20 Christmas Email Marketing Ideas with Examples to Drive Holiday Conversions

Email marketing remains one of the highest return on investment (ROI) channels, with a return of $36 for every dollar spent.  In Western markets, email is the primary mass channel for seasonal promotions, especially during December when brands ramp up their Christmas marketing email campaigns. Consumers are in a festive mindset and ready to spend. American consumers alone spend an average of $997.73 on gifts and other holiday items each Christmas.

But with crowded inboxes and high competition, the real challenge is standing out. This blog covers 20 creative Christmas email ideas, each with strategic rationale, real-world examples, and actionable tips for marketers aiming to drive customer engagement and revenue over the holidays. 

Christmas Email Marketing Ideas that Include Gifting and Product Discovery

1. Curated Gift Guides by Budget or Persona

Gift guides simplify the shoppers’ decision-making by grouping products into meaningful categories. They can be grouped by budget, recipient type, style, etc. Customers appreciate tailored suggestions rather than generic product blasts.

Example: Email from Ashley & Co., “Christmas gift guide 2023,” showcases budget-based sections like “Under $25” and “$65” with elegant visuals and clear CTAs. The email lets the customer choose whether they want to gift something small and sweet, considered and kind, or generous and bright.

Pro Tip: Use persona or price-based segmentation and dynamically load products accordingly. A/B test subject lines like “Gifts under $25” vs. “Budget gifts for everyone.”

2. Holiday Bundles 

Bundling increases average order value by packaging complementary items into a discounted set, and mystery boxes create excitement and exclusivity. Marketers can include a high-value item and price the bundle just below the sum of its parts to make subscribers feel they’re getting a deal.

Example: Ugmonk offers thoughtfully curated bundles, making holiday shopping easier. The clean design highlights product value, while the “Bundle Up” phrasing feels seasonal and cozy. It emphasizes convenience, savings, and gifting appeal, all key to driving holiday conversions.

Pro Tip: Tease a few included items without revealing everything to create intrigue.

3. Last-Minute Digital Gifting Campaign

Many shoppers procrastinate on holiday purchases. Email offers of instantly delivered solutions, such as gift cards or e-gifts, capture this urgent demand. 

Example: Bellroy sent an email with the headline “It’s never too late,” offering digital gift cards delivered instantly to the inbox. Customers feel relieved knowing they can still send something meaningful at the last minute.

Pro Tip: Emphasize instant delivery and no shipping needed in the email. 

4. Personalized Recommendations for Repeat Shoppers

Personalized suggestions based on past behavior make emails feel relevant. You can send targeted emails to customers based on browsing history, past purchases, or cart activity.

Example: Specialized highlights specific discounts on gear, likely based on past browsing or purchase behavior. The subject line promises big savings of up to 60% off, and the curated content feels tailored, making it ideal for loyal customers looking to upgrade or gift.

Pro Tip: Use dynamic content blocks in your email tool to automatically fill in products each subscriber viewed or bought before.

Ready to turn festive inspiration into real results? Use these best Christmas marketing ideas to drive more traffic, boost conversions, and win the holiday season.

5. Wishlist Recovery or Reminder Emails

Reminding shoppers of items they were interested in can nudge conversions. If a customer has a saved “wishlist” or has browsed a product without buying, an email like “Your wishlist is waiting” or “Don’t miss these items” drives urgency. 

Example: Hunting for George uses the subject line “Your Winter Wishlist Awaits” to re-engage users emotionally. It gently nudges them to revisit saved items, tying into the seasonal mood with “winter” language. 

Pro Trip: Dynamically pull wishlist/cart items into the email. Offering a small bonus can provide just the incentive needed to convert.

Christmas Marketing Emails that Leverage Psychology and Urgency

6. Countdown to Christmas Series

A countdown email series builds excitement and urgency over time. By sending emails like “10 days left” or “12 Days of Christmas deals,” you keep your brand top-of-mind and encourage subscribers to act before time runs out.

Example: Action Rocket uses a familiar “12 Days of Christmas” theme to build anticipation and engagement over multiple days. It blends festive visuals, a playful tone, and valuable daily content, creating a sense of tradition, fun, and reason to return each day.

Pro Tip: Automate the series with daily triggers. Experiment with festive copy like “Tick tock, Rudolph’s on the clock!”

