Brrr, can you feel it? That crisp, cold weather air means the holiday season is officially here!
As we trade pumpkin spice lattes for hot cocoas, it’s time to think about how we’ll capture everyone’s holiday spirit with our email marketing campaigns. Did you know holiday retail sales are predicted to reach up to $989 billion this year? Talk about happy holidays…
So, if one of your New Year’s resolutions is more creative and engaging email marketing campaigns, you’re in the right place.
This post is packed with December newsletter ideas, festive holiday tips, and inspiration to help you make the most of the festive season, from special events to irresistible Christmas and New Year content.
Let’s unwrap it!
December Newsletter Topics
From gift guides and festive recipes to Santa Claus sightings and week-long events, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you celebrate Christmas and connect with your audience throughout the month.
10 December Newsletter Ideas to Spark Holiday Spirit
If you’re looking for December or Christmas newsletter ideas, you’re in for a treat! We’re unwrapping the best examples from the top brands:
Holiday Season Gift Guide
December stresses out even the most seasoned holiday shoppers. Finding the perfect Christmas gifts for everyone on your list feels impossible! Who has time to decipher everyone’s desires and tastes?
That’s where a gift guide comes in. Take a cue from P & Co, who took email personalization to the next level. Their email subscribers select who they’re shopping for and receive a customized list of gift suggestions.
Subject line: The P&Co Gift Guide
Why it works:
- The brand offers different categories for shoppers;
- The categories are based on various features: price, type, gender;
- It has a distinct design, different from usual Christmas visuals but modeled after the brand image.
Sender comes with a pre-made templates for Christmas, New Year, and other events. So crafting an email campaign is as easy as 1-2-3!
Year-in-Review Highlights
As the new year arrives, take a moment to reflect on your brand’s journey with your customers. Looking back highlights the incredible achievements you’ve accomplished together.
Better Brand celebrated this shared journey by dedicating their year-end newsletter to shoutouts for their community and team. The result? A heartwarming message of positivity and joint achievement.
Subject line: 🥯✨A Message from our CEO & Founder
Why it works:
- The email is written as a letter from a person, giving it more human and emotional impact;
- The community and the team got praise, connecting them to one meaningful goal;
- The newsletter looks festive thanks to the smart use of the brand’s red and visuals of its main product – a bagel.
If your brand’s New Year resolution is to up your email marketing game, check out these 9 New Year newsletter ideas to amaze your clients.
Winter Wellness Tips
December’s whirlwind of shopping, celebrations, and preparations can be overwhelming. Help your audience find peace amidst the chaos with curated winter wellness tips. From dry skin saviors to mindfulness techniques, share valuable advice for navigating shorter days.
Everyday Oil went a step further, gifting their audience a curated playlist designed for calm and breathing exercises — a dose of feel-good delivered straight to their subscribers.
Subject line: ***whispers*** happy new year 🙂
Why it works:
- The brand gives helpful content instead of directly promoting their products;
- It speaks with its customers as if it’s a dialogue, creating a sense of connection and intimacy;
- Brand’s philosophy is pouring into the newsletter, making it feel more human.
December is just the beginning of the holiday fun. Here are 14 winter newsletter ideas that you will love.
Christmas Day Gifts
The holiday season can be nerve-racking. While we haven’t quite reached the point of outsourcing gift-buying entirely, brands can offer the next best thing: a curated gift guide topped with some Christmas cheer.
You don’t even have to sell the products yourself. Take inspiration from 8 AM Creative, a content studio that curated a fun and imaginative gift guide for clients to enjoy this holiday season. Indeed, it’s among the most creative Christmas newsletter ideas we’ve seen!
Subject line: Last-minute gifting ideas for your least-loved ones 😠
What we like:
- The humor shines through by parodying the usual gift guides;
- It’s actually a helpful gift guide in disguise, making it ever so engaging;
- The newsletter arouses curiosity, making clicking on the call to action (CTA) irresistible.
Winter Fashion and Style
There are only two ways to dress up in December: cozy or party. If there’s anything your brand can suggest, then it’s your opportunity to grab.
Duer went cozy and practical, promoting their newest super warm, waterproof, and stylish collection. But they didn’t just include some pictures and write the keywords. No. They showed how their clothing can benefit those looking for quality and style.
Subject line: Oh-so-cozy Denim
What we like:
- Each of the essential benefits is demonstrated individually;
- Since it’s a longer newsletter, there are several CTAs placed along the way;
- The images show how the clothes look up close and styled.
Hanukkah Traditions and Gift Ideas
Dive into the traditions of this unique Jewish festival with your Hanukkah newsletter. Share heartwarming gratitude messages, gift ideas (socks are so last century), and delicious recipes to help your audience celebrate Hanukkah.
Want something more meaningful? Share how everyone, no matter their religion and beliefs, can become a part of Hanukkah’s celebration. Just like AfterShokz did:
Subject line: Happy Hanukkah To All Who Celebrate! 🕎
What we like:
- While it carries religious symbols, the email stays stylishly on brand;
- The body copy nicely and respectfully introduces the holiday;
- The brand offers ways to become a better person this Hanukkah, making it closer to the heart.
