How to Get Your Shopify Store Ready for the Holidays (Before It's Too Late)

Last year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend: $11.5 billion in sales on Shopify alone.

24% increase from the previous year.

And most of that went to stores that prepared months in advance.

The stores that waited until November to "get ready"? They scrambled, missed opportunities, and watched competitors clean up.

Here's the truth: the holiday season isn't won in December. It's won in September and October when you're building gift bundles, setting up promo strategies, and optimizing your store for peak traffic.

I've helped dozens of Shopify stores prepare for holidays. The ones that follow this playbook? They do 40-60% of their annual revenue in Q4.

Here's exactly how to get your store ready.

The Holiday Shopping Timeline (Start Earlier Than You Think)

Most store owners think holiday prep starts in November.

Wrong.

Here's when shoppers actually start:

• September: 21% of shoppers start browsing and planning
• October: Early bird deals, gift guide research
• November: Black Friday/Cyber Monday (peak buying)
• December: Last-minute shoppers, gift cards, express shipping

Your prep timeline:

August-September: Foundation

• Audit inventory
• Plan bundles and gift sets
• Design holiday landing pages
• Set up promo code strategy
• Update store theme with festive elements

October: Launch

• Launch early bird deals
• Publish gift guides
• Start email campaigns
• Test checkout flow
• Finalize shipping strategies

November: Execute

• Black Friday/Cyber Monday campaigns
• Daily email sequences
• Retargeting ads
• Live chat support ready
• Inventory management

December: Close Strong

• Last-minute gift messaging
• Gift card promotions
• Express shipping options
• Post-holiday sales planning

January: Retain

• Thank you emails
• Loyalty program invites
• Post-holiday sales
• Analyze what worked

If you're reading this and it's already November, don't panic. You can still execute parts of this. But next year? Start in August.

Strategy #1: Create Irresistible Gift Bundles & Holiday Hampers

Gift bundles are the secret weapon of holiday sales.

Why they work:

1. Higher AOV - Bundle of 3 items at $75 vs single item at $30
2. Simplify decisions - "Perfect gift for Mom" beats "Figure it out yourself"
3. Move inventory - Bundle slow-moving items with bestsellers
4. Stand out - Everyone sells products. Not everyone sells curated gift experiences.

Types of bundles to create:

1. The "For [Person]" Bundle

Instead of making customers build their own gift, do it for them.

Examples:

• "For Him: The Complete Grooming Set" (beard oil + trimmer + balm)
• "For Her: Self-Care Essentials" (candle + bath bombs + face mask)
• "For Fitness Lovers" (resistance bands + water bottle + towel)
• "For the Home Chef" (spice set + apron + cookbook)

How to price:

• Calculate total individual price
• Offer 10-20% discount on bundle
• Example: Items total $85 individually → Bundle price $70 (saves $15)

2. The "Complete the Look" Bundle

Perfect for fashion/apparel stores.

Example:

• "Winter Ready" (coat + scarf + gloves + beanie)
• "Date Night Outfit" (dress + shoes + clutch + jewelry)
• "Work From Home Comfort" (hoodie + joggers + slippers)

3. The "Bestseller Bundle"

Take your 3-4 top products and bundle them.

Example:

• "Customer Favorites Set - Our 3 Most-Loved Products"
• Social proof built-in (these are bestsellers for a reason)

4. The "Try Everything" Sample Bundle

Great for beauty, food, or beverage brands.

Example:

• "Coffee Lover's Sampler" (5 different coffee blends, 4oz each)
• "Skincare Discovery Set" (cleanser + toner + moisturizer in travel sizes)

5. The "Build Your Own" Bundle

Let customers choose 3, 4, or 5 items and get a discount.

