Your Guide To Using Christmas QR Codes (For Sales & Celebrations)

For most people, the holiday season is about family, festivities, and gifting. But for marketers and sales teams? It’s a golden opportunity wrapped in tinsel and fairy lights. 

While everyone else is choosing their Christmas dinner menu, we are laser-focused on one thing: How do we capture a bigger piece of this year’s holiday spending pie?

And this year, that pie is even bigger. In 2024, the average US consumer plans to spend $1,063 on holiday-related purchases—an increase of 8% from 2023. For brands, that’s more than just a figure—it’s a chance to get creative and stand out. 

If you are in the same boat and want to make the most of this holiday season, you can use Christmas QR Codes as a competitive advantage. Let’s discuss how.

Table of contents

• 11 Ways to use QR Codes to boost your sales during Christmas
• Tips for using QR Codes for Christmas celebrations
• How to create a Christmas QR Code
• Brands that nailed their Christmas campaigns with QR Codes
• Frequently asked questions

11 Ways to use QR Codes to boost your sales during Christmas

Let’s understand how you can use QR Codes in multiple ways to drive more purchases and user engagement. Read on!

1. Share Christmas offers, flash sales, and coupons

⚡ Offers and flash sales: Your Christmas offers are an excellent opportunity to convert your target audience into customers. You can coax your offline audience to your flash sale sites with QR Codes. For example, place a website QR Code on your store windows and displays and point people to view limited-period offers (make sure to state this clearly). 

🧈 Daily deals: Consider offering exclusive discounts for the “12 Days of Christmas.” Use QR Codes with Smart Rules to point customers to different daily deals. With dynamic QR Codes, you can update the link without changing the code itself.

🎟️ Christmas coupons: You can create coupon QR Codes for the Christmas sale and distribute them at your stores or other strategic locations. Upon scanning, the QR Code could point people to a landing page with Christmas offers. This way, even people who leave your physical store can buy products from your online store and use the coupon code later, prompting repeat purchases.

2. QR Code Christmas cards and interactive product packaging

If you send text-based Christmas cards every season, make this year’s memorable with a personalized video message that users can directly view from the card using a QR Code.

You can also attach QR Codes to your product packaging, shopping bags, and gift wraps—whatever fits your biz—to share engaging audio-visual content. 

For example, if you have a toy store, consider attaching QR Codes to the gift packaging or carrying bags. When children or their parents scan these, they can receive personalized offers or video messages from Santa Claus, elevating a regular gift-giving experience to new levels. 

You can take the gifting experience to the next level by using a corporate gifting platform to choose automated gifts for everyone intelligently and then deliver them as well. Nothing beats personalized gifting!

Related: How to create a video QR Code

3. Drive donations for charity during the holiday season 

Hosting Christmas charity events or markets? You can place QR Codes on physical donation boxes, containers, and standees. Guests can scan these QR Codes to access a secure payment gateway or the non-profit/charity website for quick donations. 

You can also use QR Codes to link to video stories about beneficiaries and details about the cause, making the donation experience more personal and impactful.

4. Enhance customer experience

People aren’t just shopping for gifts during the holiday season—they’re looking to immerse themselves in Christmas-themed experiences. 

Suppose you’ve invested in creating a festive vibe on your website, such as introducing a mini Christmas game or designing an interactive advent calendar. Why not extend this joy to your customers through creative touchpoints?

For example, let’s say you own a bakery and have crafted a Christmas-exclusive menu. Instead of listing items in-store, consider placing a QR Code on your holiday-themed packaging or display. 

When scanned, the code could lead to an interactive digital menu showcasing your baked goodies with a festive twist—like behind-the-scenes baking videos, a fun Christmas quiz, or a coupon to redeem in-store.

Similarly, if you run a retail store, you could set up an in-store holiday treasure hunt. QR Codes placed in different sections could reveal fun Christmas facts and gift ideas or even unlock small rewards such as discounts or freebies.