Kwanzaa Celebration Guide
Honor the spirit of Kwanzaa with a guide to the seven principles. Include recipes for traditional dishes, ideas for creating a Kinara (extra points for glitter!), and memorable moments from past Kwanzaa celebrations.
The newsletter of 4 hats & frugal is aimed at those new to Kwanzaa and acts as a handy, illustrated guide to the celebration:
Subject line: All you need to know about Kwanzaa
What we like:
- The email manages to fit all the key things about Kwanzaa in a single visual;
- The layout is well-thought-out and maximizes readability;
- While there aren’t many festive elements, traditional colors nicely symbolize the occasion.
Winter Solstice Rituals and Reflections
The longest night of the year? Time for serious introspection: share midwinter rituals, mindfulness practices, and prompts for setting intentions as the days lengthen again.
3rd ritual went a whole leap further, inviting people to a special retreat:
Subject line: You’re Invited: Winter Solstice Gathering
What we like:
- The email is minimal but definitely not boring;
- The brand shows that it knows the seasonal struggles of its subscribers and suggests a solution;
- The email is purely inspirational and doesn’t feel salesy at all.
New Year’s Eve Party Planning
Help your audience ring in the new year with a bang with this New Year’s Eve newsletter. Offer for throwing a memorable party, including festive cocktail recipes, decorating ideas, and entertainment suggestions.
Or! Simply give them a better, more affordable way to celebrate as Winc did. A deal on delicious wine? Sign us up:
Subject line: Pop off the New Year with 4 for $20.22
What we like:
- The email is very festive and visual – a perfect representation of the occasion;
- The deal isn’t made for individuals; it’s made to bring people together;
- The body copy also includes a New Year’s encouragement, making the email so much more than a sales pitch.
Boxing Day Holiday Shopping Tips
Share savvy holiday shopping tips and tricks to help subscribers snag the best deals on Boxing Day. Highlight post-holiday sales and provide advice on increasing savings while avoiding impulse purchases.
BNKR revealed another way subscribers can save this holiday season beyond typical shopping tips:
Subject line: Knock out deal! 26% off sitewide
What we like:
- The subject line is a clever pun, making it an instant hit;
- GIF and bright colors make the email a true eye candy;
- The discount size is another smart nod to the occasion.
Crafting Christmas Email Campaign Strategy
Ever thought about making your Christmas email strategy more magical?
Instead of just one Christmas newsletter, consider a 3-step Christmas email campaign that keeps the holiday spirit alive throughout December:
Step 1: Pre-Christmas
In December, everyone’s inbox is bustling with holiday cheer. Stay ahead of the game by sending a pre-Christmas email that keeps you in your subscribers’ thoughts. Start planning and designing your main Christmas campaign early, and don’t forget to sprinkle some warm season greetings in your December newsletter.
Step 2: Christmas Email
The big day has arrived, and if you’ve sent a pre-Christmas email, your subscribers will eagerly await your Christmas email.
Now’s the time for some email magic! Personalize your emails to treat your clients to special Christmas discounts on products they’ve been eyeing or searching for on your website. It’s a wonderful way to inspire them to take action right from their cozy holiday spaces.
Pro Tip. If you’re launching a Christmas sale, to make your holiday shopping season offer stand out, throw in something extra for buyers – offer free shipping or give a holiday-themed gift.
Step 3: Post-Christmas Email Campaign
After Christmas, everyone’s winding down, and their inboxes are a lot less crowded. Seize this opportunity to spread some post-Christmas joy with another email campaign. The year’s end is the perfect time to give your business a boost and make it a December to remember.
This period could also segue into January newsletter ideas. Because planning ahead is key.
Christmas Email Subject Lines
It’s time to sprinkle some holiday magic into your Christmas email subject lines! After all, getting your clients to open your emails is the first step to spreading festive cheer. If you can’t get that click, the rest of your email content won’t have a chance to shine.
Here are some subject line examples that will not only grab attention but also boost your email metrics:
- 60% off ⚡ The Season’s Flash Sale
- Buy One, Get One Before Christmas 💝
- Put Some Fun Under the Tree 🎄🎁
- [Company Name] Gift Guide 🎁🔍
- Our Little Gift to You 🎁💗
- 12 Presents To Make You Feel Your Best 💃
- 5 Recipes for Christmas Cocktails 🍸
- [First Name], Merry Christmas from [Company Name] 🥳
- Ho Ho Ho… It’s Me [Company Name] 🧑🎄
- Here’s a Gift Just for You 🫶
- Find the Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your List 🎁
- Season’s Greetings—25% Discount + Shipping 🎄
- Christmas Sale – 25% Off Store Wide 🎠
Crafting Christmas-themed email subject lines is like painting a holiday masterpiece for some email marketers.
And remember, it’s not just about promotion; you can also send warm wishes in your subject line. So, when planning your festive email campaign, let your subject line be the star that lights up your subscribers’ inboxes.
To be fully prepared for the upcoming holidays, make sure to check out these 10 holiday email marketing tips & email campaign examples.