Example:

• "Pick Any 3 for $99" (normally $40 each)
• Creates customization + discount motivation

How to create bundles in Shopify:

Option 1: Shopify Bundles App (Free)

• Install from Shopify App Store
• Create fixed bundles (you choose the products)
• Auto-syncs inventory
• Simple, clean, works out of box

Option 2: Advanced Bundle Apps

• Bold Bundles ($20-80/mo) - more customization
• Bundle Builder by Shophooks ($10-30/mo)
• Bundler ($7-20/mo)
• Better for complex bundles, volume discounts, tiered pricing

Bundle presentation tips:

Product images:

• Don't just show individual items
• Create a styled photo of the bundle together
• Show it wrapped or in a gift box
• Add "Everything included:" list with checkmarks

Naming:

• Be specific and gift-oriented
• ❌ "Bundle #1"
• ✓ "The Cozy Night In Bundle - Perfect for Her"

Descriptions:

• Lead with who it's for
• List what's included (with individual prices)
• Show the savings
• Add gift messaging

Example: "Treat Mom to a spa day at home. This curated set includes our bestselling lavender candle ($28), organic bath salts ($22), and silk sleep mask ($18). Normally $68 - now just $55. Arrives in a beautiful gift-ready box."

Scarcity & urgency:

• "Limited Holiday Edition - Only 100 Sets Available"
• "Order by Dec 20 for Christmas Delivery"
• "48 sets sold in last 24 hours"

Strategy #2: Strategic Promo Code System

Random discounts don't work. Strategic ones do.

The holiday promo code framework:

Early Bird Codes (October)

Goal: Capture early planners, reward loyal customers

Examples:

• EARLYBIRD20 - 20% off for early shoppers
• VIP25 - 25% off for email subscribers
• THANKYOU15 - 15% off for past customers

Advantage: Spreads out orders, reduces fulfillment crush in December

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Codes (November)

Goal: Maximum sales volume

Examples:

• BFCM30 - 30% off sitewide (biggest discount of year)
• FLASH40 - 40% off for 6 hours only (creates urgency)
• CYBER50 - 50% off select items (move specific inventory)

Structure:

• Friday: Best overall discount (30-40% off)
• Saturday: Category-specific (30% off outerwear)
• Sunday: Bundle deals (Buy 2 get 1 free)
• Monday: Final hours (35% off + free shipping)

Stacking strategy:

• Base discount + extra for bundles
• Example: "30% off everything + extra 10% off when you buy a bundle" = SAVE40BUNDLE

Gift Giver Codes (December)

Goal: Make gifting easy and attractive

Examples:

• GIFTGIVER20 - 20% off orders $100+
• FREESHIP - Free shipping (no minimum)
• LASTMINUTE15 - 15% off + express shipping discount
• WRAPPING - Free gift wrapping (added value without cutting profit)

Minimum thresholds:

• HOLIDAY15 - 15% off orders $75+
• HOLIDAY20 - 20% off orders $125+
• HOLIDAY25 - 25% off orders $200+

Encourages higher cart values.

Post-Holiday Codes (January)

Goal: Clear inventory, retain customers

Examples:

• THANKYOU30 - 30% off for holiday buyers
• NEWYEAR25 - 25% off sitewide (January sales)
• CLEARANCE50 - 50% off holiday items (clear seasonal stock)

How to implement promo codes:

In Shopify Admin:

1. Go to Discounts
2. Create discount code
3. Set type: Percentage, Fixed amount, or Free shipping
4. Set requirements: Minimum purchase, specific collections, customer groups
5. Set usage limits: One per customer, total usage limit
6. Set dates: Start and end times (auto-activate/deactivate)

Pro tips:

Don't publicize all codes:

• Some codes are for email subscribers only (creates value)
• Some codes are for cart abandoners (recovery)
• Some codes are for VIPs (loyalty reward)

Stack strategically:

• Bundle discount + promo code = powerful
• Free shipping + percentage off = high conversion

Test discount levels:

• Start conservatively (15-20%)
• Increase if not hitting targets (25-30%)
• BFCM can go higher (30-40%)

Communicate clearly:

• "Use code HOLIDAY20 for 20% off orders $75+"
• State minimums and exclusions upfront
• Show countdown timer for time-limited codes

Strategy #3: Build Holiday Gift Guides

91% of US adults plan to celebrate winter holidays. Most are looking for gift ideas.

