The holiday season isn’t just a time for decking the halls and overindulgence in eggnog. It’s also a time of great opportunity for businesses of all kinds. If you’re a marketer or business owner, you’re doubtless aware that Q4 is usually by far the busiest time of year.

People everywhere are preparing for parties and picking presents for their loved ones. This is a fact that you should be taking advantage of in your marketing strategy. Holiday marketing is a wonderful way to boost sales even further in the festive season.

Below, we’ve listed some of our all-time favorite campaigns from some of the biggest names in the business. 

1. Apple

Apple is known for its innovative marketing ideas, but one holiday season in particular —2018—had everyone talking. The Share Your Gift campaign featured a Pixar-style animation and told, without any dialogue, a heartwarming tale of an adolescent sharing their creativity with the world. Its magic lies in the nostalgia it elicited in viewers everywhere and its simplicity.

2. Amazon

Amazon is another company that has had many great holiday campaigns. Its 2020 offering, however, was particularly poignant.

The Show Must Go On played on themes of the pandemic and the disruption and isolation it caused in the lives of everyone over the previous year. The key, of course, is that it ended on a happy and heartwarming note.

Holiday Marketing Examples Elle Marketing and Event

3. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is recognized as one of the companies that do holiday marketing best. What more iconic example of using than its nostalgia-inducing Coca-Cola trucks ringing in the holiday season? The Holidays Are Coming has been around in one form or another for decades and brings new meaning to the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

4. Starbucks

Another iconic addition to Christmas is the special Starbucks seasonal drinks with cups to match. The minute you see someone carrying around a bright red cup, it automatically fills you with the festive spirit—and makes you want one for yourself. Coming up with new festive drinks this year and sharing irresistible photos as part of its social media marketing campaign is enough to win it often the top spot for holiday sales.

5. Target

Target’s 2019 holiday marketing campaign was a little different from the others on this list. Instead of going for something mellow that tugs at the heartstrings, it offered up an upbeat and funky festive advertisement.

This ad drew on popular advertisement trends, including using disco music and having rhyming voiceovers. The end result was something peppy, fun, and festive.

Holiday Marketing Examples Elle Marketing and Event

Tips for a Successful Holiday Marketing Campaign

By looking at the above wildly successful holiday marketing campaigns, we can glean a few things. First, themes of family, giving, and togetherness are good.

Always emphasize feelings, whether that’s excitement, nostalgia, or empathy. Don’t be afraid to include topical elements (as Amazon and Target did). And try to appeal to as many family members as you can.

If you want to build a stellar holiday campaign, we’re only a click, tap, or phone call away. So get in touch today to discuss how to boost your business this holiday season.