In this episode of the Modern Direct Seller Podcast, we’re diving into how holiday shoppers are spending this year and what that means for your business. We’re sharing the latest shopping data and real feedback from our Q4 virtual retreat. Then we map out the season and share promo and event ideas to help you make the most of the holidays. If your plan for the season is still coming together, this one’s for you.

Looking for a place to send all the new shoppers you meet this season? Grab a free capture and convert homepage from Oh My Hi, the ultimate do-it-all website platform made for direct sellers.

Time based notes:

How to Win Holiday Sales Before the Budgets Run Out

Holiday shoppers are getting an early start this year, and many will spend most of their gift budget before Black Friday arrives. That means the sellers who show up early are the ones who get a share of it. Here’s how to plan your season so you’re one of them.

Why Gift Budgets Disappear Early

Imagine a shopper with $500 to spend on holiday gifts. Odds are, most of it will be gone by Black Friday. 66% of shoppers plan to start before Thanksgiving, and 40% start before October is over.

Money is a little tighter this year. Consumer confidence is down 18.5%, but gift spending is only expected to drop about 2%. People are still buying gifts, so the goal is to reach them before their budget runs out.

It also helps to know how they’re shopping. 60% plan to shop in stores again, and 57% plan to shop right from their phones. Plan a few in-person events, and double-check how your shop looks on a phone.

A Bright Spot for Direct Sales

There’s good news for our industry too. Direct selling brought in $34.2 billion in the U.S. in 2025. There are fewer sellers out there now, but more customers are buying.

Perception of direct sales is also up 21% since 2019. More customers and a better reputation make this a great season to show up.

Timing Your Promos Around Real Life

Most direct sellers work part-time, so your holiday plan needs to fit around real life. Block off the days you want to protect first, and aim to wrap things up by the shipping cutoff, which usually falls in mid-December.

Right now is holiday buzz season, which runs until about November 27th. It’s the time for early access, VIP lists, and early bird bonuses. Black Friday weekend follows from November 27th to 30th, and primetime shopping runs through December 24th.

Before you build anything new, look at what worked last year. A promo that did well can come back with a new name and a fresh look, so you don’t have to reinvent your business in your busiest season.

Give Shoppers a Reason to Spend a Little More

Try stacking a bonus on top of your company’s offer. If they give free shipping at $75, you might add a mystery gift at $100. This idea came from a master class with Steph Paradiso, and it nudges customers to spend a little more.

A digital product you create also makes a great gift with purchase at that higher level. It might not seem like much, but it carries real value and gives people a reason to reach that next tier.

You can also build urgency early. Give every order before Black Friday a bingo or mystery square, then reveal the prizes when Cyber Monday rolls around.

New Ways to Bring People Through the Door

Holiday events don’t need to be a sales presentation. Think about how people can enjoy your products, like a spa night with gift wrapping or a bread art night.

Ashley Varney with Color Street is hosting a painting night where guests paint pumpkins and get their nails done. She pre-sells tickets, so she knows people will come.

Online, messenger parties are still working. Some sellers are even listing items on Facebook Marketplace, so check your company’s policy first. Collabs with other direct sellers help you reach a new audience, and vendor events let you go where people already gather.

Showing Love to Your Current Customers

People want connection right now. We’ve seen it in our Oh My Hi coffee chats, where people keep coming back with questions and ready to buy.

Text parties, customer groups, and Oh My Hi pop-up shops are working well. A shop now, save later promo is great too, especially if customers can redeem it in January when things slow down.

At in-person events, keep pre-made bundles on hand, like $10 teacher gifts or build-your-own beauty bags. You could also add an item to a stocking for every order and let every buyer enter to win it.

Choose What You’ll Focus On

You can’t do everything this season, and that’s okay. Pick one or two ideas you can put your heart into. Then offer early and often, since people need to see something a few times before they buy.

Shoppers are spending this year, and we want them spending with you. If you need a home base for new customers, you can start your own website with Oh My Hi.