7. Flash Sale Offers

Flash sale emails work because they create a sense of urgency and scarcity, pushing recipients to act fast before the deal expires. The limited-time nature triggers FOMO, grabs attention, and drives quick conversions, especially when paired with bold visuals, clear CTAs, and time-specific language 

Example: This Victoria’s Secret email combines limited-time deals ($12.95 tees, 40% off cozy) with seasonal relevance. The word “cozy” evokes holiday warmth, while bold visuals and clear CTAs encourage quick action, perfect for last-minute shoppers looking for festive, affordable gifts.

Pro Tip: Place a countdown timer or a “Sale ends tonight” banner in the email.

8. “Almost Gone” or “Last Chance to Order” Reminders

Reminding customers that order cutoffs or stock limits are near pushes procrastinators to buy. A simple email like “Almost Gone, Get Your Limited Edition Now” or “Low stock alert” can trigger conversions.

Example: The email from Rover works because it uses urgency-inducing phrases like “Almost Gone” and shows exclusivity with “Limited-Edition” to trigger FOMO, ideal for last-minute holiday shoppers. The clean design, clear CTA, and giftable product align with Christmas buying behavior, making it a strong reminder without needing overt holiday visuals.

Pro Tip: Segment out users who opened previous emails but didn’t buy, and send them a specific “last chance” email. Include shipping cutoff dates or inventory counts to encourage immediate action.

Take the lead this festive season! Use these Christmas advertisement examples to craft campaigns your audience will remember.

9. Free Holiday Shipping Deadlines 

High shipping costs deter purchases.  Offering free shipping removes that barrier. A timely email noting the last date for free shipping, such as mentioning “Order by Dec 20 for free holiday shipping” in the subject line of the preview text, creates urgency.

Example: The email from Cue works well as a free holiday shipping deadline email message because it clearly announces the start of a limited-time free shipping offer, right in the centre of the email body. The timing encourages early action, while the festive design with green and white colors aligns with the season, helping convert holiday shoppers who prioritize convenience and savings.

Pro Tip: Segment your email by geography and local carrier deadlines. Use past purchase locations to automate region-specific cutoff reminders.

10. Post-Christmas Clearance Events

After December 25, shoppers still buy with gift cards or by keeping the New Year in mind. A post-holiday clearance email can clear out leftover inventory.

Example: The email from Canva effectively leverages the post-Christmas window by extending a generous 50% off offer on Canva Pro. The “Offer Extended” subject line creates urgency, appealing to users who may have missed earlier deals. It taps into year-end momentum when customers are still in shopping mode, making it ideal for driving late-season conversions and clearing digital inventory.

Pro Tip: Create urgency with year-end language, such as “Ending 2025 with a bang!”. Remarket to anyone who opened pre-Christmas emails but didn’t convert, offering them a second chance at a deal. 

Christmas Marketing Emails that Engage and Delight

11. Advent Calendars

An advent calendar is a fun, engaging way to deliver a gift every day. This gamified approach keeps subscribers engaged and is especially effective for brand-building during December.

Example: GoodPairDays turns a classic holiday tradition into a product experience. The twelve wines of the Christmas advent calendar create excitement, surprise, and daily engagement. Advent-style offers build anticipation and encourage repeat interactions, making them ideal for driving sustained interest across the holiday season.

Pro Tip: Highlight the unboxing experience and daily surprises to build anticipation. Use rich visuals and customer reviews to position it as a gift-worthy, collectible item.

12. Holiday Quiz or Trivia Games

Interactive content, such as quizzes and trivia games, engages users and yields personalized gift suggestions. Such gamification emails yield valuable preference data and fun engagement. For example, a ” Which holiday character are you?” The quiz could lead to recommended products.

Example: Uplers invites recipients to test their Christmas knowledge, and taps into seasonal spirit while boosting click-through rates. The playful tone, bold design, and built-in curiosity encourage participation without pushing a hard sell. It also provides an opportunity to collect zero-party data or segment users based on responses.

Pro Tip: Offer a reward after quiz completion to incentivize participation and capture email conversions.

13. Gamified Offers

Gamified elements, such as scratch cards, create novelty in the inbox. Embedding a quick click to open an element that reveals a discount coupon gamifies the shopping experience. These emails not only entertain but also collect preference data for future targeting.

Example: Travelodge uses an interactive “Open me 🎁” envelope at the top that encourages curiosity and engagement, prompting users to click and participate. It mimics the experience of opening a gift, creating a playful, festive moment in the inbox. The “Make a Wish This Christmas” section adds a light sweepstakes element, inviting users to submit travel dreams for a chance to win, blending sentimentality with lead capture.

