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Every year, as Halloween ends, the holiday marketing campaigns begin in full swing. Businesses flood consumers with holiday emails, social media ads, and TV commercials, all vying for attention during the spending season.
But among the noise, some brands stand out with holiday marketing campaigns that genuinely resonate. These campaigns go beyond selling, they delight customers, evoke emotions, encourage sharing, and even foster connections with loved ones. Some even partner with charitable organizations, making a meaningful impact while driving engagement.
Holiday marketing campaigns in 2025 are evolving fast, shaped by changing consumer expectations and rising operational costs.
Here’s what DTC brands should prepare for:
Experience Over Discounts: Shoppers are increasingly fatigued by endless sales. While discounts still matter, customers now respond more to story-driven, experience-led holiday marketing strategies that make them feel something.
Loyalty and Retention Take Center Stage: With acquisition costs rising, brands are prioritizing repeat purchases, loyalty programs, and referral-driven growth. Holiday campaigns are no longer just about first-time buyers; they’re about long-term relationships.
Omnichannel Expectations: Customers expect seamless experiences across online stores, physical locations, email, SMS, and social media. Successful holiday marketing campaigns integrate all touchpoints into one cohesive journey.
Personalization at Scale: Generic holiday messaging no longer works. Personalized rewards, tailored offers, and customer-specific storytelling are becoming essential holiday marketing strategies.
Nordstrom’s “Make Merry” holiday campaign emphasizes sustainability and customer engagement through innovative, eco-friendly shopping bags. These bags are designed for creative reuse, featuring guides to transform them into origami hearts, handbags, or festive ornaments. Customers are encouraged to share their creations on Instagram using the hashtag #MakeMerry, fostering a sense of community and holiday spirit.
Beyond the reusable bags, Nordstrom’s campaign includes:
This approach not only reduces waste but also enhances the customer experience by adding a personalized, creative touch to holiday preparations. By integrating sustainability with interactive elements, Nordstrom successfully combines environmental responsibility with festive engagement, setting a precedent for holiday marketing campaigns.
Key Highlights of the Campaign:
The “Believe” Campaign: A Festive Tradition Macy’s “Believe” campaign is built around the idea of spreading joy and embracing the magic of the season. The campaign encourages people to write letters to Santa, and for each letter collected in-store or online, Macy’s donates to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This initiative not only amplifies the holiday spirit but also aligns with the values of generosity and kindness.
Why Macy’s Holiday Marketing Campaigns Stand Out Macy’s campaigns work because they go beyond traditional advertising. They focus on creating memories and delivering heartfelt messages that resonate with audiences. By combining charitable giving, emotional storytelling, and immersive in-store experiences, Macy’s reinforces its position as a holiday destination, driving both foot traffic and brand loyalty.
Whether it’s the “Believe” campaign or the breathtaking holiday window displays, Macy’s holiday marketing campaigns embody the festive spirit, reminding everyone of the joy and magic the season brings.
The Premise The campaign features M&M’s beloved characters, Red and Yellow, accidentally encountering Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. In a moment of mutual disbelief—Santa is shocked to see talking candy, and the M&M’s are stunned to meet the legendary figure—both parties hilariously faint from the surprise. The tagline? “He does exist!” captures the magic of Christmas with a humorous twist.
Why It Works
Why M&M’s Holiday Campaigns Stand Out M&M’s understands the importance of blending humor with nostalgia in its holiday marketing campaigns. By combining relatable characters, a touch of holiday magic, and a strong emotional connection, the brand has created a campaign that people look forward to seeing every Christmas season.
The “Stumble Upon Santa” campaign showcases how humor and holiday spirit can make a lasting impression, ensuring M&M’s remains a beloved part of the festive season.
L.L.Bean’s #12DaysofPuppies campaign is a delightful blend of holiday cheer, adorable dogs, and creative marketing, making it one of the most heartwarming holiday marketing campaigns in recent years. This campaign captures the essence of the season with a simple yet effective concept: puppies and festive joy.
The Campaign Concept The #12DaysofPuppies campaign launched during the holiday season, featuring twelve days of adorable puppy content shared across L.L.Bean’s social media platforms. Each day, the campaign highlighted heartwarming videos and images of puppies engaging with L.L.Bean products in cozy and wintry settings. From snuggling in bean boots to frolicking in snowy landscapes, these furry companions brought L.L.Bean’s outdoor and lifestyle brand to life.
Why It Works
The Impact
The campaign received widespread attention and went viral on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Fans eagerly awaited each day’s post, turning the campaign into a social media event. The hashtag #12DaysofPuppies not only boosted L.L.Bean’s visibility but also solidified its reputation as a brand that knows how to spread holiday cheer.
Why It Stands Out The #12DaysofPuppies campaign highlights how creativity and emotional resonance can elevate a holiday marketing campaign. By combining adorable puppies with the festive season, L.L.Bean successfully captured the hearts of its audience while subtly promoting its products. It’s a shining example of how brands can blend wholesome content with effective marketing to create a memorable holiday experience.
