It’s December 9th, and if you’re only just thinking about your Christmas marketing, you’re already behind the curve. While it might feel festive to dive into holiday planning now, the reality is that starting your Christmas campaigns this late could leave your brand struggling to compete. December is for execution—not creation. If you want your holiday marketing to shine, the time to start planning and creating your content was months ago.
Here’s why starting early is essential and how you can set yourself up for success in the future.
August-September: The Planning and Preparation Phase
Christmas in August might sound odd, but this is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for your campaigns. Think of it as your “pre-season training.” During this phase:
Research is king. Dive into the latest holiday trends, analyze your competitors, and understand what your audience is searching for. For example, are sustainable gifts trending this year?
Strategy takes shape. Define your goals and themes for the season. Will you focus on budget-friendly gifting or luxury indulgence?
Content creation begins. From Instagram Reels to email templates, start producing assets now to avoid the last-minute rush. High-quality visuals and videos take time to perfect.
Collaborate early. If you’re working with influencers, book them now. Popular creators often fill their schedules months in advance.
Planning early ensures you can fine-tune your campaigns without the stress of looming deadlines.
October: Building Anticipation
By October, many shoppers are already planning their gift lists and looking for ideas. This is the month to tease your audience and build anticipation.
Tease your campaigns. Use social media to hint at what’s coming—whether it’s sneak peeks of new products, behind-the-scenes content, or countdowns to your big launch.
Tap into early birds. Offer early promotions or exclusive deals for organized shoppers who like to get ahead of the game.
Engage your audience. Create interactive content, like polls or contests. For example, a “Vote for Our Festive Jumper Design” competition can drive engagement while giving your audience a sense of involvement.
Boost your SEO. Publish blog posts with holiday-related keywords to attract early search traffic. Titles like “Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Foodies” or “How to Create the Perfect Christmas Table” can position your brand as a go-to source for festive inspiration.
November: Time to Launch
November marks the official start of the holiday shopping frenzy, thanks to key events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. By now, your campaigns should be ready to roll out.
Go live. Launch your adverts across all platforms, ensuring your messaging is consistent and tailored to your audience.
Promote key dates. Use Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kickstart your Christmas sales with irresistible deals.
Share gift guides. Help your audience by curating lists like “Gifts Under £20” or “Luxury Presents for Him.” Make it easy for them to find exactly what they need.
Show social proof. Share testimonials, reviews, or user-generated content (UGC) to build trust and inspire confidence in your products or services.
This is also a great time to monitor performance and adjust your campaigns based on what resonates most with your audience.
December: The Final Push
For many shoppers, December is crunch time. This is when your campaigns should focus on urgency and the emotional aspects of the holiday season.
Highlight urgency. Promote last-minute deals with messages like “Order by [date] for Guaranteed Christmas Delivery.”
Tap into emotions. Use heart-warming content to connect with your audience, such as videos that showcase family togetherness or nostalgic holiday memories.
Run interactive campaigns. Keep engagement high with ideas like “12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.”
Prepare for post-holiday shoppers. Start planning your Boxing Day or New Year promotions to keep the momentum going into January.
Why Starting Early Pays Off
Starting your Christmas content creation in August or September gives you a significant advantage:
You’ll beat the rush and stand out from competitors who wait until the last minute.
Early planning allows you to adapt to changing trends or market conditions.
You can create high-quality, polished content that truly resonates with your audience.
Shoppers start their holiday planning earlier every year, with many beginning as soon as October. By having your campaigns ready to go, you’ll capture their attention at the right time and ensure your brand stays top of mind throughout the festive season.
So, when should you start creating your Christmas content? The answer is simple: the earlier, the better. By breaking your campaign planning into these key phases, you’ll not only reduce stress but also maximize your impact during the most wonderful (and competitive) time of the year.
Ready to get started? Begin planning your Christmas campaigns now and watch your festive marketing efforts shine brighter than ever!
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