Every kid’s toy brand knows the festive season is boom time!
And, sure, you’ll probably sell more than you will at any other time of the year, thanks to impulse buys. But how do you stop parents from buying stuff from your competitors and, instead, buy from you, so YOU increase toy sales before Christmas?
The best way to drive impulse sales at Christmas is to make sure you’ve got everything in place before the panic buying begins.
10 ways to increase toy sales before Christmas
Yes, you’ll be doing some of these, but you’ll also find something you might not have thought of:
One. Start your Christmas marketing campaigns early
Father Christmas’ elves start their work months in advance and so should you!
Launch your Christmas advertising campaigns as early as possible to grab attention before people start throwing punches over the last toy on the shelf. People start buying presents early, as they like to make sure they have enough money over the Christmas period.
So, whether it’s on social media or in an ad, don’t wait till mid-December to tell people about your stuff!
Two. Create a countdown to your BIG Christmas toy launch
Building anticipation gets people excited.
Plus, you keep putting it in their minds for weeks or months ahead of time. It allows them to pre-order it, and you won’t have to push for sales during a cold launch.
Three. Use limited-edition holiday packaging
Who can resist a toy wrapped in festive packaging?
Not this guy! (that’s me, by the way).
Introducing limited-edition packaging is a genius way to drive toy and game sales before Christmas. Make your product feel like an exclusive gift only available in the lead-up to Chrimbo and it’ll practically fly off the shelves.
You could also add a “gift-ready” tag on your website and product descriptions so parents know they have one less thing to wrap this year (they’ll thank you for it!).
Four. Offer early-bird deals & bundles
People love bargains!
So, offer early-bird discounts or bundle packages on your toys to increase toy sales before Christmas.
When parents see a deal they can’t resist, they’re more likely to buy it there and then.
Try “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” deals or bundle your top toys together.
Five. Add a “Gift Finder” tool on your website
Parents are bombarded with so many choices it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start. Help them by creating a “Gift Finder” tool on your website that filters toys by age, interest and price range.
Not only does it simplify the buying process, but it also keeps potential customers on your site longer, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
Six. Go all-in on your festive marketing
You might not have the budget to rival the John Lewis TV ads, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create online ads that people love and share.
You’re missing out if you’re not using festive-themed ads on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Leverage Christmas marketing tips to give your ads a fun, eye-catching look—think jingles, holly borders, or a countdown clock.
And don’t forget: video ads work wonders.
Show your toys in action, wrapped under a tree or in the hands of excited kids.
It’s a great way to market your stuff to parents.
Seven. Run flash sales
When shoppers feel they might miss out on a great deal, they’re more likely to click “buy.”
Run 24-hour flash sales with special holiday discounts or limited stock to boost your pre-Christmas sales. This strategy works particularly well in the weeks leading up to Christmas when last-minute shoppers are on the hunt.
Use phrases like “ends in 24 hours!” or “while stocks last!” on your site and social media to create urgency.
Eight. Run a ’12 Days of Christmas’ giveaway
For twelve days in December, feature a different toy each day and host mini giveaways. Entries can be simple, like tagging friends or sharing why that specific toy would make a great gift.
Each day’s winner gets the featured toy, creating buzz and excitement for your products.
Nine. Partner with influencers
Okay, hear me out.
A lot of people shudder at the word “influencer“, but influencer partnerships are a fantastic way to increase holiday toy sales. Find a few family-friendly influencers to showcase your toys in gift guides and unboxing videos.
Influencers provide authentic product reviews that resonate with their followers and can boost your sales.
Just think about it, okay?
Ten. Don’t make shipping a pain in the arse
Your customers want to know they’ll get their gift in time for Christmas, so consider offering a “Guaranteed Christmas Delivery” option. This will ease shoppers’ concerns and help you make more sales.
Oh, and don’t forget to add a clear reminder on your website: “Order by December XX for guaranteed Christmas delivery!”
You don’t want earache off someone who orders at 5 pm on the 24th and expects next-day delivery.
You’re not Father Christmas!
Make life easy for your customers and they’ll thank you for it.
You’re gonna sell more toys this Christmas!
There you have it, ten ways to increase toy sales before Christmas!
These Christmas marketing tips will help you stand out in a crowded market and give you a head start in building loyal customers who remember you well into the new year.
So, roll out the red (and green) carpet, deck those virtual halls and make this Christmas your best yet!
Need help from a toy brand copywriter in writing Christmas website copy, product descriptions, ads, articles or blog posts?
Then let’s chat!
I’ve written loads of fun stuff for kids, such as Jurassic World and Jurassic Park toys, as well as cool social posts for Beano.
And I’ve also written an article about the importance of storytelling when selling toys, check out Why storytelling in toy marketing gets you sales.
I’d love to hear from you!
Matt
PS. If you want to read more about Christmas copy and Christmas marketing ideas, check out my articles, Should you use puns in your Christmas marketing? and 27 amazing Christmas marketing ideas.