Gift guides = free traffic + simplified shopping + higher conversions.

Types of gift guides to create:

1. "Gifts Under $X" Guides

• Gifts Under $25
• Gifts Under $50
• Gifts Under $100

Why it works: Shoppers have budgets. Make it easy.

2. "Gifts For [Person]" Guides

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Kids
• Gifts for Teens
• Gifts for Parents
• Gifts for Coworkers

Why it works: Removes decision paralysis.

3. "Best [Category] Gifts" Guides

• Best Tech Gifts 2025
• Best Beauty Gifts 2025
• Best Home Gifts 2025

Why it works: SEO gold. People search "best [X] gifts" constantly.

4. Personality-Based Guides

• Gifts for Coffee Addicts
• Gifts for Fitness Fanatics
• Gifts for Homebodies
• Gifts for Adventure Seekers

Why it works: More specific = more relevant = higher conversion.

How to build gift guides:

Option 1: Dedicated landing page

Use GemPages or PageFly to create custom page:

• Hero section: "2025 Holiday Gift Guide"
• Categories: Click to jump to section
• Product grids with images, prices, quick add-to-cart
• CTA: "Shop All Gifts"

Option 2: Blog post

Use Shopify blog:

• Write "15 Perfect Gifts for [Person]" post
• Embed product links throughout
• SEO optimized (ranks in Google)
• Shareable on social

Option 3: Collection pages

Create Shopify collections:

• "Gifts for Him" collection
• Filter by price
• Add description and buying tips

Gift guide optimization:

Images:

• Lifestyle shots, not white backgrounds
• Show products being used/enjoyed
• Add text overlay: "Gifts for Coffee Lovers"

Copy:

• Why each item makes a great gift
• Who it's perfect for
• Price point clearly visible

CTAs:

• "Add to Cart"
• "Shop Now"
• "View Gift Set"

Promotion:

• Email to list (segment by interest)
• Pin on Pinterest (huge gift discovery platform)
• Share on Instagram Stories with product tags
• Run ads to "2025 Gift Guide" landing page

Strategy #4: Optimize Store Design for Holidays

Your store should FEEL festive. Not tacky. Festive.

What to update:

Homepage

• Hero banner: Holiday messaging
  • "Holiday Gift Guide 2025"
  • "Free Shipping on Orders $75+ | Order by Dec 20"
  • "Shop Gifts Under $50"
• Countdown timer: "Shop Now - Only X Days Until Christmas"
• Featured: Gift bundles, bestsellers, gift cards
• Trust badges: "Free returns through January"

Navigation menu

• Add "Holiday Gifts" or "Gift Guide" to main menu
• Quick links to "Gifts For Him", "Gifts For Her", "Gifts Under $50"
• Highlight with festive color or icon

Product pages

• Add "Perfect gift for [person]" messaging
• Show "Free gift wrapping available" option
• Display "Order by [date] for Christmas delivery"
• Cross-sell: "Complete the gift with..."

Collection pages

• Holiday-specific collections front and center
• Sort by price (helps gift shoppers)
• Filter by "Gift-ready" or "Bundles"

Checkout

• Add gift message option (text field)
• Offer gift wrapping (+$5-10)
• Show delivery date estimate
• Display return policy ("Easy returns through Jan 31")

Color scheme:

• Don't go overboard with red/green
• Subtle festive touches: gold accents, winter blues, whites
• Keep brand consistent (just add holiday elements)

Festive elements (use sparingly):

• Snowflakes falling (but not distracting)
• Holiday banner across top
• Festive icons (gifts, snowflakes, stars)

Apps for holiday themes:

• Snowfall Effect ($2-5/mo) - animated snowflakes
• Promo Bar ($5-10/mo) - holiday messaging bar
• Holiday Theme Editor (free in Shopify theme editor)

Mobile optimization:

70% of traffic is mobile. Your holiday design MUST work on phones.

