25 Crazy christmas marketing campaign ideas to drive sales

The holiday season is the perfect chance for businesses to connect with customers and increase sales. With 80% of shoppers looking online for gifts, it's the perfect time to boost your sales.

From boosting brand visibility to winning customer loyalty and increasing conversions, a well-executed Christmas campaign can deliver results that last well beyond December.

Whether you're a small business or a big brand, the holiday season allows you to turn your browsers into buyers and one-time shoppers into lifelong fans.

Let's dive into some of the most innovative 25 Christmas marketing ideas to help you drive sales and spread holiday cheer.

25 creative christmas marketing campaign ideas for 2024  

The holiday season is your golden opportunity to stand out, boost sales, and build stronger relationships with customers.

Here are the crazy holiday marketing ideas to help your business thrive around holidays.

Christmas email marketing ideas  

Did you know? About 68% of holiday shoppers are more likely to notice emails from brands during Christmas.

Let’s explore some of the best holiday email marketing campaigns that drive engagement, boost sales, and spread festive cheer.

1. Create a 12 day Christmas email series 

One of the best ways to build excitement during the Christmas season is through a 12 days of Christmas marketing campaign email series.  

This idea builds excitement by sharing daily festive deals or gift ideas with your subscribers. Each email feels like a mini-present, keeping your audience engaged for nearly two weeks. 

You can create a banner to announce your 12 days of exclusive offers or giveaways to create a sense of FOMO, as shown below: 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Plan your series in advance to ensure variety and consistent branding.
• Use scarcity by offering time-limited deals.
• Add festive designs to match the holiday spirit.
• Offer a special reward on the final day to maintain engagement. 

2. Personalize holiday offers based on customer behavior 

Another email marketing campaign for Christmas ideas to grow business could be targeting personalized offers. You can leverage customer data to tailor your offers to their preferences, making the Christmas shopping experience more relevant and engaging. For example, send offers on products they've viewed or items on their wish list. 

Amazon uses purchase and browsing history to suggest personalized gifts, ensuring every email feels relevant. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Segment your audience by purchase history, interests, or demographics.
• Use dynamic content to tailor emails in real time.
• Include personal touches like “For [Name]” in the subject line.
• Feature exclusive discounts to boost conversions. 

3. Reward loyalty with exclusive VIP deals 

Offer your loyal customers unique perks such as sneak peeks, early access, or holiday gifts to strengthen their connection with your brand. Personalized offers like reward cards create a sense of exclusivity and appreciation. 

Below is one of the best holiday marketing campaign examples showing how Sephora rewards loyalty members with exclusive holiday perks, fostering customer retention.  

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Send a festive “Thank You” email with a VIP-exclusive discount code.
• Promote tiered rewards to encourage loyalty program participation.
• Highlight benefits like free shipping or exclusive items. 

Insightful read: 5 Best customer loyalty program ideas for SaaS businesses to drive sales.

4. Run a Christmas countdown campaign 

Use a series of emails with countdown timers to create excitement for limited-time holiday offers and keep customers engaged until Christmas. 

The below example will help you see how to make your email with the FOMO element: 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

• Promote daily deals with bold visuals.
• Use animated timers in the email to build anticipation.
• Rotate product categories to cater to a variety of shoppers. 

5. Send curated gift guides tailored to customer preferences 

Simplify shopping for your audience with gift guides featuring hand-picked products tailored to their interests or budgets. 

See how Bliss has made the curated gift guide for their users: 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Use data to segment customers into categories (e.g., “For Him,” “For Her”) if you have both as your audience.
• Add links to products directly in the guide for seamless shopping.
• Highlight bestsellers and seasonal items.
• Emphasize discounts or bundles to make your gift guide both practical and enticing. 

Insightful read: 9 Stellar email marketing ideas for 2025.

Best Christmas marketing ideas for social media

Let's learn some of the best holiday social media campaigns to inspire your festive marketing strategy.

6. Launch a holiday user-generated content campaign 

User-generated content (UGC) not only boosts engagement but also builds trust and social proof. Encourage your audience to share their holiday moments using your products, and reward them with prizes or recognition. 

This Starbucks post exemplifies a perfect holiday user-generated content (UGC) campaign. It ties festive vibes with everyday activities, using its iconic packaging to create a shareable and visually appealing moment. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Offer incentives like discounts or shoutouts for the best submissions.
• Use branded hashtags to organize submissions.
• Feature UGC on your social channels to showcase authenticity. 

