Every year, as soon as the leaves drop and the holiday lights go up, most real estate agents go quiet. They assume their pipeline is frozen until spring.
But not us.
At Acree Brothers Realty, the holidays are one of our most productive seasons. We’ll close over 250 transactions this year, and a huge part of that is because we stay visible and valuable when everyone else is dialing it down.
Here are three things we do every holiday season that consistently drive referrals, and they’re all simple, impactful, and wildly effective.
1. Host a client event that brings the magic
Forget the generic open houses and dull mixers. We go big and joyful.
Every year, our team rents out the local ice-skating rink and invites our past clients, sphere, and their families. It’s fun. It’s festive. And it’s unforgettable.
Why does it work? Because it creates real human connection. People aren’t showing up to hear a pitch. They’re showing up to make memories—with us at the center.
And here’s the best part: it doesn’t have to break the bank. We rent the rink for a few hours for just $600, then serve pizza, desserts, and drinks. We also bring in our partners, lenders, title reps, and insurance pros to help sponsor the event. They get visibility, we reduce our costs, and everyone wins. When people feel good with you, they talk about you.
Pro Tip: Pick a venue or activity that feels nostalgic and family-friendly. Bonus if it’s photogenic (this is perfect for organic social media buzz).
2. Send a magazine, not a card
Everyone sends a holiday card or email in December, and that’s fine. But if you want to stand out, you need to do something different. You have to wow your clients.
That’s where the magazine comes in.
Our clients get a beautiful, professionally printed magazine filled with lifestyle tips, seasonal recipes, and real estate content that they actually find useful. It’s unexpected. It’s thoughtful. And it’s packed with real value for them.
It’s not just marketing; it’s something they’ll want to keep. In fact, it lives in the home for 4–6 weeks and consistently drives a 31% referral rate.
If you want your brand to stand out, deliver something that’s not just branded but truly valuable.
Get Your Free Branded Magazine Sample
3. Make the call that no one else is making
This might be the simplest strategy, and it’s also the most powerful: Pick up the phone and call your clients. Not to sell. Not to ask for referrals. Just to check in, say thank you, and wish them a happy holiday.
Human-to-human connection is the competitive advantage in a digital world. And this time of year? It hits even harder. It’s the same reason our skating event works: people remember how you made them feel. A 60-second call can go further than a year’s worth of drip campaigns.
Don’t overthink the script. Just be real, be warm, and be first.
Don’t wait for Spring. Plant the seeds now.
The agents who win in Q1 are the ones who stay active in Q4. Referrals don’t fall from the sky; they grow from relationships you nurture now.
So whether it’s renting an ice rink, sending a killer magazine, or just picking up the phone, do something this season that puts your name top of mind.
Want more strategies like this? Dive into my previous post with 12 unexpected holiday marketing ideas right here.
