting captions on Christmas Eve.

Step 5: Make It Ridiculously Easy to Book or Buy

The fastest way to lose a customer? A clunky booking process. Double-check your setup:

• Is your booking link front and center on socials?
• Is your site mobile-friendly? (If it’s slow, they’re gone.)
• Are your services crystal clear?
• Do customers know exactly what to do next?

👉 Pro tip (contractors): Build a simple holiday inquiry form to cut down on back-and-forth.

👉 Pro tip (wellness): Offer e-gift cards. They’re the hero of every procrastinator.

Step 6: Play the Long Game (Retention = Gold)

Sure, holiday sales are nice. But what about January, when everyone’s broke and tired? That’s where retention wins.

• Ask for UGC (clients tagging their remodels, adjustments, or gift cards).
• Incentivize reviews with perks.
• Show your community involvement—it matters here in Central Oregon.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the real talk: the holidays are chaotic. But with a plan, they don’t have to be stressful. By setting your goals now, picking campaigns, and batching content, you’ll not only finish strong—you’ll roll into 2026 ready to roll.

At Manski Media, we help Central Oregon businesses cut through the noise with Strategic Marketing Solutions. Whether you’re a contractor, a wellness provider, or a service-based business, we’ll keep your marketing tight so you can focus on the work that actually matters.

👉 Ready to stop winging it and start winning it? Let’s build your holiday strategy—before December sneaks up on you.

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