The biggest challenge local business owners face in December isn’t ideas — it’s attention. People aren’t scrolling as much. They’re running errands, shopping, driving kids around, attending events, and trying to check 300 things off a holiday list.

So this guide focuses on one thing:

How to get foot traffic, walk-ins, visibility, and “local buzz” — fast.

No complex marketing. No expensive ads. Just exposure triggers that work in December.

Day 1 — The Walkway Magnet: Put Something Outside That Stops People

People are outside more in December. Put something out front that forces a pause:

• A selfie spot
  • A giant holiday display
  • A warm drink stand
  • A smell (yes — cinnamon, cider, fresh cookies…)
  • A sign that makes people laugh

This is the fastest way to turn strangers into walk-ins.

Day 2 — Geofenced Local Awareness Boost

Run a 1-mile radius Facebook/Instagram ad targeting people physically near your business.

Creative:

“Holiday rush? We’re right around the corner →” 

With a picture of your storefront.

Cost: $5–$10/day

Impact: Massive visibility with locals who can actually show up.

Day 3 — The Parking Lot Strategy

If your business has parking or is near a busy intersection:

• Chalkboard signs
  • Flags
  • A-frame boards
  • Branded feather banners
  • A holiday-costumed employee waving at cars

It sounds “old school,” but for local visibility? It’s unbeatable.

Day 4 — Piggyback a Nearby Business’s Foot Traffic

 Next to a gym?
A grocery store?
A coffee shop?
A gas station?
A nail salon?

Distribute mini “holiday reminder” cards or table-toppers at their checkout or waiting area.

Most businesses will allow this if you give their customers a special offer.

Day 5 — Neighborhood Flyers (But Done the Modern Way)

Not cheap-looking flyers.One high-quality, holiday-themed “VIP card.”

Hand-deliver them to:

• Apartment lobbies
  • Senior living communities
  • Office buildings
  • Local PTAs
  • Anywhere foot traffic is dense

Visibility: instant.
Cost: peanuts.

Day 6 — Partner With One Local Influencer (Micro Only)

Don’t chase big influencers.

Find:

• A local mom with 3k–10k followers
  • A local foodie page
  • A neighborhood group admin
  • A lifestyle creator in your zip code

Pay them with product, not money. Let them visit, film, and post.

Local influencers = laser-targeted foot traffic.

Day 7 — The Neighboring Business Challenge

Walk to the 10 closest businesses. Give them a stack of “holiday cards” with a unique discount.

Tell them:

“If any of your customers redeem this, your team gets a free _____.”

Now other businesses are incentivized to promote you.

Day 8 — Google Business Profile Posting Blitz

GBP is the #1 driver of local visibility in December.

Post 2–3 times weekly:

• Holiday hours
  • Gift ideas
  • Before/after photos
  • Promotions
  • Customer stories

This triggers local “discovery searches.”

More searches → more directions requests → more foot traffic.

Day 9 — Give Out a Free “Holiday Sample” Outside

This works for ANY business:

 Restaurant → cookies/hot chocolate
Bakery → bites
Salon → free mini product sample
Gym → free water + pass
Auto repair → branded ice scraper
Retail → candy canes + coupon
HVAC/cleaning → branded holiday fridge magnet

Samples = attention.
Attention = foot traffic.

Day 10 — Holiday “Drop-In” Events

Small, low-effort events work:

• Ornament decorating table
  • Gingerbread tasting
  • DIY cocoa bar
  • Kids coloring station

These create natural foot traffic spikes, especially weekends.

Day 11 — Run a “Scan to Save” QR Code Campaign

Place QR codes:

• On your window
  • On your door
  • On nearby poles
  • At nearby businesses
  • On car magnets
  • On printed bags

Scanning leads to: 

“Surprise Holiday Gift — Open Here”

That page shows your holiday offer.

This converts cold foot traffic into warm intent.

Day 12 — Sponsor a Holiday Photo Contest

Ask customers to post a holiday picture with your business tagged.

