The holiday season is a golden opportunity to connect meaningfully with your audience, and video marketing has become one of the most effective methods.
Video has a unique ability to evoke emotions, convey stories, and create lasting impressions. During the holiday season, when consumers actively pursue inspiration for gifts, celebrations, and personal indulgence, video content stands out as a medium to grab their attention amidst the seasonal noise.
For example, 56% of Gen Z users turn to TikTok for holiday shopping ideas, attracted to its snackable content that shows products in relatable and entertaining ways. On the other hand, 29% of Boomers in the US rely on Facebook, where they can explore videos conveniently and familiarly.
Beyond reaching audiences, video marketing drives deeper engagement. A well-crafted holiday video can evoke nostalgia, highlight the warmth of the season, and build a sense of connection with your brand.
Incorporating video into your holiday marketing strategy is necessary because your consumers crave experiences, and videos provide a dynamic way to deliver them. Adopting this medium can inspire your audience, build trust, and drive sales during the most important shopping season of the year.
In this article, I’ll share eleven creative holiday video ideas to help you spark engagement, connect with your audience, and significantly boost sales. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Thank-you videos
Thank-you videos are a meaningful way to show appreciation during the holiday season. They’re not just about marketing; they’re an opportunity to express genuine gratitude to the people who make your success possible.
A thank-you video helps strengthen relationships by showing your audience that you value them beyond transactions. For customers, it’s a way to acknowledge their loyalty and trust in your brand. Meanwhile, for employees and partners, it’s a chance to celebrate their hard work.
To make your thank-you video memorable, focus on authenticity. Write a personal message that reflects your brand’s personality, whether that’s friendly, formal, or somewhere in between. On top of that, featuring candid moments like clips of your team or community highlights can make the thank-you video more genuine and relatable.
2. Holiday product showcases
Holiday product showcase videos highlight and position your products as must-have gifts for the season. Using them, you can present your offerings in a cheerful context, inspiring viewers to regard them as thoughtful presents for loved ones, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
These videos work so well because they can tell a story. Rather than listing features, you can show your products in action to help viewers visualize how they fit into their own celebrations. For example, a comfy sweater can be the perfect gift for a chilly evening or a kitchen gadget could star in one or more preparation scenes for a holiday meal.
For more festive product showcases, incorporate holiday-themed visuals and music. Think twinkling lights, cheerful decorations, and seasonal soundtracks, as these set the mood and help your viewers associate your company brand with the joy and cheer of the holiday season.
Last but not least, your product showcase video should include clear calls to action to guide viewers through their next steps, such as visiting your site or purchasing via a holiday promo.
3. Behind-the-scenes holiday prep
Behind-the-scenes holiday preparation videos bring your audience closer to your brand by showcasing the human side of your business. These videos offer a peek into the work, creativity, and fun that got into making your seasonal programs and decorations.
By inviting your audience into these moments, you cultivate a sense of genuineness that will resonate with your viewers.
This type of content makes your brand seem more approachable and relatable. People love to see the effort that goes into creating products or services they enjoy, especially during a season filled with warmth and togetherness. Hence, a video of your team hanging ornaments, wrapping gifts, or brainstorming holiday ideas can make viewers feel like your business is part of their holiday experience.
Authenticity is critical for behind-the-scenes videos, and raw, natural moments resonate more than polished, heavily edited content. These videos can be posted on platforms like Instagram and TikTok or in email newsletters for a personalized touch that reminds viewers of your business’s effort to create something special for the holidays.
4. Customer stories or testimonials
Customer stories or testimonials are one of the most powerful types of video content you can share, especially during the holiday season. Such videos emphasize real-life experiences to show how your products or services have made a difference for your customers. By sharing authentic voices, you build trust with potential customers and reinforce the value of what you offer.
During the holidays, people often search for gifts they can trust, and seeing someone else’s positive experience can make all the difference in their decision-making process. A sincere testimonial from a satisfied customer validates your brand and adds an emotional layer that resounds during this festive and sentimental season.