Pro Tip: Combine with a simple form or incentive to boost engagement and collect valuable customer intent.

14. Early Access to Christmas Products

Offering early access to holiday products builds anticipation and makes loyal subscribers feel like insiders. By giving them a head start on limited-edition collections or seasonal merchandise, you tap into exclusivity and drive faster conversions ahead of peak shopping periods.

Example: Chick-fil-A’s email campaign, The Snow Globe, invites recipients to watch a heartwarming holiday film before it’s widely promoted. Framed as a seasonal gift, the message uses storytelling and warm design to position early access as a privilege—creating emotional connection before the main campaign rolls out.

Pro Tip: Target your most engaged subscribers or loyalty program members with a timed early-access email. Add copy like “Get it before anyone else” or “Just for our VIPs” to amplify exclusivity.

15. Festive Loyalty Points or Rewards Activation

Holiday-themed loyalty promotions re-engage existing customers and attract new sign-ups. You might run a limited-time “double points” weekend in December or give bonus points for holiday purchases. Even without a points program, you can send VIP customers an exclusive holiday reward. This rewards loyalty and encourages higher spending. 

Example: Taco Bell leverages the holiday season to incentivize spending by offering a $5 eBonus card with a $15 eGift card purchase. It rewards customers immediately, boosting both gift card sales and brand engagement. The festive design, clear value proposition, and sense of urgency align perfectly with holiday buying behavior.

Pro Tip: If you have a loyalty program, target VIPs with an email announcing their bonus reward. If not, consider a temporary “holiday club” sign-up benefit.

Explore more: 11 powerful benefits of customer loyalty programs.

Christmas Email Marketing Examples Focusing on Emotion and Brand Building

16. A “Thank You” Email with No Sales Pitch

At the peak of shopping chaos, a sincere thank-you message stands out. It shows customers you appreciate them beyond transactions. A pure greeting with no CTA can strengthen brand-customer bonds.

Example: Poppin sent a minimalist “Happy Holidays” email featuring a wreath of journals and no call-to-action. This kind of email can foster goodwill and loyalty rather than immediate sales.

Pro Tip: Personalize the email with the recipient’s first name or a fun signature from the CEO. Use a handwritten font or a scan of a holiday drawing to make it feel like a card. Don’t rush to sell, focus on the goal of goodwill. You can soft-link to your site in the footer, but avoid hard-sell language.

17. Year-in-Review Email Personalized by Customer Behavior

Year-in-review emails tap into reflection and nostalgia that are powerful emotional triggers during the holiday season. When personalized with user behavior, they remind customers of the value your brand added to their year, strengthening emotional loyalty and encouraging continued engagement.

Example: Uncommon Goods’  “A look back at how you spent 2024 with us” showcases each user’s achievements through clean visuals, relevant statistics, and celebratory messaging. It feels like a gift, not a promotion.

Pro Tip: Use behavioral data, like purchases, app activity, and engagement history, to create individualized recaps. Pair them with a thank-you message and a preview of what’s coming in the new year to extend the conversation.

18. Story Tie-in for the Holiday

Story-driven holiday emails are powerful tools for emotion and brand building because they shift the focus from promotion to connection. They allow brands to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the customer relationship.

Example: The email from LostmyName provides information on Christmas traditions around the world, thus adding valuable content, instead of focusing solely on promoting the product.

Pro Tip: Use storytelling to highlight shared values, moments, or milestones that resonate with your audience.

19. Holiday Charity Tie-In or Donation Campaign

​​The spirit of giving is strong during Christmas. Partnering with a charity or pledging donations can inspire purchases and loyalty. Customers appreciate making a positive impact with their purchase.

Example: The email from Deki works as a holiday charity tie-in marketing email because it encourages meaningful gifting by promoting gift vouchers, which support global entrepreneurs. The message blends generosity with festive spirit, making it easy for recipients to give back during the holidays.

Pro Tip: Highlight the impact clearly in your email. Also, include a festive graphic or badge to catch the eye.

20. Personalized Merry Christmas Message

Sending warm holiday wishes beyond a thank-you helps build brand loyalty. A simple, heartfelt greeting card-style email can make customers feel valued. Incorporate personalization where you can, such as addressing the customer by name and, if possible, referencing something relevant.

Example: The email from EmailMonks works as a personalized Christmas message because it features a heartfelt greeting directly from the team, complete with festive visuals and emotional warmth, making the brand feel human, sincere, and genuinely appreciative during the holiday season.

