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TLDR
December brings full tables, shopping crowds, and long days behind the bar, yet things often slow down sharply once Christmas hits. People travel, stay home with leftovers, or pause spending after the early splurge. Many cafes expect the rush to continue, only to meet a quieter week before the New Year instead. You do not need to settle for that drop. A little planning, customer connection, and smart product focus can help you keep the momentum going until the year ends.
Prepare a Game Plan Before the Slow Week Begins
A cafe without a direction reacts to the day. A cafe with a plan guides customers back with intention. The goal is simple. Make it easy for people to choose you again. This comes from thoughtful reminders, seasonal items that feel special, and offers that reward quick action. You do not need dozens of ideas. You need a few that are put into motion with clarity.
Send Push Notifications During the Post-Christmas Slow Days
The days after Christmas often move slowly. People sleep in, live off leftovers, stay home with family, and lose any urgency to go out. This is where push notifications can fill the silence. A reminder sent to them can bring customers back for a warm drink, fresh pastry, or easy takeaway break from holiday food. Cafes that plan these alerts instead of sending them randomly usually see better traction because the tone matches the slower pace of that week.
What to send during the dip
Customers are relaxed, unhurried, and open to suggestions that feel light. Use messaging that fits that mood:
- Day after Christmas
“Had enough leftovers. Stop by for a fresh latte and pastry. Order ahead in the app.” - Mid-week slump
“Slow holiday days call for a treat. Try our seasonal drink and pastry pair today.” - Leading toward the New Year
“Hosting at home. Pre-order a coffee or pastry pack for easy serving on New Year.”
Two or three messages is enough. Keep wording warm, short, and not salesy. The goal is to sound like a friendly nudge, not a push. One-tap ordering in the app removes hesitation and makes it easy to act right away. Staying present this week is often all it takes to capture the quiet revenue most cafes lose.
Run Holiday Pre-Orders That Create Early Cash Flow
Most cafe sales dip right before and after Christmas because people pre-buy their holiday coffee, treats, and breakfast packs ahead of the big day. Thoughtful brands do not wait for that dip to hit. They step in early, offering pre-sales weeks before Christmas week begins, so those advanced purchases still land in-house instead of going elsewhere. This approach secures revenue early and gives you a stable base before foot traffic slows.
How to set up holiday pre-orders smoothly
- Choose only a few strong products so the offer stays clear
- Keep the order window short and firm for faster decisions
- Share behind-the-scenes prep to spark attention
- Add a small reward for early customers
Pre-selling also helps your team stay organised. Production feels calmer, waste stays low, and orders are spread out instead of piling up last minute. Customers enjoy knowing their holiday box or coffee bag is ready without queues or stress. Use simple visuals like packing clips, fresh dough shots, or tins being wrapped. Build small curiosity for a few days, then open orders with one clear link, pickup dates, and a final cutoff.
Start setting up your Christmas presell today.
Create Gift Merch Bundles That Boost High Margin Sales
Holiday shoppers love quick gifting solutions. A ready-to-pick-up bundle removes thinking and saves time for last-minute buyers. You can pair bags of beans with a branded mug, include house syrups, or add a holiday postcard that feels personal. These bundles work well because they feel thoughtful yet effortless, and they carry higher margins compared to single-item purchases.
Make your bundles easy to notice and buy
- Display them near the register and inside the app
- Offer a few sizes like small, medium, or premium
- Use simple wrapping, string, or craft paper for the charm
- Label each bundle clearly with what is inside
The goal is to help customers feel like the gift is handled. Many treat themselves too when buying for someone else, which means one sale can often turn into two. You can also post one short reel or story showing how quickly a staff member builds a bundle. That type of content pulls more impulse purchases from those scrolling at night.
Offer a Short BOGO Deal to Drive Quick App Purchases
A buy-one-get-one offer works especially well in the last stretch of December when people want something small for others and a treat for themselves, too. Instead of focusing only on conventional gift cards, a BOGO promo drives results multiple times faster than simple promos. You can create a BOGO in Square and launch it in the Per Diem app. For example, buy a $10 credit and get a $5 to use in January. This type of reward encourages a return visit even after the holiday slowdown.
How to structure a BOGO promo smoothly
- Keep the offer simple and easy to understand
- Set a limited time, like two to four days only
- Promote it with push alerts for fast traction
- Remind customers that they can keep one credit for later use
This tool is best placed just before the quiet week. It gives you sales now and foot traffic later, which balances the curve better than only focusing on pre-holiday shoppers. Many cafes see a pickup in early January because customers come back to redeem their bonus credits.
Host Holiday Moments That Feel Warm and Shareable
A cafe becomes more than a coffee place when it holds space for memory. Simple themed moments give people a reason to visit instead of staying home with leftovers. You could run a cookie tasting afternoon, offer hot chocolate flights, bring in a local singer or put out a craft table for kids. These do not need to be big events. They just need charm and clear communication.
How to make holiday moments work without stress
- Choose events that require light prep and short setup
- Promote early with app alerts and socials
- Create photo-friendly spots for guests to share online
- Encourage families and friend groups to come together
Seasonal gatherings add life to the week when the city slows down. Even a one-hour activity can bring in new faces and keep regulars engaged. Use this time to collect feedback, capture content, and build a community connection that carries into the new year.
Read this blog for more creative yet easy Holiday strategies.
Final Thoughts
The holiday slowdown is common, but it is not unchangeable. With a clear plan, you can stay visible even at the end of the month when many businesses quiet down. You now hold five strategies you can put into motion with very little complexity. Send helpful push notifications. Prepare pre-orders ahead of time. Build seasonal specials that feel like a treat. Create ready-to-gift bundles. Run a short BOGO offer that invites customers back. These steps turn December from reactive to controlled and stable.
The season brings noise, joy, and a sudden pause. Your cafe can stay bright through all three. Start early, communicate well, and give customers easy reasons to return. A steady plan today becomes strong sales tomorrow, long after the tinsel drops and mornings slow. The holiday window is short, but the impact of a smart season can carry into January and beyond.
Stay ahead of the slow days. Connect your Square POS and start setting up your Holiday campaign.
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