We love the fourth quarter! In this season of goodwill and holiday cheer, the direct mail pieces and digital ads in our mailboxes reflect so many of the things that we personally treasure about the holidays. Follow along to see some of our favorite aspects about the festive season reflected in creative.
Warm Smiles
Happy faces are warm and welcoming, inviting consumers to get in a merry mood, start shopping and give gifts that share the joy.
LOL Funnies
Brands that bring a sense of humor into the holidays make shopping fun! It’s a pleasant surprise to see creative that pushes the envelope and inspires a jolly ho-ho-ho.
Festive Inspiration
Furniture and home décor brands bring the holidays home in more than one way. Yes, they suggest ideas for gifting. The exquisite styling in the room scene imagery gives consumers ideas for decorating and entertaining in their own homes as well.
Holiday Feasts
‘Tis the season when food brands (and consumers!) are putting it all on the table. Food is a gift that always fits, and for the holiday host or hostess, it can make entertaining easier. Showcasing delectable treats in holiday promotions leads to sweet sales.
Sparkle & Shine
Even casual get-togethers go a little glitzy during the holidays, prompting fashion and accessory brands to portray their most festive looks. These brands set the stage for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve bashes with their most holiday-worthy offerings for every occasion.
Family Time
Brands that focus on the family share the warmth and love of the holiday season. Highlighting pjs, shirts, swimwear and coordinating canine couture gets the wheels turning on new family traditions.
Seasonal Saving
The perception of value is important, even to affluent consumers shopping with premium brands. Percent-off offers and free shipping statements on covers help establish a strong perception of value. When customers feel like they’re saving some of that holiday jingle, they’ll often put a few more items in their cart!
Gift Guidance
Brands know that consumers shop differently during the holidays. In this whirlwind of a season, they have lists to check off, need gift ideas and have deadlines to meet! Accordingly, brands in the mail around Thanksgiving and beyond presented themselves as gift headquarters by giving their direct mail “Gift Guide” titles.
Me-Time
When there are so many great gifts out there, we can’t help but treat ourselves to a bit of self-gifting! Brands are a step ahead on this trend, with creative that highlights the ways to show yourself a little love, while shopping for the other names on your list.
Digital Creative – Sale Bells Ring, Gift Guides, and Shop All Season Long
Consumers were on the hunt for the best sales this holiday season! Brands made sure their digital creative gave shoppers a good reason to buy, using effective design elements – from bold text overlays and joyful, yet urgent copy to bright eye-catching colors and product-focused grids. Some ads kept it simple and text-only, letting the offer speak for itself. Others showed off their assortment, encouraging shoppers to explore further.
Retailers shared their holiday gift guides offline and online, inviting consumers to click and be inspired to shop for friends, family, and themselves.
While there was unsurprisingly a push to spend over the Black Friday Cyber Monday period (view our blog on BFCM creative here), some brands wanted to let consumers know that the opportunity to shop would be available all season long! However, this came with a friendly reminder that the holidays are fast approaching, and orders should be placed in time for Santa to get presents under the tree.
You, Belardi Wong client, are also one of our favorite things! All of us at Belardi Wong thank you for your outstanding partnership in 2023, and we look forward to a strong 2024 together. Keep us in mind if you need creative support. From complimentary creative reviews to full-service direct mail creative production, we’re here to help propel your brand’s success. We hope you enjoyed this colorful retrospective of our favorite creative from this holiday season.