Pro Tip: If you run out of new ideas, repurpose a non-salesy holiday image like a cozy scene or team greeting as your email content.

Christmas Email Subject Line Tips That Work

With inboxes overflowing during the holiday season, your subject line is your first chance to get noticed. A great Christmas subject line should do more than mention the holiday; it should spark emotion, urgency, or curiosity. Keep it short and punchy, ideally under 50 characters. 

Emojis can help stand out, but use them sparingly and only when they are on-brand. Time-sensitive language like “Last Chance” or “Today Only” boosts open rates when used wisely. If you’re offering a quiz, a giveaway, or a gift guide, be clear about what’s inside.

Examples of Subject Lines

• 🎄 You’ve Got 24 Hours to Sleigh This Deal
• Are You on the Naughty or Nice List? Take the Quiz!
• Your Christmas Wishlist Just Came True
• ⏰ Final Hours: Free Shipping Ends Tonight!
• The Gift You Didn’t Know You Needed

Tip: The festive season is ideal for A/B testing subject lines. With high email volume and fast-changing trends, testing different tones, like humorous vs. heartfelt, emoji vs. plain text, or urgency vs. curiosity, can give you valuable real-time data to guide future sends.

Preheaders That Pair Well

• “We saved something special just for you.”
• “Psst… there’s a surprise inside 🎁”
• “Santa’s not the only one bringing gifts.”
• “Open for some serious holiday cheer.”
• “Click fast—these won’t last long!”

Bonus: Holiday Email Sign-Offs That Feel Personal

• Warm wishes from all of us ❄️
• May your days be merry & bright – [Brand Team]
• With love and mistletoe,
• Thanks for a magical year – Happy Holidays!
• Until next year… stay cozy and kind 💌

Email Design, Timing, and Segmentation 

Follow these best practices to increase the performance of your Christmas marketing emails.

1. Design

• Design holiday emails with festive flair, but remember to stay on-brand. 
• Use seasonal colors, such as red, green, and gold, with winter graphics, but keep layouts clean and mobile-responsive. 
• Avoid clutter by using clear CTAs and well-sized images that ensure readers can shop easily even on phones.

2. Timing

The timing can vary depending on your Christmas email marketing campaign type.

• Send gift guides and early-bird offers in early to mid-December, send flash deals and last-chance notices in the third week of Dec.
• A post-Christmas clearance email can go between December 26 and December 30.
• Schedule emails at consistent times, but experiment with sending days during flash sales.
  

3. Segmentation

• Segment audience into engaged subscribers, VIP/high-spenders, and past holiday shoppers.
• Identify dormant users who might re-engage with a special holiday incentive.
• Curate catalogs by customer lifecycle and target them with personalized campaigns.
  

4. Automation

Use automation for cart recovery emails, upsells, and re-engagement journeys. For instance, send a triggered email when someone views a gift repeatedly or abandons a cart containing holiday decor.

Activate Data-Driven Holiday Emails with CleverTap’s Campaign Suite

Leverage CleverTap’s all-in-one customer engagement platform to orchestrate these holiday email strategies. 

• With its drag-and-drop journey builder, you can design multi-step email flows easily.
• Build audience segments based on behavior and RFM metrics (Recency/Frequency/Monetary) or custom events. For example, target recent purchasers differently from long-lapsed customers. 
• Use dynamic content blocks to personalize product recommendations. CleverTap even offers personalized product suggestion features.
• Trigger real-time emails based on actions like wishlist adds or cart abandonment, capitalizing on intent. 
• Run A/B tests on everything from subject lines to creative variations using CleverTap’s built-in experimentation tools. 
• Throughout the season, monitor performance on detailed dashboards that show email open or click rates and the end-to-end journey impact. 
• Combine email with push notifications or in-app messages for cross-channel campaigns.
• CleverTap also provides holiday-specific templates, so you can launch campaigns faster. 

Start Crafting Your Holiday Emails Today

Christmas marketing emails must incorporate creativity, timing, and personalization. By mixing gift guides, urgency-driven offers, interactive elements, and heartfelt messages, you’ll cater to every customer segment, from bargain hunters to loyal VIPs.

Study real examples from brands mentioned in this blog and test variations of your own. Book a demo with CleverTap to scale these ideas by segmenting your audience intelligently, triggering personalized emails at the right moment, and measuring every click and conversion. Done well, your Christmas email marketing efforts will build lasting customer loyalty for the year ahead.