Christmas is approaching and it is an excellent time to be creative and also embrace the seasonal festivities in your marketing activities.

Why not offer a Christmas Hamper as a prize for your visitors to your shop, website or premises in return for their name and email address.

If you are looking for a quality hamper we think this one from Amazon represents excellent value. Also have a look at the ones we have highlighted below and there is even an organic one if you want to be posh.

Makes sure if you are doing this from your premises you have the actual Hamper on display so as to make a visual impact whether that is in reception or in your shop. If you are putting it on your website for visitors make sure you have a picture with a simple 2 box display to leave their name and address (like the one of the left of this page).

The idea here is to be offering something of value that is fun and in keeping with the time of year. You could call it spreading some festive cheer. It is not going to break the bank and in return you are going to be making an 'emotional deposit' in your customers 'bank'.

If you run this marketing activity for prospects or visitors to your website it is way of offering them something in return for their name and email address. Always make sure that you state you will never distribute, sell or pass on their details and keep to it.

Once you have these names and email addresses you can carefully use them in your email marketing campaigns.