QR Codes can seamlessly bridge physical and digital experiences, offering customers a memorable interaction while adding value to their holiday journey. Whether it’s a festive video, a surprise discount, or an immersive experience, QR Codes help make your holiday promotions more personal and engaging.

Also read: Our guide on how to create a multimedia QR Code

5. Increase participants in your events and games

🎪Events: Similar to attracting people into your store, you can attract people to Christmas events with QR Codes. For example, you can create calendar QR Codes for your event and include them in your promotional materials, such as flyers and posters. When people scan these QR Codes, they can instantly add the event to their calendar as a reminder.  

🕹️Fun games: QR Codes can make online and offline gaming experiences more accessible. Here are three ways to use it:

• Use Christmas QR Codes to redirect game winners to a website to claim prizes or coupons
• Use it to redirect offline participants to a website to play online Christmas-themed games
• Conduct scavenger hunts with QR Codes where participants can find clues through QR Codes

6. Boost mobile app downloads

Your mobile app could be a key touchpoint for customers during Christmas. Encourage downloads with app store QR Codes placed strategically on:

• Storefront posters or window displays
• Shopping bags or product packaging
• Print ads or receipts with a festive message such as, “Download app for Christmasy deals!”

App QR Codes automatically detect the user’s device type and redirect them to the correct app store, making downloads effortless and more likely. 

Once customers are in your app, guide them toward Christmas collections or offer app-only discounts with deep links to drive conversions.

7. Enhance post-purchase experience

Keep the festive spirit alive even after the purchase by using QR Codes on receipts or packaging to share Christmas surprises, like personalized thank-you notes, gift guides, or exclusive holiday offers.

• Link to setup guides or product tutorials for holiday items to ensure customers get the most out of their purchases.
• Direct customers to feedback forms or loyalty program registration pages. A message like, “Tell us about your shopping experience and get a special Christmas discount!” works wonders for engagement.

8. Provide virtual shopping experiences

Improve the shopping journey for your customers with QR Codes that provide immersive digital experiences. You can add 360° product views or AR elements to in-store displays, and shoppers can scan a QR Code to explore your products virtually.

Take inspiration from Tesco’s virtual stores in South Korea, which offer a “Shop on the Go” solution tailored for customers with hectic schedules. This strategy helped Tesco reconnect with busy shoppers, boosting engagement and sales.

Additionally, consider creating virtual holiday-themed showcases where customers can browse gift collections, even from home.  

9. Boost your social media reach

Did you know 65% of shoppers turn to social media to find or buy holiday gifts? That’s why maximizing your presence where your customers are already spending time is crucial. 

A social media QR Code is the perfect tool for linking your social profiles, online store, and website all in one scannable code.

Place this QR Code on various holiday marketing materials, such as in-store displays, gift tags, or e-cards, to point customers to your social media handles so they can follow you and engage online. Don’t forget to add a “Follow us on <social media name>” CTA near the QR Code.  

You can add to the excitement by offering tiered prizes for actions such as sharing the giveaway or tagging your brand. Afterward, follow up with personalized discounts to keep participants engaged and encourage repeat visits. 

For example, Hydro Flask celebrated reaching 200k followers by running this contest to gain a few more. They asked fans to follow @hydroflask and tag two friends in the post comments to enter to win a 32-oz. Hydro Flask. The post garnered over 12,500 likes, demonstrating significant engagement. And with two winners, participants had better odds of winning!

10. Increase brand engagement with free Christmas ornaments

Make holiday shopping feel extra special by including a free Christmas ornament with every order—and adding a QR Code to it! When scanned, the code can direct customers to a festive landing page with multiple useful links, such as:

• Exclusive holiday deals they won’t want to miss
• A digital advent calendar with daily surprises
• Behind-the-scenes holiday content (like how your products are made or a heartfelt team message)

This create a memorable unboxing experience while giving customers a reason to stay connected with your brand long after the holidays. Plus, guests who see the ornament might scan the QR code too—leading to new potential customers and even more engagement.