7. Host a Christmas-themed Instagram contest 

Contests are an effective way to drive engagement and grow your following. Make it holiday-themed to tap into the festive spirit and offer a tempting prize to encourage participation. 

Here is an example of how Body Shop created the buzz and drove business with this idea: 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

• Ask users to share holiday-themed photos or videos featuring your products.
• Promote the contest through Instagram stories, posts, and paid ads.
• Ensure the prize is desirable and relevant to your brand. 

8. Collaborate with influencers for a festive product showcase 

Partner with influencers who align with your brand to create holiday-themed content that features your products. Influencer collaborations can amplify your reach and add authenticity to your campaign. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Choose influencers with an engaged audience.
• Create a unique hashtag to track the campaign.
• Ensure the content feels natural while highlighting your products.  

9. Use Instagram and Facebook stories for exclusive holiday offers 

Use social media stories to showcase exclusive holiday deals, flash sales, and behind-the-scenes moments. About 60% of Instagram users discover products and services on the platform, and 30% make a purchase after finding something they like.

Abercrombie uses Instagram Stories to give followers a sneak peek of exclusive holiday collections and flash sales:

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Add interactive stickers like polls or countdowns.
• Use swipe-up links for easy shopping. 
• Regularly update stories to stay visible. 

10. Go live with holiday product demos 

Live streaming allows brands to connect in real-time with their audience, answer questions, and showcase products in action. Use live demos to highlight the features of your holiday-themed products or show how your products can make the perfect gifts. 

Many eCommerce brands are known for their holiday live shopping events, during which they demonstrate new products, offer exclusive discounts, and answer customer questions in real time. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Announce your live session in advance to build anticipation.
• Host product demos, Q&A sessions, or holiday shopping tips.
• Offer exclusive live-only discounts or early access to promotions during the stream.

Must check: eCommerce email marketing guide - Boost conversions in 2025.

Website marketing campaign ideas  

Let’s explore some of the most effective holiday season marketing campaigns that boost engagement, increase sales, and spread festive cheer.

11. Add festive elements to your website 

Adding festive design elements to your site makes it feel more seasonal and helps create an immersive shopping experience. Simple touches can drive the holiday spirit and enhance brand affinity. 

This landing page example blends festive visuals with actionable CTAs to engage holiday shoppers. It highlights the product's benefits while tying them to the season's themes for a more relevant connection. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Add seasonal touches like snow animations or festive lights.
• Update the color scheme to include festive hues like red, green, and gold.
• Highlight holiday deals with eye-catching banners. 

12. Design a dedicated holiday landing page 

A dedicated holiday landing page helps create a seamless and focused shopping experience for customers, showcasing your best products, promotions, and festive offers in one place. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Use holiday-specific imagery (e.g., Santa hats, festive icons) to create a seasonal vibe. Highlight product benefits that resonate with holiday challenges, such as saving time or boosting productivity.
• Include clear CTAs like "Try for Free" or "Book a Demo" to encourage conversions.
• Keep the design clean yet festive, ensuring the focus remains on your value propositions 

13. Personalize the shopping experience on your website 

Personalization increases customer satisfaction and boosts conversion rates. Use browsing history, past purchases, or location-based offers to create a tailored shopping experience. 

Top brands like Amazon, Nike, Start Bucks, etc., use personalized recommendations based on browsing history and previous purchases, ensuring that each shopper sees relevant products when they visit the site, especially around the holidays. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Use pop-ups to suggest trending gifts.
• Display items based on browsing history.
• Enable a “Saved for Later” option to encourage revisits.
• Implement a “wish list” or “gift registry” feature for easier holiday shopping. 

14. Offer limited-time holiday product bundles 

Bundling products creates a sense of value and urgency. Offering curated holiday bundles encourages customers to buy more while saving them time when selecting gifts. 

Apple offers holiday bundles like discounted AirPods with iPhones during the festive season. 

Bundle complementary products to increase value and make gift-giving easier; see an amazing example below of a brand implementing this idea:

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Promote bundles as “Gift Sets” or “Holiday Essentials.”
• Offer time-sensitive discounts to drive urgency. 
• Use product recommendations to upsell bundles. 

15. Provide free shipping and returns for holiday shoppers 

Free shipping is a powerful incentive for holiday shoppers, and offering free returns ensures that customers feel confident in their purchases, even if it’s a gift. 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

• Highlight this feature prominently on your website.
• Extend return periods to accommodate gift recipients.
• Use messaging like “Shop Worry-Free.” 

