Holiday Grooming Package Ideas That Raise Ticket Size
A holiday grooming package is a pre-priced bundle that pairs your standard groom with seasonal add-ons — a blueberry facial, paw balm, teeth brushing, a bandana or bow, and a holiday photo — sold at a single price that is slightly below the add-ons bought separately. Done well, it raises average ticket size by 20–40% during November and December, because owners already expect to spend more on their pets before family visits, and a clear bundle makes the bigger purchase an easy yes. The key is to build packages around your existing groom price, not to discount it.
Why do holiday grooming packages raise ticket size?
Holiday demand is the one time of year most salons are fully booked without trying. That means your growth lever isn't more appointments — it's more revenue per appointment. Packages work because they:
- Remove decision fatigue. Owners choose between three named options instead of evaluating six separate add-ons at the front desk.
- Anchor value. Showing the "bought separately" total next to the package price makes the bundle feel like a deal even at a 10% saving.
- Use idle chair time. A facial or nail grind adds 5–10 minutes, which fits inside drying or kennel time you already have.
- Create a gift product. Holiday packages sell as gift cards to family members who don't know what else to buy for the dog.
What should a holiday grooming package include?
Pick add-ons that are high-margin, fast, and visible to the owner at pickup. Product cost for most of these is under $2 per pet.
Low-effort, high-margin add-ons
- Blueberry or seasonal-scent facial
- Paw pad balm and nail grind (dogs walk on salted winter sidewalks)
- Teeth brushing with enzymatic paste
- Holiday cologne spritz
- Bandana, bow, or festive collar charm
Experience add-ons that justify a premium tier
- A photo in front of a simple holiday backdrop, texted to the owner
- De-shed treatment or conditioning mask
- A take-home treat or small retail item (shampoo sample, chew)
How much should you charge for a holiday grooming package?
Start from your regular full-groom price by size, then build three tiers. A good-better-best structure consistently pushes most buyers to the middle option. Here is a sample for a medium dog with a $75 base groom:
| Tier | What's included | Separate value | Package price | Ticket lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jingle (Good) | Full groom + bandana + cologne | $85 | $82 | +9% |
| Merry (Better) | Full groom + facial + paw balm + nail grind + bandana | $105 | $95 | +27% |
| Deluxe (Best) | Merry + teeth brushing + de-shed + holiday photo + treat | $135 | $118 | +57% |
Rules of thumb for pricing:
- Never discount the groom itself. The saving should come out of the add-ons, so your base price stays intact for January.
- Keep the saving to 8–15%. Bigger discounts train customers to wait for promotions.
- Scale by size. Add $10–$25 per tier for large and giant breeds, matching your normal size surcharges.
- Price the top tier to make the middle look smart. Many salons find 50–60% of package buyers pick the middle tier.
The goal of a holiday package isn't a cheaper groom — it's a bigger, easier yes to the groom your client was already booking.
How do you set up holiday grooming packages in your booking system?
Packages only raise ticket size if they're bookable everywhere a client books — online, by phone, and at the counter. A practical setup checklist:
- Create each tier as its own service with the correct duration, so your calendar blocks enough time. A Deluxe package may need 15–20 extra minutes.
- Show packages first in online booking from November 1 through December 31, with the standard groom still available.
- Attach inventory items (bandanas, treats, balm) to the service so stock depletes automatically and you know when to reorder.
- Require a deposit for peak dates. A $20–$25 deposit on the two weeks before Christmas cuts no-shows when every slot counts.
- Sell gift cards denominated at package prices, not round numbers, so the gift maps to a specific experience.
- Track ticket size weekly by comparing average sale per groom to the same weeks last year.
An all-in-one platform makes this much simpler. With Franpos, packages, online booking, deposits, gift cards, retail inventory, and payments live in one system, so a package booked online is priced, paid, and reported the same way as one sold at the desk. See how it works for salons on our grooming solutions page.
When and how should you promote holiday grooming specials?
Holiday slots fill early, so timing matters more than discount size.
- Early October: Announce packages to existing clients by email and text. Loyal clients get first pick of December dates.
- Late October: Post package photos on social media and update your website and booking page.
- At every checkout in November: Have staff pre-book the client's holiday appointment as a package. Pre-booking at the counter is the single highest-converting channel.
- Black Friday to mid-December: Push gift cards for the Deluxe tier.
- Last week of December: Offer a "New Year fresh start" version to fill any late cancellations.
Segment your messages: clients who already buy add-ons should see the Deluxe tier first; budget-conscious clients should see Jingle. Marketing tools that filter by visit history and spend make this targeting automatic.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Too many tiers. More than three options slows the decision and lowers conversion.
- Underestimating time. If packages run long, you lose a groom slot and the extra revenue disappears.
- Running out of props. Order bandanas and balm in September; holiday supply runs tight.
- No staff incentive. A small per-package spiff ($2–$5) or commission on add-ons keeps groomers and front-desk staff selling.
- Forgetting January. Use the holiday visit to pre-book a winter maintenance groom so the lift carries into a slow month.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a holiday grooming package increase revenue?
Most salons see a 20–40% increase in average ticket among package buyers. With roughly half of December clients choosing a package, overall December revenue per groom typically rises 10–20%.
Should holiday grooming packages be discounted?
Only slightly. Price the bundle 8–15% below the separate add-on total, and keep your base groom at full price so the discount doesn't carry into the new year.
Can mobile groomers offer holiday packages?
Yes. Mobile groomers should favor quick add-ons — facials, paw balm, bandanas — since van time is the tightest constraint. Charge a slightly higher package premium to reflect the convenience.
Should cats have their own holiday package?
Yes, keep it simpler: a bath or sanitary trim, nail trim, and a collar charm. Skip scented products and long photo sessions, which stress many cats.
Do holiday packages work as gift cards?
Very well. Sell gift cards at exact package prices so the recipient books a specific experience, and you collect the cash before the appointment.
Ready to launch your holiday packages with online booking, deposits, and gift cards in one place? Book a Franpos demo or see pricing for grooming salons.