Remember, real people talking about genuine results or experiences create a connection that a polished ad simply cannot replicate.
Incorporate seasonal visuals and themes to make customer stories or testimonials more effective. For instance, a video featuring a customer discussing how your product brought joy to them could be paired with cozy holiday backdrops, lively music, or footage of your product being unwrapped.
The human connection is crucial when creating testimonials. While you can guide customers on key points to mention, their words and emotions should feel natural and unscripted. For added depth, you can compile multiple testimonials into a montage, showing a variety of voices and experiences. This approach both adds richness and highlights the broad appeal of your brand.
5. Holiday greeting animations
Holiday greeting animations are a creative way to spread festive cheer while engaging with your audience. Unlike traditional videos, animations stand out with their colorful, playful, and often memorable designs, making them perfect for capturing positive attention for your brand.
Animations are versatile, allowing you to produce a message that fits your brand’s personality. If you want to differentiate your business, animation offers an excellent opportunity to do something fresh, exciting, and unexpected.
Creating a holiday animation doesn’t have to be complicated. Tools like Adobe Express or Canva make it easy to design animated cards or short clips, even for those without a solid background in design.
A professional animation team can help bring your vision to life for more intricate or polished projects. However, pre-designed templates or simple DIY tools can yield impressive results if you’re working with a tight budget. The key is to focus on delivering a sincere and aesthetically pleasing message that resonates with your audience.
6. Team spotlights or year-in-review videos
Team spotlights and year-in-review videos are compelling ways to showcase your company’s journey and highlight the people behind its success. The holiday season, with its focus on reflection and gratitude, provides the perfect backdrop for this type of content.
Sharing stories about your team’s achievements, milestones, and even fun moments infuses your brand with a relatable, human element.
Begin by identifying key highlights from the year—such as successful projects, community initiatives, or company growth—and incorporate them into a story that resonates with your audience. It’s also advisable to include personal touches, like glimpses of team traditions or holiday festivities, that provide warmth and authenticity to your message.
Lastly, conclude your video with a heartfelt message of appreciation and best wishes for the new year to create an emotional connection that leaves your audience feeling inspired and ready to continue the journey with your brand into the coming year Once your video is done, distribute it using social media, email campaigns, and your website to maximize reach.
7. DIY or “how-to” holiday videos
DIY or “how-to” holiday videos are powerful ways to engage your audience while providing practical value. These videos tie directly into the holiday season and align with your brand, making them great ways to capture attention and inspire creativity.
Whether showcasing Christmas-themed uses for your products or sharing helpful ideas for holiday preparation, such tutorials resonate with audiences and drive meaningful interactions. They thrive because many people actively seek ways to liven up their Christmas celebrations.
Clarity is essential to any successful DIY or “how-to” video. Utilize close-up shots for details and wide shots for context, and pair step-by-step explanations with a festive backdrop and Christmas music to keep the content engaging. Showcasing how your products or services simplify holiday tasks or solve problems adds more value, so this is also recommended.
Share your DIY/”how-to” videos on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to reach different audiences. Facebook works well for older viewers, whereas TikTok and Instagram attract younger ones, with the former resonating better with Gen Z.
8. Countdown or advent-themed campaigns
Countdown or advent-themed video campaigns are a dynamic way to engage your audience and build excitement throughout the holiday season. These campaigns use a series of videos leading up to a specific holiday, giving your followers a reason to check back daily and keeping your brand in focus.
Tailor the content to your brand and audience.
For example, if you run an e-commerce store, a “12 Days of Deals” series can show exclusive discounts on popular items, creating urgency and driving sales. A home décor brand might offer daily holiday decorating hacks. Meanwhile, a food business could share festive recipes or tips.
Use consistent branding with lively visuals, recognizable themes, and a shared tone across videos to make your campaign cohesive and memorable. Keep the videos short and engaging, perfect for platforms like Instagram Stories, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels, where viewers prefer quick, snackable content. In addition, features a series of team messages, behind-the-scenes moments, or heartwarming customer stories for a more personal touch.