11. Add a touch of holiday magic with augmented reality

Want to take customer engagement up a notch? Use QR Codes to bring Augmented Reality (AR) experiences to life! Here’s how:

• Virtual Santa Greetings: Let customers scan a QR Code to receive a personalized holiday message from Santa—perfect for stores selling kids’ products or gifts.
• Snowfall Effects: To add a cozy, festive touch, let customers scan a QR Code and see a winter wonderland effect overlaying their surroundings.
• 3D Product Previews: If you sell holiday gifts, let customers visualize your products in their space before purchasing—this works especially well for furniture, decor, and even festive outfits!

Integrating AR using QR Codes can make shopping more interactive for customers, boost engagement, and create a holiday experience they will remember and share.

Tips for using QR Codes for Christmas celebrations

Christmas is more than shopping and gifts. It’s about making memories with the people you love. QR Codes can add a fun, creative twist to your celebrations. Use them for festive greetings, holiday games, or sharing special moments in a unique way.

Here are some fun ways to make this Christmas extra special with QR Codes! 

1. Make your Christmas cards memorable

A handwritten card is thoughtful, but adding a digital element makes it even more special. Instead of just writing a message, include a QR Code that links to:

🎥 A personalized video message – Record a short holiday greeting for your friends and family. They can scan the QR Code to watch your heartfelt wishes instead of just reading them.

📸 A festive photo album – Upload your best Christmas photos from previous years and let your loved ones take a trip down memory lane.

🎶 A voice message or holiday song – If you want to add a personal touch, record yourself singing a Christmas carol or sharing a special memory.

2. Create a digital advent calendar

Advent calendars are a holiday staple, but what if you could make them digital? With QR Codes, you can reveal daily surprises leading up to Christmas in a fun and interactive way.

Each QR Code can unlock something festive, such as a joke or fun fact. For example, “Did you know the first-ever Christmas tree decorations were made from apples and nuts?” You can also link to a Christmas recipe, sharing a new holiday treat each day, from gingerbread cookies to eggnog. Or keep the festive spirit alive with a holiday song or playlist on Spotify or YouTube.

Stick QR Codes on 24 envelopes or small boxes. When scanned, each will reveal a unique holiday surprise. Kids and adults alike will love the anticipation!

3. Organize a Christmas scavenger hunt

Looking for a fun way to liven up your Christmas party? A QR Code scavenger hunt is the perfect way to get everyone involved, whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or coworkers. Instead of using traditional paper clues, let QR Codes reveal surprises, riddles, and festive challenges for them.

🔎 How it works:

1. Place QR Codes around your home, Christmas tree, or event space.
2. Each scanned QR Code provides a riddle, hint, or fun Christmas trivia question.
3. The final QR Code leads to a surprise gift, a hidden stocking, or a Christmas treat!

4. Share holiday playlists and videos

Nothing brings Christmas cheer like the perfect holiday soundtrack. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or a big festive party, QR Codes make it easy to share and customize the music. Instead of playing the same old songs on repeat, why not let everyone join in on the fun?

Start by creating a Christmas playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. Then, generate a QR Code linking to it and place it where guests can easily scan—on holiday invitations, decorations, or dinner menus. As soon as they scan the code, they’ll be able to listen, enjoy, and even add their favorite holiday tunes.

This is the easiest way to make your party a more interactive experience, like a Christmas-themed jukebox where everyone gets to play DJ!

5. Add a surprise to gift wrapping

Make your gifts extra special with a QR Code that adds a personal touch. Instead of just wrapping a present, attach a QR Code linking to:

💌 A video message from the gift giver – Let the recipient scan and hear why you chose the gift for them.

🔍 A riddle or clue about the present – Make them guess before unwrapping!

🎟 A digital experience – If you’re gifting a concert ticket, a spa day, or a subscription, link the QR Code to the event details or a fun teaser video.

If you’re wrapping a child’s Christmas gift, a QR Code could also reveal a special message from Santa himself!

6. Send virtual Christmas invitations

Skip the paper invites and go digital with QR Code Christmas invitations! They’re easy to send, fun to interact with, and can include so much more than just the event details.