Video and content marketing ideas 

Let's explore creative video and content ideas that will make your brand unforgettable this holiday season.

16. Create emotional holiday storytelling videos 

Emotional storytelling connects with your audience on a deeper level. Craft videos that tap into the emotions of the holiday season—family, togetherness, nostalgia—to make your brand more relatable and memorable. 

Dollar Shave Club, known for its witty marketing, nailed it again with this hilarious Christmas ad. 

The brand blends its signature humor with a festive backdrop, showcasing its product in a fun and relatable way. What stands out is their ability to maintain consistent branding while perfectly aligning with the holiday spirit. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Use humor or unexpected visuals to make your campaign stand out while keeping it relatable.
• Incorporate storytelling that reflects common holiday experiences, like gift-giving mishaps or family moments.
• Use visuals and music that evoke emotion.
• End with a strong call to action. 

17. Post product demos in Christmas settings 

Show off your products in a festive holiday context. Demonstrate how your products can enhance the holiday experience, whether it's a gift, decoration, or essential for holiday celebrations. 

Apple often releases product demo videos during the holiday season, showcasing how their devices can help capture family moments, create music playlists, or video call relatives—tailored to the holiday experience. 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

Film product demos in holiday settings (e.g., wrapping gifts and family dinners).

Show how your products solve holiday-specific problems or make celebrations easier.

Include holiday-themed music, decorations, and scenarios for a more immersive experience. 

18. Share behind-the-scenes holiday content 

People love getting a peek behind the curtain. Share content that shows the effort, creativity, and excitement behind your holiday preparations—whether it's behind-the-scenes footage of your team, product-making process, or office holiday decorations. 

Coca-Cola frequently shares behind-the-scenes footage of their holiday ad campaigns, including the iconic "Holiday Truck" and Christmas advertisements. This helps humanize the brand and build a connection with audiences. 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

• Capture moments that show the spirit of the season—decorating your office, packing holiday orders, or preparing for creative holiday campaigns.
• Highlight your team’s involvement in the campaign. 
• Make it fun and engaging by adding humor, sneak peeks, or unexpected surprises.

19. Produce a holiday-themed how-to video series 

A how-to video series can offer value to your audience by teaching them something useful, whether it's holiday recipes, DIY gift-wrapping ideas, or home decorating tips. Position your products as the solution. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Choose topics that tie directly to your brand and resonate with your audience (e.g., "How to Decorate Your Tree" if you're a home decor brand).
• Break the series into bite-sized videos that are easy to follow. 
• Feature your products naturally in the tutorial to subtly promote them. 

20. Run a Christmas-themed customer testimonial video campaign 

Customer testimonials can build trust and credibility, especially when they’re framed within a holiday theme. Encourage your customers to share their own festive experiences with your products. 

Brands in the B2B space create a holiday campaign where satisfied customers share real-life stories, create social proof, and encourage purchases. 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

• Ask loyal customers to share holiday experiences with your products in short video clips.
• Keep the videos authentic and unscripted to feel more genuine.
• Use festive backdrops or settings (like holiday dinners or tree decorating) to make the content feel seasonal. 

Best holiday marketing campaigns for B2B 

Let’s explore some of the most effective B2B holiday marketing campaigns that build relationships, generate leads, and drive year-end growth.

21. Offer holiday-themed corporate gift bundles 

Businesses often look for meaningful gifts to send to their clients and partners during the holidays. Create curated, holiday-themed corporate gift bundles that reflect your brand values and can be customized for different industries. 

Brands often offer customized gift bundles to their business clients during the holiday season, with items like branded office supplies, high-end tech gadgets, and exclusive offers on services. 

Christmas marketing campaign tips:

• Offer packages that can be tailored to different budgets and client types (e.g., small businesses vs. large enterprises).
• Include value-added items that your clients or partners would appreciate (e.g., gift cards, custom notebooks, or special access to your services).
• Highlight the personalization of these bundles in your email and social media campaigns. 

22. Create a “Holiday Countdown” lead generation campaign 

B2B companies can generate leads by using a holiday countdown campaign with valuable content that is delivered over a period of time. 

For instance, LinkedIn offers a variety of lead-generation strategies throughout the holiday season, from educational webinars to personalized offers, to keep their business clients engaged. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Create a series of holiday-themed content or offers for business decision-makers (e.g., downloadable resources and exclusive webinars).
• Offer "early bird" access or exclusive insights to incentivize engagement.
• Use holiday countdowns to generate a sense of urgency and excitement around your offers.

