The holidays present a golden opportunity for SMS marketing — but only if your messages cut through the clutter. With inboxes overflowing and consumer attention stretched thin, it takes more than a good offer to get opened. You need strategy, timing and relevance.
When done right, SMS campaigns don’t just get opened—they get acted on. Here’s how to make it happen.
SMS marketing is the perfect companion to your loyalty and gift card strategy.
Here’s why it works:
These figures underscore that SMS isn’t just seen — it’s acted upon. For the busy holiday season, that immediacy is gold.
It also pairs perfectly with what DataCandy is seeing in the broader loyalty landscape:
Every text that reminds customers to “Send a little joy” or “Grab your bonus card” taps into the same moment of holiday intent — when people are already spending, gifting, and planning visits.
The best holiday SMS campaigns start well before December. Offer an early opt-in incentive — like a holiday offer or exclusive drop — to grow a permission-based list ahead of the rush.
Pro Tip: Segment subscribers by past purchases, gift-giving habits, or price sensitivity so your messages stay relevant. Use loyalty and gift card data to time reminders or rebooking messages right before customers typically return.
Once your list is ready, make each message feel personal — relevance only matters if it feels one-to-one.
Personalization drives higher engagement — just like in-store experiences, where 86% of gift card sales happen because shoppers connect with what feels tangible and personal. SMS brings that same feeling to the digital space.
Finally, balance value with respect: send helpful reminders, not spam. Ensure clear opt-ins, easy opt-outs, and stick to frequency preferences to build trust.
Because SMS feels personal and immediate, the first few words matter more than ever.
Start with something meaningful: “Your VIP holiday deal…” or “Early access: 30% off just for you.” If the message is going out to an existing customer who’s part of your loyalty program, personalizing using their name goes a long way in capturing their attention and agreeableness.
Be clear, concise, and value-driven.
Use a call-to-action: “Tap to claim 🎁” or “Get your gift now.”
Avoid vague offers like “Holiday deal inside” — people know when something is generic and almost immediately dismiss it. Keep every text purposeful, timely, and human.
Need inspiration? Here are five ready-to-send SMS examples designed for the holidays:
Short, personal, and time-sensitive — each one is crafted to drive immediate engagement while keeping your brand tone warm and festive.
Sending the right message at the right moment makes all the difference. During the holiday rush:
Because most people read texts within minutes, perfectly timed messages can drive instant conversions.
During the holidays everyone is offering discounts and special sale offers. Yours should feel different by offering genuine value:
Small promotions like these add up fast — DataCandy clients offered nearly $6 million in promo cards last year, with $3.4 million redeemed. That’s proof that well-timed offers don’t just drive sales; they inspire repeat visits and engagement.
Use campaign metrics to fine-tune your holiday messaging:
With SMS, the feedback loop is quick — you often see results in minutes. That makes it easy to A/B test first lines, timing, and offers during the holiday rush for immediate wins.
Combine those insights with your DataCandy dashboard — tracking reloads, redemption delays, and promo performance — to predict next season’s best send times.
Holiday campaigns are crowded. But SMS gives you a direct line to your audience at exactly the right moment — when they’re shopping, scrolling, deciding.
Its real power though, comes when it’s part of a larger strategy. Pair your emails, loyalty offers, and gift card promotions with timely SMS reminders to multiply impact across every touchpoint. This alignment turns each message into a conversion opportunity — from the moment a customer buys to when they redeem.
With DataCandy, your strong product range, and an engaged audience, SMS becomes your holiday power play. Build your list, plan your message map, and personalize smartly — and watch your holiday ROI take off.