📅 What to include:

• Event details and location
• RSVP options
• A countdown timer to Christmas Eve
• A festive quiz to get guests excited

7. Collect donations for a holiday cause

Christmas is the season of giving, and QR Codes make it easier than ever to support a good cause. Whether you’re raising funds for a local charity, hosting a community fundraiser, or collecting donations at a holiday event, a simple scan can connect people to a secure donation page in seconds.

Print a QR Code on Christmas cards, posters, or event programs, linking it directly to a donation page. If you’re part of a church or community group, include QR Codes in bulletins or holiday newsletters to encourage giving. At Christmas markets or fundraisers, use QR Codes on signs and flyers to share impact stories through videos, showing exactly how donations will help.

Instead of relying on cash donations, which can be limiting, a QR Code allows people to contribute instantly with their phones—making it convenient, fast, and more likely to encourage generosity this holiday season.

How to create a Christmas QR Code 

You just saw how to use Christmas QR Codes for multiple cases and host different content types, from text to videos. Here’s how to create Christmas QR Codes in five steps (details below):

1. Log-in to the Uniqode dashboard
2. Choose the campaign type based on your use case
3. Add the destination URL or file
4. Customize the Christmas QR Code
5. Download the Christmas QR Code

Let’s consider that you want to embed a website into your QR Code. 

Here’s a detailed description of how you can create a Christmas QR Code for your website using the Uniqode dashboard:

Step 1: Log-in to the Uniqode dashboard

💻 If you don’t have access to a QR Code generator,
sign-up on Uniqode—all premium features are free for 14 days and do not require credit cards.

Customize the QR Code design: add Christmas colors, logos, background, etc., and save them for future use.

Log-in and navigate to the top right of the dashboard. Click “+CREATE” and then “QR Codes.”

Step 2: Choose the QR Code type

Select “Website” from the list of dynamic campaign types. 

✍️ A point to note: You can choose from different QR Code types, based on what content you want to share. 
For instance, to create a menu QR Code, you must choose “Restaurant Menu” to share a podcast or music, choose “MP3,” and so on. 

Step 3: Add the destination URL or file

Paste the URL of the website or landing page and click “Next.” 

🔥Pro tip: Catering to multiple markets with QR campaigns? Use multi-language support to redirect users to pages based on their device’s language settings. For this feature to work, you must make the multilingual sites available on the Uniqode dashboard.

Show me how

Step 4: Customize the Christmas QR Code

Customize the QR Code with any Christmas color scheme you choose. You can also customize the following:

1. The QR Code pattern (dots)
2. Eye shape (three big dots on the sides)
3. Add a background image, or a solid color, or keep it transparent
4. Add a logo at the center of the QR Code
5. Change the QR Code pattern, eyes, and frame colors

Step 5: Download the Christmas QR Code

From the preview, perform a test scan on multiple devices to ensure the QR Code is working. Then, download the QR Code in the desired format per your use case. 

You can use PDF, PNG, SVG, EPS, and JPEG formats. Click the desired format and download the QR Code.

Read more: How to download a QR Code and which format to download in

Pro tips to make Your Christmas QR Code campaign stand out

✨Now that you know how to create and use Christmas QR Codes, here are some tips to help you stand out from your competitors during the holiday season:

Tip 1: Opt for dynamic Christmas QR Codes 

You cannot edit, track, and extensively customize static QR Codes. It means you cannot differentiate the QR Codes much from competitors.   

Dynamic Christmas QR Codes offer distinct advantages over static QR Codes. 

1. You can edit the URL at any time 

You can modify dynamic QR Codes in real time to update content, offers, or information as frequently as needed. 

For example, if you decide to offer a new Christmas discount halfway through the holiday season, you can easily update the QR Code to reflect the latest offer. This change will be instantly visible to customers scanning the code, so you don’t have to print and distribute new QR Codes for every update.

