Start Planning Christmas Now: 30 Festive Ideas to Secure December Bookings Early

December can make or break a pub's annual profits. But here's the secret: the pubs that win Christmas start planning in June. While your competitors are focused on summer, you can be locking in corporate bookings and preparing for your most profitable month. Based on successful strategies from pubs across the UK, here are 30 proven Christmas promotion ideas to implement now.

Why Christmas Planning Starts NOW (Not September)

The most successful Christmas campaigns begin months before the first decoration goes up. Here's why early planning pays off:

• Corporate bookings are often made in September/October

• Staff planning ensures adequate coverage during busy periods

• Supplier orders avoid disappointment and price increases

• Marketing momentum builds anticipation and bookings

Christmas Party Packages (High Revenue)

1. Tiered Christmas Menu Options

Setup Cost: £100-200 for menu design and printing

Profit Margin: 65-70% on food

Booking Target: 20-30 parties of 10+

Create three menu tiers to capture different budgets:

Budget Option (£19.95):

• Two courses

• Cracker and novelty

• Welcome drink

Standard Option (£29.95):

• Three courses

• Crackers and novelties

• Welcome drink

• Coffee and mince pie

Premium Option (£39.95):

• Three courses with premium choices

• Champagne reception

• Crackers and novelties

• Coffee, mince pie, and chocolates

• Reserved area with decorations

2. Works Party Weekday Deals

Setup Cost: Minimal

Profit Increase: 200% on typical weekday

Target: 5-10 bookings per week

Offer significant discounts for Monday-Thursday bookings:

• 20% off food for parties over 20

• Free venue hire (normally £200)

• Complimentary welcome drink per person

• Extended happy hour for the group

3. Bottomless Festive Brunch

Cost: £8-10 per person in products

Charge: £35-40 per person

Profit: £25-30 per person

Capacity: 4-6 sittings per weekend

Two-hour sittings with unlimited prosecco/beer and brunch menu:

• Requires strict timing and management

• Pre-payment essential

• Limited food menu for kitchen efficiency

• Entertainment included (quiz/bingo)

Festive Entertainment Ideas

4. Christmas Quiz Nights

Cost: £50 in prizes

Revenue Potential: £300-500 extra per night

Frequency: Weekly through December

Enhance your regular quiz with festive rounds. [See our quiz night guide](/blog/quiz-night-ideas/) for setup tips.

Special themes:

• Christmas films and TV

• Festive music rounds

• Local Christmas traditions

• Santa's geography challenge

5. Carol Karaoke Nights

Cost: £150 for karaoke hire (or use existing)

Revenue Increase: 40% on typical night

Best Days: Sunday evenings

Transform dead Sunday nights into festive singalongs:

• Christmas songs only

• Costume prizes

• Group carol performances

• Free mince pie with entry

6. Christmas Jumper Competitions

Cost: £30 in prizes

Additional Revenue: £200-300

Frequency: Every Friday in December

Weekly competitions building to grand final:

• Customer voting via tokens

• Social media photo contest

• Staff participation

• Charity donation element

Daytime December Strategies

7. Festive Afternoon Tea

Cost: £5-7 per person in ingredients

Charge: £19.95 per person

Profit: £13-15 per person

Target Market: Shoppers and seniors

Offering includes:

• Finger sandwiches

• Warm scones

• Christmas cake selection

• Unlimited tea/coffee

• Prosecco upgrade (+£5)

8. Christmas Shopping Pit Stop

Cost: Minimal

Revenue Boost: 30% increase at The Anchor in afternoon trade

Duration: 2 pm - 5 pm daily

Package deals:

• Hot drink + mince pie: £4.95

• Mulled wine + soup: £8.95

• "Shopper's Revival" (wine + sharing platter): £15

9. Kids' Santa Breakfast

Cost: £200 for basic Santa outfit and gifts

Charge: £12.95 per child

Profit: £8 per child after costs

Capacity: 30 children per session

Weekend mornings only:

• Simple breakfast menu

• 5-minute Santa visit per table

• Small gift from Santa

• Christmas crafts corner

Drink Promotions That Sell

10. Twelve Drinks of Christmas

Cost: Staff training time

Profit Margin: 70-80% on cocktails

Sales Increase: 45% on cocktail revenue

Feature different festive cocktails throughout December:

• Daily social media reveal

• Loyalty card (try all 12, get one free)