Winner gets:

• $50 gift card
  • Free service
  • Free upgrade

Their posts = free distribution to hundreds of locals.

Day 13 — Offer an Instant Holiday Freebie With Walk-In

Something small but irresistible:

• Free cookie
  • Free mug
  • Free stocking stuffer
  • Free holiday scent sample
  • Free ornament
  • Free toy for kids

People will stop in just to get the freebie.
Then spend money because they’re inside.

Day 14 — Use Local Facebook Groups the Right Way

Not spam.

Post helpful holiday content:

• “Best last-minute gifts under $20 (local edition)”
  • “Top 5 ways to avoid holiday stress this week”

Include one soft mention of your business.

Admins allow helpful posts. The exposure is huge.

Day 15 — Launch a “Beat the Rush” Morning Special

Foot traffic is easiest to capture early.

Example:

“10AM–12PM only: first 15 customers get _____.”

This spreads fast by word of mouth.

Day 16 — The Grocery Store Checkout Line Hack

Ask a local grocery store manager if you can place:

• A sign
  • A holiday card
  • A coupon stack
  • A sample tray (if food-related)

This is hyper-local visibility at peak holiday volume.

Day 17 — Run a Neighbor Appreciation Day

Flyers go door-to-door ONLY on streets within 1 mile.

Offer something exclusive: 

“Just for neighbors: free treat + 10% off today only.”

People LOVE neighborhood-only perks. It increases walk-ins quickly.

Day 18 — Team Up With a Local Charity

Example:

“Donate a toy → Get 15% off this week.”

-Charities share it.
-Community pages share it.
-People walk in to donate.

Foot traffic doubles.

Day 19 — Offer a Quick “Holiday Fix” Service

Something that solves a December pain:

• Free gift wrapping
  • Free “winter check”
  • 10-minute tune-up
  • Last-minute gift basket assembly
  • The “we’ll handle it for you” service

This type of offer justifies a walk-in.

Day 20 — Create a Limited-Time “Holiday Menu”

Works for all industries:

 Salon → holiday colors/styles
Auto → winter readiness packages
Retail → holiday bundles
Restaurants → seasonal drinks
Pet services → holiday spa packages

New = buzz.
Buzz = foot traffic.

Day 21 — Use Door Hangers in High-Foot-Traffic Blocks

Door hangers aren’t old-fashioned — they’re perfect for dense housing areas.

Include:

 “Show this hanger for a bonus gift.”

When they redeem it, they’re walking into your business.

Day 22 — Drop a “Stocking Stuffer Under $10” Lineup

Make it visible in your window.

 People stop.
People walk in.
People buy more.

Low-ticket items drive walk-in traffic.

Day 23 — Create a Citywide “Holiday Scavenger Hunt” With Other Businesses

Every participating business gets one clue.

Participants must visit each location to complete it.

This creates multi-business shared foot traffic.

Day 24 — Make Your Storefront Unmissable

The storefront is your billboard.

Add:

• Lights
  • Movement
  • Projection lights
  • Holiday inflatables
  • Window decals
  • A-frame with a funny line

Visibility = walk-ins.

Day 25 — Host a “December 26 Bounce Back” Event

The day after Christmas is HUGE.

Offer:

“Bring in any gift you don’t want → get 15% off what you DO want.”

Foot traffic skyrockets.

Final words… 

The final stretch before Christmas can feel chaotic, but it’s also one of the few moments where the playing field tilts toward local businesses. Customers are looking for connection, convenience, and real people — things big-box competitors simply can’t offer. When you show up with intention, even small moves can create outsized momentum. You don’t need a massive budget or a complicated plan. You just need to be visible, helpful, and present in the places your community already is.

If you take anything from this guide, let it be this: you have far more influence over your holiday foot traffic than you think. Local shoppers want to support local businesses — they just need to see you. Put yourself in their path, give them a reason to stop, and make their visit feel worthwhile. Do that, and you won’t just win December… you’ll carry that momentum straight into the new year.