6 Strategies to Help Your Salon Thrive During the Holidays

Hairstylist, Salon Owner and Educator Blake Reed Evans (@blakereedevans) shares his tips for making sure your holidays stay magical and your salon business thrives during the hustle and bustle of the season.

The holiday season is a magical time of year, but for salon owners and hairstylists, it’s very easy to be so busy “being busy” that we forget to create a strategy for the holidays. Below are some tips, tricks and advice to make sure you shine throughout the season.

1. Set Up an Online Store via SalonInteractive 

Let’s face it: In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, people are busy! One of the best ways to streamline gift-giving for your clients is by setting up an online store through SalonInteractive. This platform allows you to sell retail products and gift sets and tools directly to clients online. Plus, they can ship these gifts directly to their loved ones.

Imagine this: A client loves the shampoo and conditioner they bought from your salon but doesn't have time to stop by for more. With an online store, they can purchase from your carefully curated selection with the click of a button and even gift a set to their sister or bestie. Plus, it supports your salon business, keeping everything local and personalized.

Pro Tip: A fun activity is to have your client show you a picture of their friend or family member. Then, on the SalonInteractive app, you can send them recommendations, so the items are in their cart when they are ready to buy!

"Most major color and product companies offer loyalty programs that rack up points when you buy their products. If you’ve been stocking up for your salon, now’s the time to use those points to your advantage."Courtesy of Vergani Fotografia via Adobe Stock2. Utilize Loyalty Points for Gifts 

Most major color and product companies offer loyalty programs that rack up points when you buy their products. If you’ve been stocking up for your salon, now’s the time to use those points to your advantage.

Turn those points into gifts for your clients! Use them to purchase professional tools, hair products or even limited edition holiday sets that you can give away as part of a promotion.

For example, set up a promotion where anyone who buys a gift set from your salon or spends a certain amount during the holiday season is automatically entered to win a flat iron, hair dryer or a product bundle. This not only encourages more purchases but also makes your clients feel special, knowing they have a chance to win a little something extra.

3. Gift Card Strategy for Black Friday Week 

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without gift cards. Gift cards give clients the flexibility to choose what they really want. It’s also a great way to reward your clients' loyalty. Maybe they’ll indulge in the gift cards for themselves but give the bonus cards to a friend or family member.

Here’s where the strategy comes in: During Black Friday week, promote a bonus card offer. For every gift card purchased over a certain amount (say $100), offer a bonus card worth $20. The key is to limit the usage of this bonus card to a specific time frame, like January through March 2025. This ensures that the bonus card brings clients back into the salon during a time when business might typically slow down after the holiday rush.

Some salons limit the bonus cards to product purchases only, which can be a smart way to boost retail sales during the quieter months. However, you could also allow them to be used on specific services that don’t take up a ton of time, like a gloss treatment or blowout, keeping your schedule open for larger-ticket services.

Pro Tip: Get creative with how you package the gift cards. Slip them into a holiday-themed greeting card with a cute note or offer them in a small gift bag with travel-sized products.

4. Stock Up on Holiday Gift Sets "Holiday gift sets are a no-brainer, but you want to ensure you have a variety of options available for all your clients. Brands typically offer limited-edition sets during the holidays, so stock up on fan favorites."Courtesy of Pixel-Shot via Adobe Stock

Holiday gift sets are a no-brainer, but you want to ensure you have a variety of options available for all your clients. Brands typically offer limited-edition sets during the holidays, so stock up on fan favorites from your go-to brands like Redken, Olaplex or Amika.

Make sure you have sets that cover a range of budgets—from affordable stocking stuffers like travel-sized kits to more indulgent collections with styling tools, mask or treatment oils.

Pro Tip: Set up a dedicated area in your salon for these holiday gift sets. Presentation matters! Make it festive and fun with holiday decor, and don’t forget to promote these sets on your social media and online store to maximize visibility.

5. Holiday Promotions and Bundles 

Offering promotions during the holiday season can drive traffic to your salon and increase sales. One idea is to create bundle deals on services, like combining a cut and color with a deep conditioning treatment at a discounted rate. This adds value to your clients while giving them that extra holiday glow.

If you’re short on retail stock, another idea is to offer service-only gift packages, like a prepaid blowout series or a package of five haircuts at a discounted price. This way, clients can indulge in pampering themselves (or someone else) without any physical product attached.

Pro Tip: Promote these bundles as "limited-time offers" to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Don’t forget to remind clients that self-care is a fantastic gift—sometimes the best gift you can give is a little “me time.”

6. Leverage Social Media 

Don’t just keep these amazing gift ideas to yourself—spread the word! Use your social media platforms to create holiday gift guides showcasing all of the products, tools and services your salon offers.

• Use Instagram Reels or TikTok to create fun, engaging videos of your top picks.
• Post stories highlighting different gift sets or share behind-the-scenes clips of how you prepare your holiday offerings.
• Set up a “countdown to New Years” where you highlight a different product or service every day leading up to the holiday.

 Pro Tip: Be sure to include a direct link to your SalonInteractive store or booking site, so clients can shop immediately.

With a solid strategy in place, your salon can not only survive but thrive during the holiday season. Offering online shopping through SalonInteractive, utilizing loyalty points for giveaways, implementing a smart gift card strategy and stocking up on the best holiday sets are all essential steps to making this season your best yet. Don’t forget to keep the fun and festive energy alive with promotions and social media engagement — It’s all about spreading joy, both in your salon and to your clients and their loved ones!

About the Author: 

Blake Reed Evans (@blakereedevans) is a hairstylist and owner of Shear Art Salon in Tampa, Florida. He is a Redken Pro Artist and a member of Salon Centric's #ItTakesAPro Team. He is also the host of SUMM IT UP,  a podcast from Summit Salon Business Center that engages salon, school, barbershop and spa professionals on our shared path toward happiness in the beauty industry.