When run right, Christmas promotions don’t just boost sales, they build trust that lasts well beyond the festive season. Follow these simple rules to spread holiday cheer without a compliance headache.

• Do: offer genuine holiday discounts and Christmas bundle deals. Holiday or summer-themed bundles with matching products or services give your customers more bang for their buck and help boost your average sale.

• Don’t: hike your prices beforehand to make your discounts look better than they are.

• Do: Be transparent about available stock and time limits.

• Don’t: Use countdown timers or 'only 2 left!' gimmicks to create a false sense of urgency.

• Do: Showcase real, recent customer reviews.

• Don’t: Cherry-pick, recycle, or fabricate testimonials.

• Do: Keep a close eye on your stock levels.

• Don’t: Promote items that are already sold out.

• Do: Offer gift cards or vouchers for easy last-minute gifts.

• Don’t: Set expiry dates shorter than three years: it’s against New Zealand law from March 2026.

Think about what you’d like to do for that slump after Christmas and Boxing Day. Extend offers beyond Christmas to capture keen summer shoppers. Post-holiday sales and exclusive discounts keep customers engaged and drive ongoing sales.

Do you have an email database? Schedule newsletters to go out once the Christmas craziness has settled to connect with your customers and increase sales during the quieter period. What about rewarding loyal customers with exclusive perks like discounts, free shipping, or early access to sales? Build on these incentives to encourage repeat business in the new year.