10 Holiday Offers to Get More Sales Without Discounts

When brands think of holiday promotions, most default to slashing prices. 20% off, 30% off, 50% off. Sure, discounts dominate Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) marketing, but deep markdowns aren’t the only way to win big during the holiday rush. For many ecommerce businesses, discounts are a one-way ticket to thin margins and a weakened brand.

Discount-heavy BFCM strategies train customers to only shop during sales, cheapen product value, and eat into profit. The good news? You don’t need discounts to succeed. With the right holiday marketing offers, you can stand out, protect margins, and keep customers excited to buy.

Let’s cover 10 creative holiday offer ideas you can use instead of discounts. These promotions work across holiday email campaigns, SMS marketing, and ecommerce sites, giving you the flexibility to run profitable and memorable BFCM campaigns.

1. Free Gift With Purchase (GWP)

Instead of cutting prices, add value with a gift-with-purchase promotion. Think: free mini serum with skincare, tote bag with apparel, or a limited-edition ornament for home goods. Customers love the feeling of getting something extra for free, and it increases average order value.

  • Email marketing angle: Visual hero image of the gift with bold copy like “Yours free with any $100 order.”
  • SMS marketing angle: “Your order just got an upgrade 🎁 Free tote today only.”

2. Bonus Gift Cards

Gift cards are gold during the holidays. Run a holiday gift card promotion like “Buy $100, get a $20 bonus card.” Customers see it as free money, you lock in higher AOV, and it guarantees repeat visits after the season ends.

  • Email tie-in: Show the math clearly: “Spend $100, get $120.”
  • SMS tie-in: “Holiday PSA: Buy $100 gift card, get $20 free 💸.”

3. Free Shipping & Express Upgrades

Yes, free shipping is expected, but you can still turn it into a powerful holiday upsell strategy. Raise thresholds (“Free express shipping over $200”) or offer an upgrade (“This weekend only: every order ships express”). During BFCM, faster delivery is a game-changer.

  • Email tie-in: Countdown banner: “Order by Friday for free express shipping.”
  • SMS tie-in: “Last chance 🚚 Free express shipping ends tonight.”

4. Holiday Bundles & Gift Sets

Create holiday-exclusive bundles using your existing products. Curated sets feel gift-ready without you discounting individual items. Think “Holiday Skincare Set,” “Gifts Under $50,” or “Party-Ready Bundle.”

  • Email tie-in: Lifestyle imagery of sets with festive packaging.
  • SMS tie-in: “They’ll never know you didn’t wrap it 😉 Holiday gift sets are live.”

5. VIP Early Access & Exclusive Perks

Give your best customers status, not just savings. VIP early access promotions make them feel like insiders. Add perks like extended shipping deadlines or limited-edition packaging. Perfect for limited-run or high-demand products.

  • Email tie-in: “Shh… VIP access starts now ✨.”
  • SMS tie-in: “VIPs only 🚪 Shop 24 hrs early. Don’t tell anyone.”

6. Charitable Holiday Campaigns

Align your brand with purpose. Run a cause-related holiday promotion: “For every order, we’ll donate $10 to [charity].” Customers aren’t just buying gifts; they’re buying meaning. Stronger when tied to your mission (eco brands → environmental groups, kids brands → children’s charities).

  • Email tie-in: Tell the story visually with impact photos.
  • SMS tie-in: “Your gift does double duty 🎁 + ❤️ Every order gives back.”

7. Limited-Edition Holiday Packaging

Sometimes, the packaging is the product. Offer collectible holiday packaging, like festive tins, reusable pouches, or seasonal labels. Customers love exclusivity, and it instantly makes their purchase gift-ready.

  • Email tie-in: Hero photo with copy like “Gifts that look wrapped already.”
  • SMS tie-in: “Skip the wrapping paper 🎁 Holiday packaging is here.”

8. Mystery Gift or Surprise Offers

Tap into curiosity with a holiday mystery promotion. Offer a surprise gift with orders over $75 or run secret “mystery deals” for your VIPs. Just make sure the surprise feels valuable.

  • Email tie-in: “Your mystery gift awaits…”
  • SMS tie-in: “Orders $75+ get a surprise 🎁 Today only.”

9. Personalized & Customization Options

Offer holiday personalization like engraving, embroidery, or custom gift notes. Customers see this as thoughtful gifting, not upselling. Add urgency with deadlines (custom work always needs buffer time).

  • Email tie-in: “Make it theirs 🎁 Personalization ends Dec. 10.”
  • SMS tie-in: “Still time to customize ✍️ Order by Friday for guaranteed delivery.”

10. Tiered Rewards & Spend More, Get More

Gamify shopping with tiered holiday promotions:

  • Spend $100 → Free mini.
  • Spend $200 → Full-size.
  • Spend $300 → Both + free express shipping.

Shoppers feel like they’re unlocking levels, which drives bigger carts.

  • Email tie-in: Visual ladder graphic showing spend thresholds.
  • SMS tie-in: “Unlock more 🎁 More you spend = more you get.”

Your Holiday Offers Can Go Beyond Discounts

The brands that win during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 won’t be the loudest discounters. They’ll be the ones with creative, margin-friendly holiday offers that excite customers without slashing prices.

From gifts with purchase to VIP perks and holiday bundles, these strategies protect profit while making your brand unforgettable. Execute a few of these in your BFCM email flows and SMS campaigns, and you’ll rise above the noise while building stronger customer loyalty.

Want more tested strategies? Grab my 2025 BFCM Briefing, and start planning a holiday season that sells without sacrificing margins.

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