How to Reward Loyal Customers at Christmas

The Christmas season presents one of the biggest opportunities of the year for businesses to strengthen relationships with their most loyal customers. Amid the festive rush, taking time to slow appreciation can significantly boost retention, increase customer lifetime value and develop a stronger emotional connection with your audience. 

Whether you run an online store, a service-based business or a local shop, thoughtful gestures during the Christmas period can set you apart from competitors and leave a lasting impression. In this article, we’ll be talking about why rewarding your customers at Christmas is important, as well as how to do it effectively.

Why is it important to reward loyal customers at Christmas?

There are multiple reasons why a business should look to reward its loyal customers. More often than not, new customers will get the best deals. So it’s time to turn the tide and make sure that those customers who are being loyal to you and your brand are rewarded for not going elsewhere. But why is that important for companies looking to boost customer base retention? Let’s take a closer look:

• Strengthens customer relationships – a simple gesture of appreciation reminds customers that they’re valued and not just buyers. They should be seen as partners in your brand’s journey. This emotional connection translates into repeat purchases long after the Christmas season is over
• Encourages repeat business – Christmas is a peak purchasing period. Rewarding loyal customers with exclusive offers or perks can encourage them to choose your business over that of your competitors
• Boosts brand reputation – customers love talking about a positive experience. A thoughtful Christmas reward can generate word-of-mouth marketing and positive reviews
• Sets the tone for the rest of the year – ending the year with goodwill helps position your brand for a strong start in January and throughout the rest of the year

How to reward loyal customers at Christmas

Now that we know why rewarding loyal customers at Christmas is so paramount, it’s time to give you some hints and tips for achieving that effectively. From sending personalised Christmas cards and emails to exclusive Christmas discounts, deals, offers and promotions, here’s how to reward loyal customers over the festive season:

Send personalised Christmas cards

A handwritten or personalised card shows genuine appreciation. Make it feel sincere and heartfelt – use the customer’s name, mention their support over the year and thank them directly. This is especially impactful for service-based or local businesses. Try to include a small discount code or voucher inside for an added surprise.

Offer exclusive Christmas discounts, deals, offers & promotions

Reward your loyal customers with early access to your Christmas sales or create exclusive discount codes just for them. This makes customers feel part of an exclusive group and encourages additional purchases. Some ideas for this can include: VIP-only sale days, loyalty-only promotional codes and even bundled offers with extra value.

Give small gifts or freebies

Even small, low-cost items can make a big impact. Consider gifts that align with your brand and feel useful or meaningful. Some examples of this can include: branded goodies, such as mugs, tote bags or calendars, free product samples, mini Christmas treats and even a digital gift, such as an ebook or exclusive guides.

Upgrade their loyalty benefits for Christmas, if they’re already claiming existing ones

If you run a loyalty programme, Christmas is the perfect time to offer enhanced benefits as a thank-you. Some ideas could be: double-points throughout the month of December, free shipping upgrades, extended returns for loyal members and also early access to new products.

Run a Christmas giveaway  

Host a VIP-only giveaway to thank loyal customers for their support. This adds excitement and engagement during the Christmas period. Promote your competition through email marketing and social media channels to maximise participation. Some of the prizes could include things like: high-value product bundles, experience-based gifts and even gift vouchers for varied amounts, to name just a few.

Create festive, value-packed content throughout the season

Sometimes, the best gift isn’t a discount – it’s content. Provide something genuinely useful or enjoyable so as to position your brand as helpful rather than just promotional. Some examples of this include: Christmas buying gift guides, exclusive videos or tutorials, Christmas recipes or tips and even free downloadable templates.

Host a customer appreciation event

If suitable for your business, host a small in-store or online event to celebrate your customers. Events will often give customers a chance to interact with your brand on a personal level. Therefore, it will work to strengthen loyalty even further. Some ideas that you can use to achieve this include:

• A festive open house with drinks and snacks
• A virtual workshop 
• A virtual Q&A
• A live shopping event with special, exclusive offers

Make a charitable donation on their behalf

For customers who appreciate socially conscious brands, donating to a charity on their behalf can be a meaningful way to show gratitude. It’s a thoughtful way to spread goodwill while reinforcing your brand’s positive impact. This all works particularly well if you both align the donation with your brand’s values and if you allow customers to vote on the chosen charity. 

Provide exceptional Christmas customer service

During the Christmas season, which can be extremely busy and hectic, simply going above and beyond can feel like a gift in itself. Customers will remember when a business makes their life easier at a busy time of year. With this in mind, enhance your customer service by: offering extended support hours, providing faster response times and ensuring a hassle-free returns process.

Kumo is a full-service digital marketing agency supported by a dedicated, highly skilled team. Based in Nottingham, we work with clients across the UK, helping organisations in a wide range of sectors achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes. Our expertise spans SEO, PPC, content marketing, web design and more. Get in touch with our friendly, experienced team to discover how we can help move your business forward – we’re always here to support you.