Embracing an subtractive additive promotion strategy for impact that transcends the season.

The holiday season doesn't have to feel like a race to the bottom—of your prices or your values.

While the eCommerce world spins into a discount frenzy, a deeper, more long-term opportunity for genuine connection, meaningful storytelling, and community takes shape, transcending seasonality.

So instead of asking "how low can you go?" let's explore: “how deeply can you resonate?”
Here are three ways to reframe a subtractive promotion strategy into an additive promotion strategy this holiday season:

1. Preserve your margins with mindful minimums

Create purchase minimum thresholds that reward deeper commitment while protecting your margins.

I.e., “Invest $75 in your wellness journey and receive our signature ritual kit.”

Develop tiered value offerings:
Invest $40: Get $10 + sample set
Invest $75: Get $20 + full-size bonus
Invest $100: Get $30 + exclusive workshop access

With our clients, we avoid using terminology like “discount” so as not to diminish brand value perception.

2. Preserve Brand Value with Long-Game Nurturing

Instead of rushing subscribers through a 4–5 email welcome sequence destined for discount, checkout, and unsubscribe, invest in 8–10 thoughtfully crafted campaigns that cultivate deeper relationships, preserve brand equity, and prime lifetime value—personalized according to distinct decision-making archetypes:

The Educational Steward: Plant seeds of educational content that communicates value—illuminate, don’t persuade.
The Confidence Cultivator: Build trust with social proof that speaks directly to their hesitations. Use stories and subtle reassurance to ease decision fatigue.
The Research Warrior: Offer transparent comparisons, impact calculators, or transformation breakdowns to show the why behind your approach.
The Long-Term Nurturer: Design evergreen sequences that stay relevant year-round. Anchor touch points to life transitions or seasonal shifts to feel supportive—not sales-y.

3. Create new Abundance Through Strategic Collaboration

Collaborations don’t just sell—they amplify brand equity and unlock customer experiences that can’t be replicated. The strongest holiday campaigns are built in partnership—for reach, resonance, and real impact.

Bundle complementary products to offer more-than-the-sum value. EX: Self-Care Holiday Bundle—your organic skincare + their ethically sourced tea = a gift with soul.
Co-create limited-edition offerings that blend both missions: think custom scents, ritual kits, or exclusive virtual workshops.
Include a surprise partner gift with the first [50] orders to spark delight and drive action—urgency, without the pressure.
Give back together: donate a portion of sales to a shared cause, or match customer donations with a gift card: “Give $10 to [Cause], get $10 to spend at [Brand].”

Craft story-rich gift guides in collaboration with aligned brands and community leaders to amplify reach and reflect shared values.

The best holiday campaigns don’t push—they inspire, connect, and co-create abundance.

At Bluum, we craft values-driven holiday strategies that convert without compromising. From anti-BFCM concepts to nurture sequences that build brand stewards, we’ll support your growth, regeneratively, this season and beyond.

If you’ve made it this far, there’s a good chance we’re a great fit. Right now, we have just two openings left for Q4 Automated Flows and two for Monthly Campaign Management for your strongest holiday yet.

Reach Out Now To Book For Holiday

P.S. Looking for expert, end-to-end holiday email support—without the long-term commitment?

Our custom Holiday Packages feature up to 12 thoughtfully crafted campaigns. Limited availability—reserve by October 31st.