Countdown campaigns create anticipation and spark excitement by delivering fresh content over several days, turning passive viewers into loyal followers. Plus, the daily format gives you multiple opportunities to highlight your products or services creatively.
9. Charitable initiatives or community engagement videos
Charitable initiatives and community engagement videos are a strong way to connect with your audience during the holidays by showcasing your brand’s commitment to giving back. Stress your team’s involvement in activities like toy drives, food donations, or volunteer work, and emphasize the tangible impact—such as meals served, funds raised, or gifts delivered.
Focus on storytelling that shows real results to make your contributions relatable and inspire viewers to take action. Beyond that, pair the video with a straightforward call to action, like encouraging donations or participation, to further strengthen its overall reach and impact.
Share these videos during peak holiday engagement times to maximize their impact. Tailor the content for each platform—use short, emotional clips for Instagram and TikTok and longer, in-depth stories for YouTube or Facebook. Also, make sure to highlight behind-the-scenes moments or interviews with team members to make the initiative feel personal and authentic.
10. Holiday trivia or fun facts videos
Holiday trivia of fun facts videos are lighthearted and engaging ways to connect with viewers during the holidays. These videos can entertain, educate, and spark curiosity, making them highly shareable. By incorporating trivia or fun facts related to your brand, products, or even industry, you can highlight your expertise while remaining true to the season’s holiday theme.
Your content can include surprising tidbits about holiday traditions, quirky seasonal statistics, or insights tied to your business. For example, a coffee brand could share the origins of eggnog lattes or festive coffee customs around the world. Conversely, a retail business may delve into the history of gift wrapping or the rise of certain holiday trends.
Visuals play a key role in making trivia videos attention-grabbing. Use vibrant animations, playful text overlays, or cheerful backdrops to make the information pop. Pair the content with holiday-themed music to amplify the festive feel and entertain viewers.
When creating these videos, consider your audience’s platform preferences.
Short, snappy clips work well for Instagram or TikTok, while a more detailed exploration can be better suited for YouTube or Facebook. Simply put, your goal is to share content that is easy to digest and enjoyable to watch, sparking curiosity and encouraging shares.
11. Live streaming holiday events or promotions
Live streaming holiday events and promotions lets you connect with your audience in real-time.
From hosting a live product demo to conducting a Q&A session, live streaming fosters genuine interaction, which significantly increases engagement and trust. Additionally, this direct form of communication allows viewers to directly ask questions, make comments, and interact with your business in ways that pre-recorded videos simply cannot.
What makes live streaming stand out is its immediacy. It creates a sense of urgency that prompts people to tune in because they know the content won’t be available later. This is particularly effective during Christmas when consumers are looking for timely offers and last-minute gift ideas.
Choosing the right platform for live streaming is crucial. Instagram Live, YouTube, and Facebook all offer different strengths depending on your audience. Instagram Live is ideal for quick, interactive sessions, while YouTube is perfect for longer, more detailed broadcasts.
Promoting your live event ahead of them is another essential step. Teasers, countdowns, and announcements on social media can create buzz and increase anticipation. Letting your audience know when and where to tune in builds excitement and ensures people show up.
Create engaging holiday videos with SplitMotion
The holiday season is the perfect time to connect with your audience, and video marketing is a great way to do it. With creative and engaging videos, you can garner attention, encourage action, and leave a lasting impression during one of the busiest times of the year.
The holiday video ideas above can help you share your brand’s personality and celebrate the season, from thank-you messages to live-streamed events. Whether your goal is to boost sales, build trust, or distribute some festive cheer, the right video can make a significant impact.
When planning your holiday videos, imagine yourself in your audience’s shoes and consider what they’ll enjoy. Create content that fits the season, keeps their attention, and describes how your brand can improve their holidays. When done correctly, your holiday videos will strengthen your connection with viewers far beyond the holiday season.
If you’re ready to take your holiday marketing to the next level, SplitMotion can help. We create videos that bring your ideas to life and connect with your audience.
