The holidays are the busiest shopping season of the year but they’re also the most competitive. Shoppers are moving quickly, scanning storefronts in seconds, and choosing where to stop based on what catches their eye.
This is exactly why your holiday print displays matter.
With the right visuals, colors, and placements, you can pull people off the sidewalk, guide them through your store, and influence what they pick up.
Print displays are affordable, fast to set up, and incredibly effective for retail, cafés, restaurants, salons, markets, studios, and holiday pop-ups. Whether you’re promoting gifts, seasonal menus, limited-time offers, or festive experiences, your prints become your biggest silent salesperson.
In this guide, we’ll break down the psychology behind visual merchandising, the top print pieces that increase foot traffic, placement ideas, and real examples for different industries. For more advanced tactics, you can also explore Retail Marketing That Pops and Flyers That Sell after this article.
The Psychology Behind Visual Merchandising
Before jumping into print formats, it helps to understand why certain displays draw people in. During the holidays, shoppers are overloaded with stimuli — lights, music, crowds, and endless promotions. Your print materials need to cut through that noise.
Here’s how holiday displays influence behavior:
1. Color signals holiday value
Traditional holiday colors (reds, greens, golds, silvers) trigger emotional associations with celebration, gifting, and warmth. Neutral holiday palettes — like beige, navy, forest green, or champagne — signal elegance and luxury. When used in print, these colors create an immediate seasonal anchor.
2. Clear signage reduces decision fatigue
People shop faster when they understand where to go and what’s on sale. Posters, table tents, and rack cards simplify information and guide movement.
3. Visual cues trigger impulse buys
Small items near checkout, limited-time signs, tags, and display cards remind shoppers to grab last-minute gifts or add-ons.
4. Consistent branding builds trust
Matching your holiday prints (color palette, fonts, icons) across posters, menus, and tags makes your store look organized and professional — which increases the likelihood that shoppers will step in.
Print displays work because they tell the brain:
“This place has something worth checking out.”
Top Print Pieces That Drive In-Store Visits
Holiday displays don’t need to be complicated or expensive. A few strategic print items can completely transform your visual merchandising and spark curiosity from people passing by.
Below are the most effective formats:
1. Posters (Your #1 Foot Traffic Driver)
Posters are your storefront’s voice. They communicate from a distance, set expectations, and attract shoppers long before they reach your door.
Best uses for holiday posters:
- Gift guides (“Top 5 Stocking Stuffers Under $20”)
- Seasonal menus
- “Holiday Sale Starts Today” signage
- New arrival announcements
- Limited-time services (gift wrapping, holiday bundles, cocoa bar, tasting flights)
Large-format posters act as visual anchors, making your storefront look lively and inviting.
Product link: Posters
2. Rack Cards (Perfect for Point-of-Sale & Seasonal Campaigns)
Rack cards are small but powerful. They stay on counters, next to displays, inside bags, and near checkout — places where shoppers make quick decisions.
Holiday uses include:
- Mini gift guides
- Holiday service menus
- Sample descriptions (bakeries, gift baskets, beauty kits)
- Class schedules (yoga, craft workshops, kids’ holiday sessions)
- Coupons for January
Rack cards are also great for holiday markets, winter festivals, and pop-ups — covered in detail in Rack Cards for Festivals.
Product link: Rack Cards
3. Table Tents (Ideal for cafés, restaurants & salons)
Table tents work beautifully on counters, tables, bars, pickup areas, and waiting zones. During the holidays, people pause more — they wait in line, browse slowly, and read whatever catches their eye.
Holiday table tent ideas:
- Seasonal specials
- Festive drinks or desserts
- Holiday bundles
- Gift card promotions
- “Limited Edition – Only for December” products
- Reservations or catering reminders
4. Coasters (Small but unforgettable)
Coasters are one of the most underrated print display tools. They sit directly in front of customers for minutes at a time — something almost no other print format can do.
Use coasters for:
- Promo codes
- Holiday drinks & mocktails
- Event announcements
- QR menus
- Gift card callouts
Coasters are especially effective for breweries, cafés, restaurants, and tasting rooms.
Product link: Coasters
Placement Tips for Maximum Visibility
Even the best print pieces won’t work if they’re placed incorrectly. During the holidays, foot traffic behaves differently, shoppers walk faster, carry more bags, and notice displays at specific angles and levels.
Here’s how to place your prints so they actually get seen:
1. Posters: Put them at eye level and facing foot traffic
Your primary poster should face the direction most pedestrians come from. Place secondary posters near windows, entry points, and promo tables.
2. Rack Cards: Keep them where decisions are made
Best spots include:
- Checkout
- Next to gift sets
- On display tables
- Inside shopping bags
- At sampling stations
3. Table Tents: Use high-dwell-time locations
Anywhere customers wait:
- Café tables
- Pickup counters
- Salon stations
- Restaurant bars
- Waiting rooms
The longer someone sits, the more likely they’ll read your table tent.
4. Coasters: Pair with a holiday drink or product
Place coasters where customers naturally set down drinks or pause to interact, bars, tasting sessions, sample counters.
5. Keep messaging short
Holiday displays work best with:
- Big type
- Short phrases
- Clear offers
- Seasonal colors
This reduces decision fatigue and drives action.
Examples by Industry
Holiday print displays look different across retail, food service, and service-based businesses. Here are industry-specific examples that are easy to apply to your storefront.
Retail Boutiques
Use:
- Large posters in windows
- Rack cards near holiday gift sets
- Table tents near cash wrap (“Free Gift Wrapping!”)
Promote:
- Stocking stuffers
- Limited-edition items
- Gift guides by price
Cafés & Restaurants
Use:
- Table tents featuring seasonal drink menus
- Coasters promoting holiday pairings
- Posters for catering or holiday brunch
Promote:
- Hot chocolate flights
- Winter specials
- Gift cards
Beauty & Wellness Studios
Use:
- Rack cards for holiday specials and packages
- Posters for limited-time add-ons
- Table tents at stations
Promote:
- Gift card promos
- Spa bundles
- New client specials
Holiday Markets & Pop-Ups
Use:
- Posters at booth edges
- Rack cards for take-home offers
- Coasters or small cards for QR codes
Promote:
- Discounts
- Handmade collections
- Next pop-up location
Print your holiday display materials now.
