For anyone hoping to forge connections with customers, the holiday season is rich with opportunities. There is generosity in the air, thoughts turn to food, family, and friends, and most festivities are naturally joyful occasions. Whether you’re a marketing agency planning an engaging brand activation or a company looking to better connect with customers directly, event staffing plays a crucial role in creating lasting memories. At Elevate Global, our professional event staff has supported some incredible Christmas activations over the past 18 years. Keep reading for 4 creative marketing ideas to elevate your holiday event with the right event staff!
1. Themed Photo Ops: Snap and share!
Activations with branded photo opportunities are a fun, interactive way to engage your audience. And it’s a versatile format. Photo-worthy moments can enhance almost any brand activation, no matter the industry. So whether it’s a snowy winter wonderland or a quirky festive scene, themed photo ops are the perfect way to entice attendees to snap pics and share them with their networks. Adding a branded hashtag to your scene will boost your event’s visibility and help generate organic reach. To take it up a notch, run a contest or giveaway where participants can win prizes by using your hashtag. This small addition can create buzz and amplify your brand’s presence. Photo ops are a natural pairing for make-up brands.
Last year L’Oreal launched their Infallible Matte Resistance Lipstick with free samples and a beautiful backdrop for people to show off the look. Our Brand Ambassadors snapped pics gave samples, and suggested poses for enthusiastic recipients to shine alongside the product.
2. Pop-Up Shops – Exclusive, limited-time experiences!
Pop-up shops are a fantastic way to harness FOMO. Fear of missing out is real, and limited-time events create a natural sense of urgency, exclusivity and excitement. This is especially apt in the mad dash associated with the holiday season. Temporary retail spaces allow customers to explore your brand in a unique, festive setting. They also catch the attention of people passing by. Interactive elements like exclusive product launches, limited-time discounts, and event staff offering personalised gift-wrapping can help your pop-up pack a punch. This direct interaction creates memorable moments that keep customers coming back.
A sold-out event by Pinterest and Anthropologie made the most of pop-up potential with a “Holiday Showhouse.”; transforming a New York townhouse into a live interactive Pinterest board, using Pinterest’s holiday trend data – with decor courtesy of Anthropologie. It was a seamless combination of brands, fans and exclusivity.
3. Seasonal Sampling
Sharing festive-themed product samples is a great way to entice your audience and showcase seasonal offerings. For food and beverage brands, this could include festive flavours that are available for a limited time. By providing free samples, you give potential customers a chance to try your products risk-free, increasing the likelihood of future purchases. Partnering with local vendors for these samplings can broaden your reach and bring in diverse crowds, all while creating a community atmosphere.
Sampling during this time of the year can be a subtle but effective way to embed your brand as a festive must-have. Last year we worked with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s tequila brand Teremana, at the “Teremana Mana Holiday House” in New York and LA. Our event staff ensured attendees had an unforgettable experience while enjoying festive tequila cocktails and holiday hosting tips.
4. Festive Food and Drink Tastings
Festivities mean food and drink! This makes seasonal tasting events a natural crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re offering mulled wine, holiday-themed cocktails, or unique desserts, sensory experiences like these make a lasting impact. Hosting tastings allows you to collaborate with local businesses and offer attendees a chance to try new flavours. Create a holiday market atmosphere that people will want to explore and savour. Level up by offering expert-led tastings, or festive food pairings. Your attendees will leave feeling like connoisseurs—impressed by your brand and their experience.
A fabulous example of tasting in action was Aldi’s Pigs and Blankets Restaurant, which landed in London for a limited time last year. Curated by our long-running client, Hopper, this brand experience consisted of our Brand Ambassadors serving six varieties of the Christmas classic, along with Aldi’s own prosecco. The pop-up was incredibly successful and showcased Aldi’s products as well as Elevate’s exceptional staff!
Need staff for your next festive event?
From photo ops to pop-up shops, mouth-watering tastings or seasonal sampling, these experiential marketing ideas are designed to amplify your brand and make unforgettable memories for your audience. At Elevate we can help craft ideas that drive engagement and boost organic reach—just in time for the holidays. Need expert staffing to bring your event to life? Elevate Global has you covered. Our world-class event staff is ready to take your festive-themed activation to the next level. Get in touch with us today and make this festive season your most successful yet!