Test:

• Hero images load fast
• Text is readable (no tiny fonts)
• Buttons are tappable (48px minimum)
• Navigation menu accessible
• Checkout works smoothly

Strategy #5: Prepare for Peak Traffic & Orders

Nothing kills holiday sales faster than a crashed site or inventory running out.

Site speed optimization

Holiday traffic = 3-5x normal. Your site needs to handle it.

Audit now:

• Run Google PageSpeed Insights
• Target: Under 3 seconds load time (mobile)
• If over 5 seconds, you're in trouble

Quick fixes:

• Compress images (use TinyIMG app)
• Remove unused apps (each app slows site)
• Upgrade hosting plan if needed
• Use Shopify's CDN (built-in)

Inventory management

Forecast demand:

• Look at last year's holiday sales
• Add 20-30% buffer for growth
• Factor in new products

Stock up early:

• Order inventory by August/September
• Account for shipping delays
• Communicate with suppliers about lead times

Low stock alerts:

• Set up notifications when inventory drops below threshold
• Display "Only 3 left in stock" on product pages (creates urgency)
• Plan for restocks mid-season

What to do if you run out:

Don't just show "Out of Stock."

Options:

• "Back in stock by [date] - Pre-order now"
• "Join waitlist - we'll notify you"
• "Similar items you'll love" (recommend alternatives)

Shipping strategy

Shipping deadlines:

Calculate and communicate clearly:

• Standard shipping: Order by Dec 18 for Christmas
• 2-Day shipping: Order by Dec 22 for Christmas
• Overnight: Order by Dec 23 for Christmas

Display everywhere:

• Homepage banner
• Product pages
• Cart page
• Checkout
• Email footer

Shipping options:

Offer multiple:

• Standard (free over $X)
• Express (2-day)
• Overnight

Price express reasonably. Don't gouge last-minute shoppers—they'll remember.

Free shipping:

Most powerful incentive during holidays.

Strategies:

• "Free shipping on orders $75+" (set threshold 20% above your AOV)
• "Free shipping on all gifts" (for gift bundles)
• "Free shipping Dec 1-24" (promotional period)

Show progress: "Add $12 more for free shipping!"

International shipping:

If you ship internationally:

• Add extra buffer for delivery estimates
• State customs delays possible
• Recommend ordering by early December

Strategy #6: Email Marketing Campaign Sequences

Email drives 20-30% of holiday revenue. Have a plan.

The holiday email calendar:

October

• Email 1: "Get Ready - Holiday Shopping Starts Early This Year"
• Email 2: "Early Bird Deal - 20% Off Gift Bundles"
• Email 3: "Our Holiday Gift Guide is Here"

November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday)

• Week before BF: "Black Friday Preview - Save the Date"
• Thursday: "Tomorrow: Our Biggest Sale of the Year"
• Friday AM: "IT'S HERE - 30% Off Everything"
• Friday PM: "Final Hours - Black Friday Ends Midnight"
• Saturday: "Cyber Weekend Continues - 30% Off"
• Sunday: "Last Day - Cyber Monday Preview"
• Monday AM: "Cyber Monday - 35% Off + Free Shipping"
• Monday PM: "Final Call - Sale Ends in 6 Hours"

December (Gift Season)

• Email 1: "Stress-Free Gift Shopping - We've Got You"
• Email 2: "Gifts Under $50 (Perfect for Everyone)"
• Email 3: "Order by Dec 18 for Christmas Delivery"
• Email 4: "Last Call for Guaranteed Delivery"
• Email 5: "Digital Gift Cards - Perfect Last-Minute Gift"

Post-Holiday (January)

• Email 1: "Thank You + Here's 15% Off Your Next Order"
• Email 2: "New Year Sale - 30% Off Sitewide"
• Email 3: "Last Chance - Sale Ends Tonight"

Segmentation:

Don't send same emails to everyone.

Segments:

• VIP customers (purchased 3+ times) - early access, higher discounts
• New subscribers (joined in last 30 days) - welcome series + holiday offer
• Cart abandoners - "You left items in your cart + here's 10% off"
• Past holiday buyers - "You shopped with us last year - welcome back!"

