If you’ve got a marketing team working with you, or you’ve ever spent time with a marketing team, you’ll know some of them start talking about Christmas as early as 26th December!

We understand that for most people, Christmas is the last thing you want to be thinking about whilst there is still a hint of summer lingering in the air. But the big question remains: when should you kickstart your Christmas marketing campaign?

The short answer; as soon as possible!

The ideal time to start planning your Christmas marketing strategy for most businesses is July-September. This will give you ample time to plan, create and manage the workload involved in implementing a successful Christmas campaign.

When should my Christmas advertising campaign start?

The best time to get the campaign started is in September. This is when you should start to put your plans into action and begin showcasing your products and services. Christmas offers many businesses a prime opportunity to bolster their sales and cultivate customer loyalty, so it is crucial to have a plan in place ready to make the most of it. Our blog will explain why, when and how you should tackle your Christmas 2023 campaign.

Have a strategy

Christmas doesn’t just happen overnight – even as consumers we have a strategy in place to help manage the increase in spending and tasks required to make Christmas happen. It’s exactly the same for businesses. Finding the right moment to initiate your Christmas campaign requires a thoughtful evaluation of market trends, consumer behaviour, and your own business objectives.

Analyse the past

Christmas is a time for reflection.

Reflect on your past Christmas campaigns and sales. What yielded the best results and when? Analysing historical data can provide insights into consumer response patterns and reveal optimal dates. Identifying trends in customer engagement and sales spikes will help you make informed decisions.

Preparation is everything

Success in the Christmas holiday season demands meticulous planning. While the allure of early campaigns might seem tempting, bombarding your audience with Christmas messaging too soon can lead to brand fatigue. Aim for a balanced approach by initiating your campaign in the latter half of September/early October. This allows ample time to establish a festive atmosphere without your advertising becoming ineffective.

You should plan which channels you will use for the campaign and when. Organic social media is a good way to gauge how engaged your audience is in Christmas topics. You could begin your campaign with a series of social media posts, setting the scene for your next steps. Ideally, your campaign will use a blend of advertising types, with some ‘always on’ and others designed to run at peak sales times. If you’re unsure of what you should be doing and when – we can help. We advise businesses of all sizes, types and industries and have been delivering Christmas campaigns that work for almost as long as Father Christmas!

Get the holidays out of the way first

Another time to start your Christmas advertising campaign is November, once other holidays are over.

If your campaign is already underway, you should begin to ramp it up once Halloween and Bonfire Night are out of the way, ready for Black Friday. That’s not to say you can’t use these additional holidays in your campaign though – they provide a welcome opportunity to briefly change your content from Christmas, whilst keeping your tone, values, and message the same.

December delivers

December is undeniably the pinnacle of the holiday season. As shoppers intensify their search for the perfect gifts and seasonal indulgences, your campaign gains heightened visibility and relevance. Utilise this month to deploy captivating content across various platforms, from social media and email marketing to in-store promotions.

If you’ve still not started your campaign, or results are not as you hoped, December can still deliver opportunities. As excitement for Christmas begins to snowball it is an ideal time to run a punchy ad campaign. If your campaign until this point was focussed on brand awareness and educating your target audience, December is the time to add the glitter and tinsel and go all out.

Seize the last-minute rush

Don’t underestimate the power of procrastination. As Christmas inches closer, a considerable segment of consumers will be in a frenzy to finalise their purchases. Leverage this urgency by maintaining your campaign momentum through the final days leading up to Christmas. Last-minute deals, expedited shipping options, and special offers can cater to the needs of these latecomers.

Make this Christmas memorable

The timing of your Christmas marketing campaign requires a deliberate and strategic approach, aligned with your brand identity, consumer preferences, and historical performance. Rather than diving headlong into the festivities, it is much better to carefully evaluate when to launch your campaigns to achieve optimal results.

By analysing past campaigns, striking a balance between early and late launches, capitalising on events, dominating the December landscape, and seizing the last-minute rush, you can position your business for success during the entire holiday season.

Remember, a well-timed Christmas campaign isn’t just about generating sales; it’s a testament to your brand’s ability to resonate with customers and enhance their experiences – building trust so that they think of using your business again.

So, as you embark on your journey to a successful Christmas, keep in mind that strategic planning and a keen understanding of your market will pave the way for a festive and fruitful Christmas holiday campaign.

Finally, if there is one element of your campaign you would like some help with – or if you’d like support creating your next Christmas campaign from start to finish – we’re here to help.

Let the experts help

Even Santa needs elves.

We have a team of experienced experts available to create your perfect Christmas campaign – allowing you to concentrate on managing your business during one of the busiest times of the year, both personally and professionally. We can create custom campaigns to suit all budgets and have the resources to do the research into what works and when, within your area of business.

Plus right now we have loads of offers available to help with costs – at a time when every penny matters. After all, it wouldn’t be Christmas without gifts now would it!

Get in touch with us now by completing the short form below, and one of our team will be in touch.