Celebrate the Season
Crafting is now a $31 billion dollar market in the U.S., fueled by consumers that turn to crafting as a means of self expression and gift-giving. September is the perfect month to get consumers thinking about holiday crafting. Each September, CHA sponsors a national retail promotion called Celebrate the Season. The promotion begins in the fall and focuses on craft products and project ideas for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas.
CHA retail members are encouraged to participate in this annual event to help drive consumer crafting across all segments of the industry. CHA makes it quick, fun and easy for you and your customers to participate.
So how do you get involved in the Celebrate the Season promotion? It’s easy. All it takes is some planning and promoting.
Spread the Word
Celebrate the Season can be a fun and exciting event for your business....but only if people know about it! Tap into your local press to help spread the word. Provide lifestyle editors at your local newspaper and magazines, and producers at local TV and radio stations with a quick and easy make-it-yourself holiday craft project.
If you are planning a crafting event for the holidays post fliers at the library, local day care centers, coffee shops and community centers. Contact local teachers and art instructors to help you spread the word. Be sure to include the Celebrate the Season logo on all of your communications – download it now by CLICKING HERE.
CHA Retailers can utilize the CHA Local Retailers Press Kit where you’ll find press releases, media alerts and Public Service Announcements to help generate local media attention around your holiday craft promotions.
Local Retailers Press Kit
Tis’ the Season For Holiday Crafting Ideas
You may already host in-store classes and demonstrations, but why not use Celebrate the Season as an opportunity to develop new and exciting classes that people can take with crafting ideas for the holiday season. Hold a class on how to make simple Halloween costumes or on different handcrafted gift ideas (knitted scarves, all-occasion ornaments, baubled bags, greeting cards, embellished trays, plates and storage boxes – the list is endless)! Need a new project idea? Visit www.craftplace.org for a wealth of holiday projects for all skill levels. Need new instructors? Solicit volunteers from your current customers- they’re a great resource (and they’ll probably bring their friends to the classes they host). Offer small store gift certificates as a thank you for their time and expertise. And make sure all of the products used for the project are readily available. Try offering a one-day discount on these supplies to encourage customers to purchase everything they need to go home and make it on their own.
Host a “Friends and Family Day”
Celebrate the Season is an opportunity for family and friends to spend time crafting together. Sponsor a Friends and Family Day where 2-for-1 classes are offered. Classes should target gift ideas and holiday decorations. Provide special Friends and Family Coupons for your employees or loyal customers to distribute. Try offering “You and a Friend” coupons that can only be redeemed when shoppers make purchases in groups or pairs.
Partner With Your Favorite Charities
September is a great time of year to start promoting a cause that you support. Customers will be excited to participate, you’ll be giving back to your community, and it looks good for you ─ a win, win, win! Hold in-store classes and events to support your charity- make greeting cards for the troops, sew blankets or stuffed toys for children’s charities, craft holiday decorations for a local hospital or library. You can even set up a collection box for craft donations- completed projects or lightly used supplies for children’s groups. There are endless ways that crafts can provide a service to the community. Provide a charitable outlet for consumers and they’ll keep coming back to participate (and to stock up on supplies while they’re there!)
Everyone Loves Free Stuff
Generate excitement over holiday crafting by offering a small give-away. Hold a raffle─ for every $20 spent in your store give the customer one entry. Entice them back by pulling the winner’s name at an in-store Celebrate the Season event and require the winner to be present to receive their prize.
Host a crafting competition. Pick a holiday theme and have customers submit entries. Or make it an in-store extreme crafting event by providing an array of craft items and limited time frame─ you might be surprised with what your customers come up with, not to mention the fun and excitement it will generate. Don’t forget to reward the winning entries.
Even give-aways as simple as a jar of candy at the cashier or free holiday project sheets and patterns will keep shoppers happy. Make sure you post that its all about Celebrating the Season with Crafts!
Share Your Space
Open your doors to local quilting circles or craft clubs. Allowing these groups free studio space in your store is a great way to keep your target market coming back. Reach out to local scouting groups. Help them develop a craft related badge and then invite the troop (with their leaders and parents) into your store to complete the project. You might just find that you’ve inspired a new younger generation of crafting consumers!
These are just a few hints and tips to help you have a fun and successful Celebrate the Season promotion. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Happy Holiday Crafting!
