How to Generate More Revenue During the Holiday Season
By Maria Ramos, Licensed Esthetician, Founder & Lead Admin of The Money Making Esthetician Facebook Group
The holidays aren’t just busy—they’re buying season. As estheticians, we know our clients are already in the mood to spend, gift, and treat themselves. This isn’t the time to slow down—it’s the time to get smart about how we work. A few small tweaks can make a big difference in your bottom line (and honestly, most of them are pretty fun to do).
Table of Contents
- Sell Gift Cards Like Hot Cocoa
- Create Limited-Time Holiday Packages
- Membership Push with Incentives
- Retail Gifting Made Easy
- Run a “12 Days of Beauty” Countdown
- Partner with Local Businesses
- Offer After-Hours or “VIP Shopping” Events
- Upsell Add-Ons Clients Actually Want
- Leverage Social Media for Flash Sales
- Plan for January Revenue Too
1. Sell Gift Cards Like Hot Cocoa
If you’re not already selling gift cards, start now. They’re the easiest way to make extra income—and they practically sell themselves this time of year.
Make it stupid simple for clients to buy: add a QR code at checkout, offer both digital and physical cards, and put them front and center. Try something like, “Spend $150, get a $25 bonus card.” Clients love feeling like they’re getting a deal, and you’ll love the higher ticket sales.
2. Create Limited-Time Holiday Packages
People love the word “limited.” I bundle my best sellers into holiday-only packages—think:
- “Holiday Glow Facial + Take-Home Mask”
- “Stress-Free Skin Session” with a mini massage
Set a clear end date so people don’t wait too long to book. Urgency works, and it feels natural during the holidays.
3. Membership Push with Incentives
If you’ve been meaning to grow your membership numbers, now’s your chance. Offer a small holiday thank-you gift when clients sign up. I’m giving cute little $7.50 ornaments this year—it’s thoughtful, festive, and honestly costs less than a fancy coffee.
That tiny gesture goes a long way in turning one-time clients into regulars.
4. Retail Gifting Made Easy
Clients are shopping anyway, so help them shop with you. Put together ready-to-go gift kits like:
- Stocking stuffer serums
- Winter hydration bundles
- “Self-Care Sunday” boxes
Add tissue paper or a little bow so it’s instantly giftable. Convenience is everything this time of year—and you’ll be surprised how quickly those kits disappear.
5. Run a “12 Days of Beauty” Countdown
This is one of my favorite ways to build buzz. For 12 days, feature a new deal, product, or upgrade each day. Some ideas:
- 20% off a featured item
- Free lip treatment with any facial
- One-day-only gift card deal
It keeps clients checking in daily and gives you tons of content for your socials or email list.
6. Partner with Local Businesses
Find a few nearby businesses and team up. Maybe your clients get 10% off a facial when they show a receipt from a local coffee shop—or you host a mini open house with a boutique or yoga studio.
It’s low effort, high reward, and builds community while putting your name in front of new faces.
7. Offer After-Hours or “VIP Shopping” Events
I love doing these. Just a couple hours one evening with exclusive deals, mini treatments, and light snacks can bring in a ton of retail sales.
Keep it cozy—cocoa, candles, maybe a little sparkle—and make it feel special. People love the private experience (and you’ll love the checkout totals).
8. Upsell Add-Ons Clients Actually Want
Clients are already in treat-yourself mode, so give them easy yeses:
- Peppermint scalp massage
- Hydrating lip or eye mask
- Quick LED mini-session
Keep it short (under 15 minutes) and affordable (under $25). It’s an easy way to increase revenue without adding a ton of extra work.
9. Leverage Social Media for Flash Sales
Use your stories or posts for fast, time-sensitive offers like:
- “Today only: Buy one, get one half off.”
- “Book a December facial and get a free brow wax.”
Post it, talk about it, and reply quickly. Clients love that sense of urgency and the feeling that they’re getting something exclusive.
10. Plan for January Revenue Too
We all know January can get quiet. To keep things rolling, pre-sell something like a “New Year Skin Reset” that can only be booked in December but used in January.
You’ll lock in revenue now and keep your schedule full when things slow down.
Wrapping It All Up
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a big marketing plan or fancy promotions to make more money this season. Just make it easy for clients to buy, keep things festive, and add small touches that make people feel cared for.
The holidays are about connection—and that’s exactly what we do best as estheticians. When you focus on that, the revenue naturally follows.
Looking for more guidance on growing your esthetics business? Join the Money Making Esthetician Facebook Group for real-world strategies and inspiration—created by estheticians, for estheticians.
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