Email elements that work:

Subject lines:

• "🎁 Our Holiday Gift Guide is Here"
• "Final Hours - 30% Off Ends Midnight"
• "Stress-Free Gifts Under $50"
• Keep under 50 characters (mobile preview)

Preview text:

• First line after subject
• "Shop curated gift bundles with free shipping..."
• Don't repeat subject line

Body:

• Hero image (festive, eye-catching)
• Clear headline
• 1-2 sentence intro
• Product grid or featured items (3-6 products)
• Single clear CTA ("Shop Gifts" or "Get 30% Off")
• Shipping deadline reminder at bottom

Apps for email:

• Klaviyo ($20-100/mo) - best for advanced segmentation
• Shopify Email (free) - works for basic campaigns
• Omnisend ($16-100/mo) - good middle ground

Strategy #7: Payment Flexibility (Buy Now, Pay Later)

$18.2 billion in holiday sales used Buy Now, Pay Later last year.

If you don't offer it, you're losing sales.

Why BNPL works during holidays:

People want to give great gifts but have budgets. BNPL lets them:

• Buy $200 gift, pay $50/month for 4 months
• Split cost across paychecks
• Avoid credit card debt

BNPL options for Shopify:

Shop Pay Installments (built into Shopify):

• Free for merchants
• Customers split into 4 payments
• Orders $50-3,000 eligible
• Most seamless option

Afterpay:

• 4 interest-free payments
• Popular with Gen Z and Millennials
• Integration easy

Klarna:

• 4 payments OR monthly financing
• Pink badge stands out
• Strong brand recognition

Affirm:

• Monthly payments for larger purchases
• Good for high-ticket items ($500+)
• Clear terms

How to implement:

1. Enable in Shopify Payments settings
2. Add BNPL badges to product pages
   • "Or 4 payments of $25 with Afterpay"
   • Show calculation automatically
3. Mention in emails
   • "Give the gift they'll love. Pay over time with Afterpay."
4. Highlight on bundles
   • "$150 bundle = 4 payments of $37.50"

Results:

Stores that add BNPL see:

• 20-30% increase in AOV
• 10-15% increase in conversion rate
• Lower cart abandonment

It's literally free money (for you). Just enable it.

Strategy #8: Post-Holiday Strategy (Retain Those Customers)

The holiday season doesn't end December 25. Smart stores plan for January too.

Post-holiday tactics:

Thank you emails

Send within 24 hours of delivery:

• "Thank you for your order!"
• Ask for review (incentivize with 10% off next order)
• Include care instructions or tips for product

Feedback requests

2 weeks after purchase:

• "How's your [product]?"
• Link to review form
• Offer to resolve issues

Post-holiday sale

December 26 - January:

• "After Christmas Sale - 30% Off"
• Position as clearing inventory
• Make room for new products

Returns & exchanges

Extend holiday return window:

• "All holiday purchases can be returned through January 31"
• Builds trust
• Encourages buying (less risk)

Handle returns gracefully:

• Easy return process (pre-paid label)
• Fast refunds
• Offer exchanges or store credit first

Loyalty program invites

Convert one-time holiday buyers into repeats:

• "Join our VIP program - get 15% off your next order"
• "Earn points on every purchase"
• "Early access to sales"

You can also consider implementing subscription options for products that work well as recurring purchases.