Taco Bell’s Giving Just Got Even Better holiday marketing campaign brought a flavorful twist to the season of giving, cleverly blending generosity with their brand identity. The fast-food giant tapped into the holiday spirit by offering customers exciting opportunities to give and receive, reinforcing their connection with fans during one of the most festive times of the year. The Campaign Concept Taco Bell’s Giving Just Got Even Better campaign centered around the idea of making holiday gifting simpler, tastier, and more fun. The campaign included limited-time offers, gift card promotions, and special deals designed to encourage both gift-giving and self-indulgence. Taco Bell also encouraged customers to use their gift cards to share meals with friends and loved ones, adding a community-driven aspect to the holiday cheer. One notable feature of the campaign was their playful messaging and unique approach to holiday gifts, positioning Taco Bell as a fun and unconventional option for spreading joy. Key Features of the Campaign
Why it works
The Impact The Giving Just Got Even Better campaign effectively positioned Taco Bell as more than just a fast-food option; it became part of customers’ holiday celebrations. The gift card incentives drove sales during the season, while the creative marketing efforts boosted brand visibility and engagement.
Why It Stands Out Taco Bell’s holiday marketing campaign demonstrates how a brand can seamlessly integrate its core offerings with the festive spirit. By focusing on the act of giving and adding playful holiday elements, Taco Bell created a campaign that was not only memorable but also a reflection of its fun and vibrant identity. It’s a masterclass in using the holiday season to connect with customers on both a personal and promotional level.
The Campaign Concept Apple’s Make Someone’s Holiday was centered around the idea of creating joy through thoughtful gifts. The campaign highlighted Apple’s products as the perfect presents to enhance creativity, connection, and entertainment. Whether it was a new iPhone, an Apple Watch, or AirPods, Apple positioned its devices as more than just tech – they became tools for creating lasting memories and meaningful moments. The campaign seamlessly blended storytelling with product promotion, emphasizing the emotional value of Apple products in people’s lives.
Key Features of the Campaign
Why It Works
The Impact
Apple’s Make Someone’s Holiday campaign reinforced its position as a leading brand for high-quality, thoughtful gifts. The emotional storytelling and emphasis on product benefits resonated with customers, driving both in-store and online sales. Additionally, the campaign solidified Apple’s reputation as a brand that doesn’t just sell products – it creates experiences.
Why It Stands Out
Apple’s campaign masterfully balanced emotion and promotion, making its products feel personal and essential for the holiday season. The focus on creating memories and strengthening relationships through technology set it apart from typical product-centric campaigns. Make Someone’s Holiday demonstrated how a brand can leverage its core values and offerings to create a campaign that is both impactful and memorable.
Oreo’s Colorfilled campaign added a splash of creativity and personalization to the holiday season, redefining how brands can engage with their customers. This innovative campaign transformed Oreo packaging into a fun, interactive experience, making holiday gifting more thoughtful and unique.
The Campaign Concept
The Colorfilled campaign invited customers to personalize Oreo packaging with their own artistic flair. By partnering with talented illustrators and providing vibrant, festive designs, Oreo offered customers the chance to create customized holiday gifts that stood out. This initiative encouraged creativity and fostered a deeper connection between the brand and its audience.
Key Features of the Campaign:
Why It Works
The Impact
Oreo’s Colorfilled campaign was a resounding success, driving both sales and brand engagement. By turning packaging into a customizable gift, Oreo distinguished itself from competitors during the busy holiday season. The campaign also amplified Oreo’s presence on social media, with countless users sharing their personalized designs.
Why It Stands Out
Oreo’s Colorfilled campaign is a stellar example of how a brand can elevate its product through creativity and engagement. By focusing on personalization, interactive experiences, and festive designs, Oreo successfully positioned itself as a fun and thoughtful holiday gift. This campaign not only delighted customers but also solidified Oreo’s place as a leader in innovative holiday marketing campaigns.
The holidays are all about emotions — joy, nostalgia, generosity, and connection. Brands that evoke these feelings through storytelling have a greater chance of standing out. The results of this strategy show how integrating entertainment and interaction with exclusive offers can drive conversions while also building brand awareness. MeUndies’ Facebook Live campaign is a prime example of how brands can creatively use digital channels to enhance the Black Friday shopping experience and drive sales.
Your existing customers are a goldmine for holiday campaign ideas. By analyzing customer behavior, past campaign performance, and purchasing trends, you can identify what works and where you can improve.
Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places. Looking at campaigns in industries unrelated to yours can spark fresh perspectives and ideas you might not have considered.
Crafting creative holiday marketing campaigns is all about connecting with your audience through storytelling, data-driven insights, and fresh inspiration. These strategies not only help you stand out but also foster deeper customer relationships during the busiest season of the year.
If you’re looking to elevate your campaigns with innovative loyalty solutions, consider partnering with 99minds. We help you create personalized, rewarding experiences that keep your customers coming back for more.