2. You can extensively customize 

With dynamic QR Codes, you can customize the QR Codes in red, white, and green themes. You can also customize the shape of the QR Code, such as creating a circle QR Code, embedding a picture in the background, or adding your business or holiday-themed logo.

All these customizations can make your Christmas QR Codes visually relevant and more engaging compared to a static black-and-white QR Code. 

3. Track your QR Code performance 

With dynamic QR Codes, you can track these offline campaign metrics, which is impossible with static or free QR Codes. 

For example, you can place QR Codes at multiple locations in your store and track which QR Codes perform best. 

You can also track how many people scanned your Christmas QR Codes and compare them with the store’s footfall. This way, you can measure your store conversion rate. 

Tip 2: Place your QR Code strategically for high visibility 

The effectiveness of your Christmas QR Code campaign relies on its design, content, and strategic placement. 

Strategic placement ensures high visibility and maximizes customer engagement during the holiday season. Here are some strategic places to place your Christmas QR Codes: 

1. In-store displays

Place QR Codes near high footfall locations within your physical store. Ideal spots include entrances, product displays, checkout counters, and fitting rooms.

2. Marketing collateral

Ensure you give prominent space for Christmas QR Codes on flyers, posters, standees, or any marketing material. Make sure to give some white space around the QR Code to make it prominent. 

If you use QR Codes for package marketing, we suggest you place them on top of the package/box and avoid any corners or folds. 

3. Websites, emails, and social media

Make Christmas QR Codes a part of visually appealing graphics and content. Use it on your websites, email signatures, and social media posts to redirect your audience to different web pages and content. 

For Instance, you can use QR Codes on your email signature to encourage people to follow your social media channel for the latest Christmas updates.

Tip 3: Get the QR Code basics right

Ensure that you have the fundamental elements of your Christmas QR Code campaign in place. Here are the key steps to get it right:

1. Secure public access to your cloud or online file

Ensure that the content (hosted on third-party platforms) linked to your Christmas QR Code, such as a website, coupon, video, etc., is accessible to the public. 

Otherwise, when people scan, they will be redirected to a 404 error page, limiting the success of your campaign. 

To avoid this, scan your QR Code with mobile devices before you deploy the QR Code. 

2. Avoid pixelated QR Codes

Pixelated or skewed QR Codes hamper scannability and make scanning difficult for people to scan. Download the QR Code in a suitable format for specific use cases to avoid this. 

For instance, download the QR Codes in PNG to use on websites, social media, and coupons where you don’t have to resize the QR Code. 

If you use Christmas QR Codes on standees or displays where you want a bigger size, high-resolution QR Code formats such as SVG or EPS work best as they won’t pixelate when resized.

3. Include a compelling Call To Action (CTA)

Incorporate a clear and enticing Christmas QR Code Call To Action (CTA) that provides users a preview of what the QR Code leads to and encourages users to scan. 

For example, “Scan for holiday deals” or “Scan for Christmas greetings,” etc.

 4. Opt for contrasting background colors

Select contrasting background colors for your Christmas QR Code to enhance visibility and scannability. 

The QR Code should ideally stand out against its background, making it easy for users to scan.

If you already have a printed background and require a transparent QR Code, you can download it in PNG and use it on your marketing materials. 

Tip 4: Use smart features like geofencing

Use geofencing-enabled QR Codes to provide location-specific offers.

1. Localized Discounts: Place QR Codes in specific cities or neighborhoods and tailor the offers based on the region. For instance, customers scanning a code in one store could receive a unique Christmas discount unavailable elsewhere.
2. Holiday Event Navigation: Use QR Codes to provide directions to special in-store Christmas events or pop-ups via Google Maps integration. This simplifies the customer journey and ensures maximum attendance.

Brands that nailed their Christmas campaigns with QR Codes

Here are three instances where popular brands such as Swarovski, The Salvation Army, and Pepsi spread the holiday cheer via QR Codes: 

1. Game-based coupon QR Code by Swarovski  

Swarovski, a popular jewelry brand, used Christmas QR Codes to increase engagement with their customers. Upon scanning, customers had to enter details to play a game. 

