How to Create a Seasonal Automatic Greeting on WhatsApp and Instagram

To create a seasonal automatic greeting on WhatsApp and Instagram, use the Flows module of Papo with a date condition. Set up a flow that checks if the current date is within a holiday period and, if true, triggers a themed welcome message for new contacts or those who start a conversation.

With this automation, your team doesn't need to manually write “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year” for each customer who arrives. The Flow takes action at the right moment, adapting the greeting according to the holiday, without repetitive effort.

Seasonal Greeting Configuration Summary

Component	Role in automation	Example of use
Flow	Contains the visual sequence with date condition and send action.	Flow “Year-end greeting”.
Date condition	Checks if the current date matches a specific holiday period.	If today is between 12/20 and 01/05, trigger Christmas/New Year message.
“Send Message” action	Sends the themed greeting through the chosen channel (WhatsApp or Instagram).	Text with “Merry Christmas, {{contact.first_name}}!”.
Synapse	Automatically enrolls new contacts or conversations in the Flow.	When new conversation on WhatsApp or Instagram → enroll in seasonal Flow.

How seasonal automatic greeting works

The logic combines two elements already available in Papo: a Flow with a condition that evaluates the current date and Synapse to automatically enroll contacts. So when someone starts a conversation on WhatsApp or Instagram, the system checks if the date is within the defined range — for example, from December 20 to January 5. If so, it sends a welcome message with a Christmas or New Year theme. Outside this period, the flow can follow the default path, without a special message.

Unlike a birthday automation, which focuses on individual dates of each contact, the seasonal greeting depends only on the calendar date. This makes configuration simpler and the reach broader: all contacts who arrive during that interval receive the themed message.

Step-by-step to create the seasonal Flow

Create a new Flow
In the Papo side menu, go to Flows / Chatbot. Add a new Flow and name it clearly, such as “Seasonal Christmas and New Year Greeting”.
Add the start trigger
The Flow starts with the initial node (“Start”). This node will be triggered when a contact is enrolled, either manually or via Synapse.
Configure the date condition
After the Start, insert a Condition node. Choose a rule that compares the current date with a specific period. For example: “if today's date is greater than or equal to 12/20 and less than or equal to 01/05”. Papo allows you to configure this type of check visually, without writing code.
Build the themed message
In the “Yes” branch of the condition, add the Send Message action. Write the text you want to trigger, using variables like {{contact.first_name}}. Example:

Merry Christmas, {{contact.first_name}}! 🎄 May your year-end be amazing. Enjoy our special December offers.

You can create a single message for the period or different versions per holiday.
Define the default path (optional)
In the “No” branch of the condition, you can do nothing (the flow ends without sending a message) or insert a default greeting, such as “Hello! How can we help?”.
Activate the Flow
Save the changes and change the status to Active. The flow will only be processed when active.
Set up automatic enrollment with Synapse
Go to the Synapse module and create a new automation. Set the trigger: “When a new conversation is started” (selecting the WhatsApp or Instagram inbox). Choose the action: “Enroll contact in Flow” and select the Flow “Seasonal Christmas and New Year Greeting”. Thus, every contact who starts a conversation during the holiday period will receive the greeting automatically.

Who this automation is for

E-commerces and retail stores that want to take advantage of dates like Christmas, Black Friday, Mother's Day, and others to engage those who arrive on the channel.
Service providers who want to show closeness and care for the customer right from the first contact.
Marketing and sales teams seeking to standardize themed communication without overloading agents.
Businesses that serve on multiple channels and want a consistent greeting on WhatsApp and Instagram.

Frequently asked questions

Can I create greetings for multiple holidays in the same Flow?

Yes. You can add multiple date conditions in sequence, each pointing to a different themed message. For example, one condition for Christmas and another for Easter, with specific texts in each branch.

Does it work for Instagram too?

Yes, as long as your Instagram inbox is connected to Papo. Synapse can trigger the same Flow for conversations coming from Instagram, using the same date condition.

Do I need an approved template (HSM) to send this greeting?

Not necessarily, if the message is sent as a reply within the 24-hour window after the contact starts the conversation. Since the seasonal greeting is usually triggered right when the lead arrives, it qualifies as service. If you want to send proactive messages outside this window, use an approved template.

Can I include an image or video in the greeting?

Yes. The send message action in Papo allows you to attach media, such as a themed Christmas image or a short welcome video.

How do I adjust the dates each year?

Simply edit the condition node in the Flow and change the date range. Since the configuration is visual, the update takes only a few minutes.