• Recipe cards as takeaways

• Staff incentives for sales

11. Mulled Wine Station

Cost: £100 for equipment, £3 per bottle in ingredients

Sell: £4.50 per glass (5 glasses per bottle)

Profit: £19.50 per bottle

Best Location: By entrance

Self-service or staffed station:

• Creates welcoming aroma

• Easy upsell from regular wine

• Take-away option in festive cups

• Wine selection advice included

12. Christmas Beer Festival

Cost: Negotiable with suppliers

Revenue Increase: 60% on beer sales

Duration: First two weeks of December

Partner with breweries for exclusive festive ales:

• Tasting paddles

• Brewery meet-and-greets

• Take-home gift packs

• Food pairing menu

Community Christmas Events

13. Christmas Market in Car Park

Cost: £200 for basic infrastructure

Stall Fees: £30 per vendor

Bar Revenue: Additional £2,000-3,000

Frequency: Every weekend

Host local crafters and food vendors:

• 10-15 stalls maximum

• Heated marquee or courtyard

• Live music schedule

• Hot food and drink from pub

14. Charity Gift Wrapping Station

Cost: £50 for supplies

Donations: £500-1,000 to charity

Indirect Revenue: Increased goodwill and foot traffic

Set up in quiet corner:

• Volunteer wrappers

• Suggested donations

• Pub provides materials

• Refreshment deals for wrappers

15. Christmas Light Switch-On

Cost: £300-500 for enhanced decorations

Revenue: £1,500-2,000 on the night

Community Value: Immeasurable

Annual event building tradition:

• Local school choir

• Mayor or celebrity guest

• Free mulled wine tasters

• Family photo opportunities

Unique Selling Points

16. Christmas Dinner Delivery

Cost: £5 per delivery in packaging/fuel

Price: £45 per person

Profit: £25 per person

Target: 50-100 orders

For Christmas Day non-visitors:

• Pre-orders only

• Limited delivery radius

• Reheating instructions included

• Branded packaging for marketing

17. Festive Escape Room

Setup Cost: £500-1,000

Charge: £20 per person

Capacity: 6 people per hour

Season Revenue: £5,000-8,000

Transform function room into Christmas mystery:

• 45-minute experience

• Includes welcome drink

• Photo opportunities

• Food deals for players

18. Christmas Cocktail Masterclass

Cost: £10 per person in ingredients

Charge: £35 per person

Profit: £25 per person

Group Size: 12-20 people

Two-hour sessions include:

• Three cocktail creations

• Festive canapés

• Recipe cards

• Certificate of completion

• 10% off return visit

Budget-Friendly Decorations

19. Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots

Cost: £100-200 in props

ROI: Free marketing via social shares

Locations: 3-4 spots throughout pub

Create designated photo areas:

• Festive throne with props

• Light-up letter displays

• Themed backdrop walls

• Oversized decorations

• Hashtag displays

20. Living Christmas Trees

Cost: £200 for potted trees

Savings: Reusable next year

Added Value: Eco-friendly message

Rent or buy potted trees:

• Customer decoration events

• Sponsor a tree scheme

• Post-Christmas planting event

• Natural pine scent throughout

21. Community Decoration Night

Cost: £50 for supplies

Revenue: Full capacity evening

Date: Last Thursday in November

Invite customers to help decorate:

• Free mulled wine for helpers

• Christmas playlist

• Group photo for social media

• Preview of Christmas menu

Technology-Enhanced Promotions

22. QR Code Advent Calendar

Cost: £50 for printing

Engagement: Daily customer visits

Prizes: Low-cost/sponsored items

Digital advent calendar accessed via QR codes:

• Daily deals and prizes

• Builds throughout December

• Email capture opportunity

• Shareable on social media

23. Virtual Secret Santa

Cost: Free to implement

Revenue: Increased group bookings

Platform: Simple web form

Organize for regular groups:

• Anonymous gift assignments

• Pub hosts exchange event

• Special menu for parties

• Photo wall of exchanges

24. Christmas Playlist Democracy

Cost: £0

Engagement: Increased app usage

Duration: All December

Let customers vote on music:

• QR code to voting form

• Daily playlist updates

• "DJ of the Day" recognition

• Spotify playlist sharing

Staff Motivation Programs

25. Christmas Incentive Schemes

Cost: 5% of additional revenue

Revenue Increase: 20-30% from upselling

Morale Boost: Significant

Reward staff for Christmas success:

• Commission on party bookings

• Upselling competitions

• Team targets with rewards

• Best decorated section prizes

26. Staff Christmas Jumper Rota

Cost: £20 per staff jumper

Customer Response: Positive atmosphere

Team Building: Enhanced

Provide branded festive jumpers:

• Different designs for roles

• Customer photo opportunities

• Social media content

• Team identity building

Last-Minute Revenue Boosters

27. Emergency Gift Solutions

Cost: £200 initial stock

Markup: 100-150%

Target: Desperate shoppers

Stock last-minute gift options:

• Pub-branded merchandise

• Local food hampers

• Drink gift sets

• Experience vouchers

28. Christmas Eve Lock-In

Cost: Extended license if required

Revenue: £2,000-3,000

Atmosphere: Memorable community event

Traditional lock-in for regulars:

• Ticket-only entry

• Premium pricing justified

• Carol singing at midnight

• Breakfast option included

29. Boxing Day Recovery Brunch

Cost: Simplified menu prep

Revenue: £1,500-2,500

Time: 11 am - 4 pm

Perfect for post-Christmas relief:

• Hangover cure menu

• Bottomless options

• Quiet zones available

• Leftover turkey sandwiches

30. New Year's Eve Preview

Cost: Combined with NYE marketing

Purpose: Advance bookings

Revenue: Secured January income

During Christmas events, promote NYE:

• Early bird pricing

• Exclusive Christmas customer offers

• Preview menu tastings

• Deposit taking simplified

Christmas Marketing Timeline

September

• Finalize Christmas menus

• Launch corporate booking campaign

• Order decorations and supplies

• Create promotional materials

October

• Begin social media teasers

• Send "Save the Dates" to database

• Confirm entertainment bookings

• Train staff on packages

November

• Full marketing launch

• Decorate pub (last week)

• Final staff schedules

• Test run special menus

December

• Daily social media updates

• Monitor and adjust promotions

• Capture content for next year

• Thank you campaigns

ROI Tracking and Metrics

Track these KPIs throughout the season:

• Average spend per head (target: 40% increase at The Anchor)

• Covers served (target: 60% increase at The Anchor)

• Pre-bookings vs walk-ins

• Promotional uptake rates

• Staff costs as percentage of revenue

Sample Christmas Revenue Projection

Based on 100-cover pub:

Regular December: £60,000

With Christmas Promotions: £95,000

Additional Costs: £8,000

Extra Profit: £27,000

ROI: 337%

Common Christmas Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Underestimating demand - Plan for 50% more than expected

2. Complex menus - Simplicity ensures quality

3. Ignoring January - Plan quiet month recovery

4. Forgetting regular customers - Reserve tables for loyalists

5. Burning out staff - Schedule recovery time

Post-Christmas Strategy

Don't let momentum die on January 1st:

• January detox menus

• Burns Night celebrations

• Valentine's Day early birds

• Thank you events for staff

• Review and plan for next year

Your Christmas Action Plan

1. Choose 10-15 promotions that fit your pub's style

2. Create a detailed timeline working backwards from December

3. Calculate realistic targets based on last year +30%

4. Brief all staff thoroughly on every promotion

5. Monitor daily and adjust based on response

For year-round event ideas, explore our [seasonal events calendar](/blog/seasonal-pub-events-calendar/) and [successful events guide](/blog/how-to-run-successful-pub-events/).

What Christmas promotions work best for your pub? Share your festive success stories below!

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly will I see results?

Most strategies show initial results within 2-4 weeks. Quiz nights attract regulars immediately, social media engagement grows within days, and operational improvements like GP optimization show impact in the first month. Full transformation typically takes 3-6 months of consistent implementation.

How much will this cost to implement?

Implementation costs vary by strategy. Many improvements like social media optimization and operational changes cost nothing beyond time. Events may require £50-200 initial investment. Professional support is available at £62.50 per hour plus VAT.

Can this work for my type of pub?

Yes, these strategies are proven across wet-led, food-led, and hybrid pubs. The key is adapting the approach to your specific circumstances, customer base, and local market. All strategies come from real-world success at The Anchor.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, payment plans are available to help with cash flow. Services are charged at £62.50 per hour plus VAT. Contact us to discuss a payment arrangement that works for your business.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, payment plans are available to help with cash flow. Services are charged at £62.50 per hour plus VAT. Contact us to discuss a payment arrangement that works for your business.