Additionally, the winners of the game got a voucher that they can use to make a purchase. These vouchers in turn, helped increase sales volume.

2. Donation QR Codes by The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army’s annual Kettlebell campaign involves workers ringing bells outside grocery stores to raise donations. 

Besides asking for donations in physical coins or cash, they installed Christmas QR Codes. People can scan the QR Code and donate to the cause digitally. 

3. Pepsi’s game-based QR Codes for increasing holiday sales

Pepsi used Christmas QR Codes on product packaging that consumers can scan and play a game to win a gift.

To win the gift, people must buy at least three cans of Pepsi from a specific date. This marketing campaign ideally helps their sales strategy during the holiday season.

4. Corona’s color-changing cans  

In 2023, Corona partnered with fashion designer Talia Coles to redesign their cans with thermochromic ink, revealing festive imagery as the temperature changed.

A QR Code on the can took customers to the Corona Holiday Sweepstakes website, where they could enter to win a Feliz Navi-Drip robe. This fun and visually engaging campaign increased customer engagement and drove more QR Code scans, contributing to holiday sales.

5. OzHarvest’s National Food Relief Campaign  

OzHarvest, an Australian food rescue organization, launched a holiday campaign in 2024 with limited-edition coffee cups featuring QR Codes.

Scanning the QR Code allowed customers to donate to the Unite to Feed Australia initiative, with $5 providing ten meals. This uninterrupted donation increased contributions, raising awareness for food insecurity and helping provide millions of meals during Christmas.

Get closer to your holiday sales target with Christmas QR Codes

As the holiday season approaches, it’s not just the contagious festive cheer—it’s the opportunity for businesses to capture the spirit of giving and sales. With Christmas excitement, brands have a unique chance to engage and convert like never before.

QR Codes are a valuable addition to your holiday marketing strategy to increase your sales. And with Uniqode’s easy-to-use platform, you can create, customize, and track your Christmas QR Codes at scale. 

Wondering how to create a Christmas QR Code this holiday season? Get started by creating one below👇 

Frequently asked questions

1. How do you put a QR Code on a Christmas card?

Follow these steps to put a QR Code on your Christmas card:

1. Sign-up or Log-in to the Uniqode dashboard
2. Click “+CREATE” and then “QR Codes”
3. Choose the campaign type as “Website”
4. Paste the URL of the content (Greetings video, image, etc.) you want to add to the QR Code
5. Customize and download the QR Code in the desired format

2. Can I change my QR Code after Christmas is over?

Here’s what you can do after Christmas is over:

1. You can create a new QR Code and replace it.
2. You can edit or update the destination URL/content of the existing QR Code (Only if you have created a dynamic QR Code). However, we don’t suggest it, as the QR Code will carry the scan data from the previous campaign. You cannot change without reprinting if you have printed and shared the QR Code with Christmas-specific customization. 

3. Will Christmas QR Codes expire after Christmas?

Christmas QR Code will expire after Christmas if:

1. You have set an expiry date on the Uniqode dashboard for your QR Code 
2. You are on a trial or a paid plan on a QR Code generator, and if it expires, then the QR Code also will expire

Otherwise, static and dynamic QR Codes don’t expire.

4. Can I track the performance of my Christmas QR Codes?

With dynamic QR Codes from Uniqode, you can track detailed performance metrics such as the number of scans, scan locations, devices used, and more. This data helps you understand which campaigns drive the most engagement, and you can adjust your strategy for even better results during the holiday season.

5. How can I customize my Christmas QR Codes for a more festive look?

Uniqode allows you to customize your Christmas QR Codes to match the holiday spirit. You can choose festive colors like red, green, and gold or even upload a custom background image to make your QR Codes visually appealing and increase customer engagement. For more ideas on customizing your QR Code frame and other design elements, check out our QR Code Frame customization guide.

• Author Details

Author Details

Nidhi Singh

Enthusiastic about marketing and improving the ROI of businesses.

nidhi.s@uniqode.com