Many in the hospitality industry have pointed to what it’s called the ‘perfect storm’ that has combined a host of events, and one of the warmest summers on record, to offer a much-needed shot in the arm for the industry.

Temperatures soaring to record levels in most parts of the country had people flocking to beer gardens and outdoor events in their droves, while mass attendance events like the Oasis reunion tour generated much-welcomed queues at the bar. UK Hospitality reported that, from the opening gig alone, Cardiff’s pubs and bars enjoyed a massive 56% uplift in sales on the night of the first Oasis gig.

The Women’s Euros became a hit as a traditionally male-dominated demographic swarmed to their locals in the latter stages of the event to cheer the Lionesses to Euros glory in Switzerland. A report suggested some £70m would have been spent in pubs across England for the final alone, with many landlords taking advantage of the special late licences being granted for that nail-biting Sunday night game.

Despite that, the industry remains challenging, and the British Beer and Pub Association predicts more than one pub a day will be forced to close its doors in 2025, predicting more than 370 pub closures by the end of the year. So with the sun setting on a bumper summer, pubs and bars will now be looking towards a boost in what is traditionally a make or break time for them in the run up to Christmas.

From festive menus to party promotions, it’s a time when presentation matters more than ever. But with staff stretched and bookings piling up, finding quick, reliable, and creative print solutions as a way of keeping punters’ eyes on promotions, specials and upsells has become paramount.

Emma Thompson, Marketing Director at WTTB.co.uk, has been looking at some smart Christmas print hacks for hospitality venues that need to rely on their own enterprise and ingenuity to generate revenue over the Christmas period. She says the secret lies in easy-to-use design platforms like Canva, who have spotted the rise in its popularity among the hospitality industry and are creating more and more pub, bar and restaurant-friendly templates.

Be smart with menus

She says: “The most obvious start point for printed materials is your menu appearance. These aren’t just functional - they’re one of the first touchpoints guests interact with. If you’re reliant on creating your own designs, think about tools like Canva, where operators can choose from hundreds of Christmas-themed menu templates and customise them with their branding, your own seasonal dishes, and drinks specials.”

Such is the popularity of the tool in the hospitality industry, WTTB.co.uk has created its own guide to printing on Canva on its site. Emma adds: “You can create high-quality menus in a range of formats dependent on the style of your venue, from sleek single sheets for easy updates to folded menus for special set dinners. Laminated or wipe-clean finishes, especially during the Christmas rush are durable, stand up well to high volumes of use and can be a Christmas cost saving.”

Table talkers that do the talking

Emma says: “Festive cocktails, desserts, or special promotions neatly displayed on table tops and on the bar keep your patrons engaged. Again, check out the pre-designed Canva templates that make them very easy to produce, and give professional-looking results.

“Hospitality teams can create table talkers in minutes, drop in their branding and special offers, and get them printed in small or bulk batches depending on demand. They’re a brilliant way to boost average spend per head during the festive season.”

Hook them while they’re captive with QR codes

While bookings will have started weeks ago, some will still be thinking about where to host their office Christmas lunch or post work drinks bash.

Digital menus surged in popularity during the pandemic, and they remain a handy hack for busy bars and clubs. Think about printing QR codes onto coasters, flyers or posters and make it simple for guests to scan and access drinks lists or Christmas party packages. “QR codes are a low-cost, high-impact solution,” Thompson says. “They save time for staff and give guests instant access to updated offers. Perfect for those who’ve been tasked with organising their workplace festivities.”

Be savvy with signage

From welcome signs to wayfinding boards, the right collateral helps guide guests and creates a festive atmosphere. Canva’s drag-and-drop system means venues don’t need a designer to create standout visuals. By knowing how to print on Canva with WTTB, operators can ensure their signage is delivered quickly and at professional quality.

Think fast…act faster!

Emma says: “The reality of Christmas in hospitality is that we all know the best laid plans can - and will - change. New dishes or ambitious promotions are either a hit and sell out overnight, or are a flop and you need to think of something new. Develop a relationship with your printer that offers same-day or overnight dispatch. Having a great rapport with them could see your job fast-tracked when the pressure’s on.

“We know hospitality can’t afford to wait,, so we’ve developed these Canva integrations to make it simple for businesses to upload designs and order print at speed – even at the last minute.”

She concludes: “Christmas is high-pressure, but it’s also high-reward. Smart, simple print hacks can make the difference between a good season and a great one.”