The holiday season is a time of high spirits, and for businesses, it’s a golden opportunity to connect with customers through well-timed and thoughtfully crafted email marketing. Whether it’s to promote festive discounts, showcase holiday-themed products, or simply spread a little joy, email remains one of the most effective ways to reach your audience during this peak shopping season.
Here’s how to make your holiday email marketing strategy stand out, delighting customers and driving engagement and sales.
Set Up a Festive Content Calendar
A good holiday campaign is all about planning. Start by mapping out your key dates, such as Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year then decide what kind of content you’ll need for each. Consider building a series of emails to take subscribers through the season:
• Teaser Emails: Build excitement for upcoming sales.
• Exclusive Early Access: Reward loyal customers with early access to discounts.
• Last-Minute Deals: Capture last-minute shoppers with reminders and extended offers.
• Thank You & New Year Wishes: Send appreciation emails after the holidays to keep customers engaged.
By creating a calendar in advance, you ensure that your messages reach your audience at just the right moments.
Make It Personal with Festive Touches
Adding a holiday twist to your emails can make them feel extra special. Use festive imagery, winter colours, and seasonal greetings to get your subscribers in the spirit.
Personalisation can also be taken to the next level for the holidays—consider using dynamic content to add the recipient’s name, recommend gift items based on past purchases, or highlight seasonal items that fit their preferences.
Don’t forget to add a touch of warmth and cheer to your messaging. Holiday emails are not just about promoting products; they’re also an opportunity to build goodwill and connect on an emotional level. Phrases like “Wishing you a warm and wonderful season” can make your emails feel thoughtful and memorable.
Create Gift Guides and Bundles
Gift guides are incredibly effective during the holiday season, especially for customers who are looking for gift inspiration. Curate gift guides based on customer segments (e.g., “Gifts for Him,” “Gifts for Her,” “Stocking Stuffers”), or organise by price range.
Bundle promotions are another great strategy. Grouping related products into gift sets offers customers an easy, “grab-and-go” purchase option while giving you a chance to increase the average order value. To make these guides more effective, include clear calls to action (CTAs) and product links to simplify the shopping journey.
Offer Time-Sensitive Discounts and Free Shipping
Holiday shoppers are often in search of the best deals, so adding time-sensitive offers can create a sense of urgency. Phrases like “12 Days of Deals” or “Last Day to Order for Christmas Delivery” can encourage customers to act quickly.
68% of millennials will make a purchase to not be left behind by their peers. Limited time offers play on FOMO (fear of missing out) and help create excitement for your brand.
Offering free shipping is another powerful incentive. Many shoppers abandon their carts when they see shipping fees, so consider offering free shipping on orders over a certain amount, or simply for the holiday period. If possible, highlight shipping cut-off dates to add a layer of urgency while managing expectations on delivery times.
Make Your Subject Lines Shine
Your email subject line is the gateway to your content, so make it count. Holiday subject lines should be festive, catchy, and action oriented. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
• “Ho Ho Hold On to These Deals!”
• “Last Chance for Holiday Savings – Don’t Miss Out!”
• “Warm Wishes and Hot Deals Inside 🔥”
• “🎁 Perfect Gifts Await – Shop Our Holiday Guide!”
Adding emojis can add a festive touch, but don’t overdo it. Keep subject lines short (ideally 6–10 words) so they display well on mobile devices.
Incorporate Interactive Elements
Add some interactive holiday spirit to your emails! Using elements like countdown timers, scratch-off offers, or clickable gift guides can make your emails feel more engaging and fun. Interactive content doesn’t just catch the eye—it can also improve click-through rates as customers engage with your emails in unique ways.
Don’t Forget Mobile Optimisation
With most consumers checking emails on their phones, it’s essential that your holiday emails are mobile-optimised. Make sure that your images, buttons, and text display properly on smaller screens and that your CTAs are easy to tap. Check email previews across different devices to ensure that your holiday emails look great everywhere.
Analyse and Adjust for Maximum Impact
As your campaign runs, track your email metrics to see what resonates most with your audience. Open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates are essential for evaluating performance. If a certain type of email or subject line performs particularly well, consider adjusting your strategy to send more of what your audience loves.
After the holiday season, a thorough analysis will help you understand which tactics worked best. This insight will be invaluable for refining future campaigns.
Wrapping It Up: Let CDA’s Elves Handle It!
Creating a standout holiday email marketing campaign can feel like a big task, but with the right strategy, it’s a fantastic way to connect with customers, spread holiday cheer, and boost sales. And if you’d like some help decking the halls of your email campaigns, our team at CDA is here to assist. Our expert elves are ready to bring their creativity and expertise to your holiday marketing, making sure you’re set for a season of success.
Ready to make this holiday season one to remember? Get in touch with us at CDA, and let’s create a campaign that sleighs!
