December 14: what you can still do to sell this Christmas

Today is December 14. If you're reading this, you probably didn't prepare your Christmas campaign two months in advance. You didn't build the gift guide in November. You didn't schedule the email sequence.

Relax. You're not the only one. And there are still things you can do that move the needle.

First things first: accept the logistics reality

At this point, the standard shipping window has already closed for distant regions and remote areas. For the metro area you have a few more days. Don't promise what you can't deliver — but you can offer alternatives.

Here's what actually works in the last week and a half:

1. Digital gift cards — your last-minute star product

If you don't sell digital gift cards, activate them today. Not tomorrow — today. On Shopify it's a native product — it literally activates with one click. On other platforms there are apps that solve it in minutes.

Why do they work so well? Because they solve the exact problem of the last-minute buyer: "I don't know what to give and nothing will arrive in time." The gift card eliminates both problems in one shot.

Concrete tip: create gift cards in appealing fixed amounts ($25, $50, $100). Don't leave only a custom amount option — people need you to make the decision easy.

2. In-store pickup: logistics that depend on no one

If you have a physical location, even if it's your own home with limited hours, offer it. "Pickup available through December 24, 10 AM to 6 PM." It's simple, it's free for you, and for the customer it's the certainty that their gift will be ready.

This year across the stores we work with, in-store pickup accounted for up to 30% of orders in the last week of December. It's not a minor channel.

3. Express shipping in the metro area — for those who want guaranteed delivery

Within the capital region you can still offer 24-hour express shipping until December 22-23. It costs more, but the last-minute customer values speed over price. Display it as a featured option at checkout — don't hide it.

4. A WhatsApp campaign — quick, direct, personal

Forget the perfect campaign. Take your WhatsApp Business customer list and send a simple message:

"Hi [name], you can still buy for Christmas. Digital gift cards ready instantly and pickup available through the 24th. [link to your store]"

You don't need design, you don't need complex automation. A personal message to your customer base. I've seen this work with 8-12% conversion rates during this season, compared to the 1-2% of a generic email.

5. An email with an honest subject line

If you have an email list, send one. Just one. With a subject line like: "You can still buy for Christmas — gift cards and pickup available."

Don't offer a discount. Don't put "LAST CHANCE" in all caps. Put what the customer needs to know: what they can buy and how they'll get it. In December, clarity sells more than discounts.

6. Social media: one honest post

Don't build a three-week content campaign. Publish a post or a story that says exactly the same thing: what you have available, how it can get there, until when. People are looking for solutions, not aspirational content.

The honest takeaway

Showing up late to Christmas is frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. Gift cards, in-store pickup, and a direct message to your customer base can rescue a solid chunk of the season.

What I do ask of you: write down somewhere how you feel today. Because next October, when you have plenty of time to prepare everything, that memory is what will make you actually do it.

The best Christmas 2027 campaign starts in September.