23. Host a virtual holiday networking event 

Virtual events are perfect for engaging a diverse audience of business clients. You can host a holiday networking event, allowing your clients to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss business growth over the past year, all while celebrating the holiday spirit. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Choose a platform (like Zoom or Teams) that is interactive and allows networking and discussions.
• Invite key clients and prospects to share industry insights and celebrate achievements.
• Provide opportunities for learning, such as expert sessions or workshops that tie into holiday business planning. 

24. Collaborate with partners for holiday co-branded content 

Working with a complementary B2B partner to create co-branded content can not only amplify your reach but also bring additional value to your audience. 

During the holiday season, joint campaigns can showcase how your combined products or services help businesses thrive during peak season. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Identify a partner whose services or products complement yours and whose target audience overlaps with yours.
• Develop a content piece that provides value for both audiences—this could be an eBook, webinar, or toolkit focused on overcoming a common holiday challenge.
• Promote the campaign through both brands’ marketing channels (social media, email, blogs) to increase visibility and drive engagement. 

25. Share a Year-in-Review or “Top Clients” recognition video 

Celebrate the success and loyalty of your key clients and partners with a Year-in-Review video or a client recognition campaign. This could be a mix of gratitude and showcasing success stories, and it’s a great way to foster stronger connections. 

Holiday marketing campaign tips:

• Create a short video recognizing key clients or partners.
• Include quotes, stats, and key milestones that showcase your clients’ success stories.
• Share it across email, social media, and your website as a part of your holiday messaging. 

Also read: 21 Brilliant email marketing examples to elevate your campaigns.

Tips for a budget-friendly and successful holiday marketing campaigns

Make your holiday marketing efforts impactful with creative ideas and tips that maximize results without overspending. 

From planning early to leveraging data-driven insights, here are tips to help you execute an effective Christmas marketing campaign without overspending.

1. Start planning early and set goals 

Don't wait for December to begin planning; instead, start 2-3 months early to give yourself time to strategize

Early preparation allows you to align your resources, plan content, and set measurable goals like boosting holiday sales or increasing customer engagement.

2. Create a marketing calendar 

Creating a marketing calendar helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t miss key opportunities. 

Schedule content, promotions, and campaign deadlines. It keeps you on track without scrambling for ideas in the middle of the season. You can use tools like Google Calendar or Trello to map out your Christmas marketing ideas and keep track of important dates.

3. Segment your audience 

One-size-fits-all messaging doesn’t work during the holidays. Segment your audience based on their behaviors, interests, or demographics. Tailored campaigns make customers feel understood and lead to higher engagement and conversions.

Use your CRM (Customer Relationship Management)software to group customers into lists like “Frequent Shoppers” or “First-Time Buyers” and craft personalized offers for each segment. 

4. Repurpose content creatively 

Repurpose existing content to save time and resources. For example, a popular blog post can be turned into a holiday-themed infographic or past social media posts can be refreshed with a festive touch.

Evaluate your existing resources, identify your top-performing content from the past year, and give it a holiday twist. For example, update product-focused articles with gift-giving ideas.

Insightful read: AI marketing - Transforming customer engagement and ROI.

5. Leverage free tools and DIY campaigns 

You don't need a big budget to run effective campaigns. Use free tools for social media scheduling, email templates, or analytics. For instance, Canva can be used to create eye-catching social media posts without a design team. 

You can also create DIY holiday giving campaigns like giveaways or contests that don’t require a large spend. 

6. Partner for co-branded content 

Collaboration can amplify your reach and cut costs. Partner with complementary brands to create joint campaigns that add value to both audiences. For example, a home decor store might team up with a candle brand to offer bundled gift sets.

7. Leverage user-generated content 

Your customers can become your best marketers. Encourage them to share holiday moments featuring your products on social media. UGC builds trust and authenticity, making your brand more relatable during the festive season.

8. Measure campaign performance 

It's not enough to launch a campaign; you need to track its performance. Monitor metrics like click-through rates, conversions, and ROI to understand what's working and what needs adjustment.

Say, if you are running holiday email campaigns, track key metrics and KPIs( Key Performance Indicators) to ensure your holiday marketing strategy brings the best results.

Insightful: Marketing metrics that every marketer should track.

Conclusion 

A successful holiday marketing campaign combines creativity, personalization, and data-driven strategies. By planning ahead, repurposing content, and tracking performance, you can maximize your impact while staying within budget.

Want to create personalized holiday campaigns that convert? Try Salesmate CRM to streamline your process and boost engagement.