Don't Forget These Holiday Personal Touches!
Welcome back to the blog, friends! It’s so good to have you here. ???? I've been thinking about the Christmas season a lot recently, and I bet it’s been on your radar as well. I’m sure your mind is racing a mile a minute deciding on important details for your holiday displays, Small Business Saturday event, and Christmas Open House. But have you thought about the small details that might make the biggest impact?
Figuring out a few little touches to enhance a shopper’s experience is definitely worth it. If you’re not sure where to start, take a peek at these tried-and-true tips that customers will love you and your store for!
Irresistible Gift Bundles
During the bustling holiday season, I’m sure your door opens and closes every few minutes! Shoppers are curious and excited to see what they can find for their mom, best friend, and aunt. They’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts they can’t get anywhere else.
Creating gift bundles with a big bow or sparkly cellophane wrapping paper is a tried-and-true gifting tip that never fails! The dazzling basket will catch shoppers' attention, and they’ll want a closer look at what’s inside. One of my favorite bundle combinations is an Art Pot paired with a Mini Art Pole. This is the kind of gift that can be personalized to suit every recipient and occasion – it’s perfect for party hostesses, garden lovers, and even neighbors.
You can fit more than just a Mini Art Pole inside the Art Pot, too! Try a 6” potted plant, gift cards, mini bath and body products, or freshly baked treats. After they enjoy what’s inside, they can keep the Mini Art Pole in the pot as a centerpiece, or use it to brighten up their landscape outside.
A more practical (but still just as thoughtful) gift set is a MatMate and a Recycled Rubber Tray. This is the perfect present for someone who recently purchased a new home, moved into a cute new apartment, or just loves home décor.
To wow your customers at checkout, roll the doormat and tray together and tie some jute rope or thick ribbon around them. This is a unique way to style a gift bundle and the recipients won’t know what’s inside until they unroll their present!
Gift Wrapping Station
There’s nothing like receiving a gift that looks too good to unwrap! Adding a gift-wrapping service during the holidays is key to taking some stress off your customers. They want to feel like their gift hunting is 100% complete when they walk out your door. Make this service known via in-store signage, social media, and your email newsletter. It will help draw shoppers in and might even encourage them to get more holiday shopping done at your store because you're making it easy! Seeing a sign in-store could also boost impulse purchases, causing shoppers to buy a few more items to make their gifts feel more complete and ready to wrap.
P.S. Customers love this: Make sure you save and set aside distinctive boxes for items customers would like specially packaged (like Art Poles) to be gift-giving ready. Customers love feeling like you’re going the extra mile just for them!
Personality & Presentation
Your how matters. How you greet your customers, how you check on them, how you package their purchases, how you thank them… these things make a world of a difference to their experience. They’ll remember and hold onto that welcoming, happy feeling of being taken care of. These moments will stick with them, and their positive experience will surely be spread by word of mouth, online reviews, and social media shoutouts. But most importantly, your customers will feel loved, valued, and special.
Which best practice are you most excited to try? Feel free to share other personal touches you’re planning for your store! Here’s to a busy, beautiful, and most of all memorable holiday shopping season.
Ashlee Xavier, Studio M Marketing Specialist
