The Holiday Playbook: Designing Intentional Promotions

An intentional promotion isn’t just about slashing prices or riding on trends. It’s about creating offers that connect with culture, resonate with customers, and make sense for your business.

When your promotion feels purposeful—whether it sparks joy, helps a community, or makes shopping easier—it becomes more than just a gimmick. It becomes memorable. And in the Philippines, where the holidays stretch from September to January, that kind of resonance is invaluable.

In the spirit of giving, we’re happy to share some ideas on how your promotions can stand out without selling out.

Promo Ideas for Filipino SMEs

1. Early Bird Balikbayan Bundles

One of the smartest ways to tap into holiday demand is by catering to balikbayans. Every year, OFWs fly home eager to bring something special for their families. Businesses that anticipate this rush by offering pasalubong-style bundles can capture demand as early as October.

Take Säntis Delicatessen in BGC, which curates gift sets with imported cheeses, sausages, and wines alongside Filipino staples. They promote these on Instagram and Facebook for pre-orders, often selling out weeks before Christmas. Smaller delis like Deli Sena in Taguig do the same, offering curated packages of local delicacies for overseas relatives who order ahead.

The formula is simple but powerful: make it gift-ready, promote it early, and offer cashless payments like QR PH or GCash for seamless checkout. Customers love the convenience, and businesses build loyalty with thoughtful bundles that feel intentional, not rushed.

2. Simbang Gabi Specials with a Cause

Few things are more Filipino than the nine days of dawn masses leading up to Christmas. Around every parish, you’ll find vendors selling bibingka, puto bumbong, and hot tsokolate to sleepy but joyful churchgoers. This is the perfect time for SMEs to create Simbang Gabi specials, and take it one step further by tying them to a charitable cause.

At markets like Greenfield Weekend Market in Mandaluyong, small bakeries and cafés run seasonal “buy one, donate one” deals, where proceeds fund parish feeding programs or barangay projects.

It’s not just good for business, it builds community trust. The mechanics are simple: buy X, get Y, plus a small donation goes to a local cause. Display a QR code at your stall, and suddenly your promo is both convenient and meaningful.

3. 12 Days of Filipino Cheer

Want to keep customers excited all month long? Borrow a global playbook and give it a Filipino twist: the “12 Days of Christmas” countdown. Instead of one-off sales, run 12 consecutive days of small, creative promos. Each day can bring something different: free shipping, a limited freebie, or even a digital raffle.

Papemelroti is a local champion of this idea. Their annual “12 Days of Christmas” campaign features eco-friendly gift sets, planners, and holiday décor. Each day unlocks a new deal, announced through Facebook and Instagram. Fans return daily, eager to discover the next surprise. The campaign drives repeat engagement and amplifies Papemelroti’s values around sustainability and Filipino craftsmanship.

For SMEs, the playbook is clear: prepare a dozen small offers, hype it up with countdown posts, and automate redemptions with smart checkout links. Customers will stick around for the ride, and your brand stays top of mind throughout the season.

4. Holiday E-Gift Cards for Online Shoppers

Not every customer has time to browse, especially during the chaos of December. That’s where a low-cost and high-impact holiday e-gift cards comes in. Perfect for last-minute shoppers and OFWs sending gifts from abroad, they’re a flexible way for customers to support your business while still giving something thoughtful.

Gift Depot PH already do this, offering digital vouchers valid for in-store or online use. By mid-December, they ramp up promotions so frantic last-minute buyers can send festive, Filipino-themed gift codes instantly via email or messaging apps.

How PayMongo Can Support Your Promotions

Promotions only succeed if your operations keep up. That’s where PayMongo helps you run smoother campaigns:

• Wallet & QR PH – Make it effortless for customers to pay, whenever and wherever they’re purchasing.
• PayMongo Capital – Need more stock, packaging, or staff for the holiday rush? Quick financing helps you scale without missing sales opportunities.
• Plugins & Smart Links – Launch customized campaigns or e-gift vouchers with checkout links that work seamlessly on Facebook, Instagram, or Shopify.

With PayMongo, your holiday promotions can be seamless, scalable, and profitable.

Know Your “Why”

What ties all these promos together is the why behind it. They aren’t just discounts; they’re experiences designed to fit Filipino culture, holiday behavior, and customer needs. These promotions show that this holiday practice of gift-giving can be accessible to everyone when done right with the right intentions and processes.

Ready to bring your holiday playbook to life? Discover how PayMongo can help you thrive this season.

👉 Learn more about PayMongo today

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