Re-engagement campaigns

February-March:

• "We miss you! Here's 20% off"
• "New arrivals just for you"
• Segment: holiday buyers who haven't returned

The Holiday Preparation Checklist

8-12 Weeks Before (August-September)

• Audit last year's holiday performance
• Forecast inventory needs and order stock
• Plan gift bundles (3-5 minimum)
• Design holiday landing page
• Set up promo code strategy
• Create gift guides
• Hire seasonal help if needed
• Test site speed (get under 3 seconds)

4-8 Weeks Before (October)

• Launch early bird campaign
• Publish gift guides (blog + landing pages)
• Update homepage with holiday messaging
• Set up email sequences
• Plan Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals
• Create holiday social media content
• Finalize shipping deadline dates
• Enable BNPL payment options

2-4 Weeks Before (November)

• Launch Black Friday/Cyber Monday campaigns
• Send daily emails (during BFCM weekend)
• Monitor inventory levels daily
• Ensure customer service ready (live chat, email)
• Test checkout flow on mobile
• Set up retargeting ads
• Prepare gift wrapping supplies

During Holiday Season (December)

• Send gift deadline reminders
• Promote gift cards (last-minute option)
• Offer express shipping
• Monitor site performance (uptime, speed)
• Respond to customer inquiries within 2 hours
• Send order confirmation and shipping updates
• Monitor social media for customer posts

After Holidays (January)

• Send thank you emails
• Request reviews
• Launch post-holiday sale
• Process returns quickly
• Analyze holiday performance
• Plan Q1 strategy
• Invite customers to loyalty program

Common Holiday Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Waiting until November to prep

By then, it's too late for inventory, bundles, and proper planning. Start in August.

Mistake #2: Not having shipping deadlines

Customers need to know when to order. If you don't tell them, they'll order late and blame you.

Mistake #3: Running out of bestsellers

Nothing worse than "Sorry, sold out" during peak season. Stock deep on winners.

Mistake #4: Terrible mobile experience

70% of traffic is mobile. If your site sucks on phones, you're losing 70% of potential sales.

Mistake #5: No gift options

No gift wrapping, no gift message option, no bundles = missed opportunity. Make gifting EASY.

Mistake #6: Generic messaging

"Holiday sale" is boring. "Stress-free gifts for everyone on your list" is specific and helpful.

Mistake #7: Ignoring email

Email drives 20-30% of holiday revenue. If you're not sending daily emails during BFCM, you're leaving money on the table.

Mistake #8: Forgetting post-holiday

The sale doesn't end December 25. Plan for returns, January sales, and retaining those new customers.

Real Numbers: What's Actually Possible

Here's what well-prepared stores see during holidays:

Revenue:

• Q4 typically accounts for 40-60% of annual revenue
• BFCM weekend alone can be 15-25% of Q4 revenue

Traffic:

• 3-5x normal traffic during peak days
• 10-15x normal traffic on Black Friday

Conversion rate:

• Often drops slightly (more browsers) but volume makes up for it
• Bundles convert 20-30% higher than individual products

AOV:

• Increases 15-30% during holidays (gift bundles, BNPL)
• Free shipping thresholds pull AOV higher

Email performance:

• Open rates: 20-30% (higher during holidays)
• Click rates: 3-5%
• Revenue per email: $0.50-2.00 (higher for segmented campaigns)

Example:

Store doing $50K/month normally:

• October (early prep): $60K (+20%)
• November (BFCM): $150K (+200%)
• December (holidays): $120K (+140%)
• Q4 total: $330K vs Q1-Q3 average of $150K

That's an extra $180K in Q4 alone.

Worth preparing for? Yeah, I'd say so.

For more strategies on optimizing your conversion rate during the holiday rush, check out our comprehensive CRO guide.

The Bottom Line

Most Shopify stores do the same lazy holiday prep:

• Slap a "Holiday Sale" banner up in late November
• Offer generic 20% off
• Hope for the best

And they get mediocre results.

The stores that dominate Q4:

• Start planning in August
• Create strategic gift bundles
• Build comprehensive promo code systems
• Launch gift guides that actually help customers
• Optimize every element for mobile
• Have clear shipping strategies
• Run sophisticated email campaigns
• Make post-holiday retention a priority

It's more work. But the payoff is 2-3x holiday revenue compared to lazy competitors.

Start now. Build bundles this week. Plan your promo codes. Design your gift guides.

By the time Black Friday hits, you'll be ready to execute while everyone else scrambles.

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Need help preparing your Shopify store for the holidays? We've helped brands 2-3x their Q4 revenue with strategic holiday optimization.

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