The holiday season is upon us again! There are many opportunities in December for law firm marketing activities designed to thank clients, celebrate staff, and plan for the New Year. Listed below are a variety of law firm marketing ideas for you to use, from parties to gift giving.

December Holidays

Here are the December holidays that you can weave into your social media messaging and holiday planning.

• December 7 – Hanukkah starts
• December 16 — National Wreaths Across America Day
• December 24 — Christmas Eve
• December 25 – Christmas Day
• December 26 — Boxing Day and start of Kwanzaa
• December 31 — New Year’s Eve

The holiday greetings for these special days are well suited to advanced planning and scheduled publication, which facilitates the effort for marketing communications.

Other days of note in December include the National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance (December 7) and the Winter Solstice (December 21).

Holiday Gift Giving

Should you give your law firm clients a gift? Some law firms have a tradition of gift giving at the holiday season. A box of chocolates, a tin of cookies, or a basket of fruit are suitable gifts that can be easily shared by recipients in an office setting. These gifts are thoughtful, appreciated, and priced at a point that should not present conflicts. Remote work has made this a bit more challenging in recent years, however, since you may not know exactly where to send your gift if your client works from home. An alternative is to make a charitable contribution on behalf of clients and share this news in your holiday greetings. If you want to recognize special clients, you might consider a personalized gift or a memorable dinner or lunch at a favorite restaurant. In any event, be mindful of any restrictions that your clients may have on accepting gifts.

Holiday Cards

Sending holiday cards to customers and partners has several benefits for businesses. Most importantly, this is the perfect time to express gratitude for your existing relationship and to offer wishes for happiness and success in the New Year. A holiday card can maintain long-term client relationships and strengthen work bonds. Cards delivered electronically are increasingly popular due to the ease and low cost of email marketing. A traditional paper card can stand out simply due to the fact that they are less common in today’s age of digital marketing. Whichever you choose, a holiday card can make a lasting impression throughout the holiday season.

Holiday Parties

Holiday parties present a natural opportunity to network with colleagues and business friends who are well positioned to help you in 2024 with client referrals and professional guidance. Use these occasions to deepen your relationships while celebrating the joys of the holiday season. Take photos that you can share on social media. Ask your contacts about their 2024 plans and make a mental note so you can try to help them achieve their New Year goals. Then you have a good reason to follow up with your network members in 2024.

Charitable Contributions

Supporting your favorite business charities during the holiday season can have strong benefits both personally and professionally. A financial or gift contribution to a civic or non-profit organization that serves your community can help strengthen your community ties. Ideas include a toy drive for children, where you can demonstrate with photos your team members collecting and wrapping toys. You could also collect food, clothing, or similar items in need. Spending time in a food kitchen or delivering holiday items in your community are other ways to help others while reinforcing your firm’s civic commitment.

Prepare for 2024

Despite all the holiday parties and gift giving, it is worth taking some time to be prepared for a strong start to 2024. Give some thought to your law firm marketing plan, and make sure that you have your marketing materials – like a law firm resume or law firm brochure – updated and ready for use in January.

Relax and Enjoy the Holiday Week

This year both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Monday. You can expect the week between these two special days to be quiet on the business front, as Americans use this time to be with family and friends on vacation or at home. Even those who are working seem to be doing so quietly. I’ve always found that the holiday week is a good time to prepare for the start of the New Year, without the distraction of incoming phone calls and business deadlines.

Enjoy the holidays! If we can help your law firm with your 2024 marketing plans, let’s schedule a time to talk at your convenience.

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Contact Margaret Grisdela, a legal marketing consultant, at 561-266-1030 or via email. Connect with Margaret Grisdela on LinkedIn.