Holiday Emails

A Sweet Deal.

This email doesn’t scream ‘Christmas,’ but it invokes just the same sentiments for any special morning. With the undercurrents of Christmas still present in the message, the simplicity of this email makes the content shine. Terrain shows that you don’t need all the bells and whistles associated with Christmas to command attention.

Get it in time with FREE 2-Day Shipping!

Ah, there’s nothing like a last-minute push before the holidays to convert a sale. And Icebreaker uses a little ingenuity to do it. In addition to an enticing offer, Icebreaker includes an animated gif in the email in the form of falling snowflakes. If you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, yet, this email serves as one big step toward that goal! Watch the animation here.

You’re Invited! Details Inside...

I love a good invite, and Zappos.com uses just the right dose of intrigue to persuade recipients to open this email. The clever imagery speaks well to the holiday season, as well as consumers’ ongoing goal to save by shopping on clearance items.

12 Sunday Night Specials + Daily Deals up to 60% OFF

Did someone say specials? That’s music to my ears during the prime holiday shopping season. Michael’s brings its email to life by animating the word ‘deals’ in the creative with Christmas lights. It’s a nice effect – one that doesn’t distract from the message. While this email is lengthy and requires scrolling, the inclusion of an assortment of products is bound to appeal to a wide audience. Watch the animation here.

Save $2 on HERSHEY'S + Cookie Exchange Ideas

It’s not Christmas without a good cookie exchange! Hershey’s creative speaks volumes with this delectable email. The subject line offers a great incentive to prompt clicks. Who can resist a great coupon offer?

Only 25 days left! Stylish scarves & gloves for him

Kenneth Cole knows how to inspire consumers. With this animated gif, the brand shows a posh package being unwrapped before your eyes. Now that’s creative! For emails like this to work, it’s important that the images are turned on and the email is optimized for the environment. Check out the animation here.

Hanukkah Favorites + 4 NEW EZ Recipes

The holidays aren’t just about Christmas. Campbells embraces customers that celebrate Hanukkah with this engaging and colorful enewsletter. The creative does all the talking and the calls-to-action make recipients want to click to try out all of the recipes.

Him. Her. Pets. Everyone. Gifts for all, starting at $6.

During the holidays, I’m always on the hunt for some great gift ideas. Wayfair does all the work for me with this clever message. The eye-catching subject line grabs attention with a low price. The creative is both entertaining and engaging. While the email requires scrolling, recipients need to ensure their images are turned on to enjoy this message to its fullest.

Happy Hanukkah!

Etsy gets it right. In celebration of Hanukkah, the online shopping site adds some creative flair to resonate with its audience. Using appealing creative, there’s no uncertainty regarding the intent of this email. The message format cleverly breaks down gifts by category and provides helpful price points to guide shoppers in their gift buying decisions.

20 Charming Christmas Trees

Who says all Christmas trees have to be green? Coastal Living shows how others ‘do Christmas’ with this stunning enewsletter. The content is not only appealing, but it a refreshing take that nicely illustrates the more creative side of the holiday.

Celebrate 12/12/12 with 12 gifts under $12!

It’s not often that retailers can create a holiday within a ‘holiday’-themed email easily. But Beauty Brands seems to pull it off nicely with this great email.

Shake up the holidays with FREE 2-day air!

Tommy Bahama treats subscribers with this beautifully designed email. Playing off its equally engaging subject line, the retailer shakes things up in the inbox – literally with this email. It includes an animated gif in the form of a shaking snow globe. Tommy Bahama nicely captures the playfulness of the season, making subscribers want to see the email over and over again.Watch the animated gif

Your Holiday Helper

Everybody can use a little help during the holidays, especially during the week before Christmas! Uncommon Goods offers up a helping hand with some catchy animation in the email header with this message. The content nicely divides the brand’s best gifts, so subscribers don’t have to work hard to find what the perfect last minute gift. Uncommon Goods also does a great job offering value, giving recipients the chance to vote on their next best selling product.

 Watch the animated gif here. 

Pinspiration brought to you by HP.

Homemade gifts say it all! True to style, Martha Stewart Living shows subscribers how they can make their own homemade holiday. From cute Christmas tags to kitschy clip art, this enewsletter is a do-it-yourselfer’s dream come true! The social media inclusion with Pinterest really gives this content some legs. This enewsletter illustrates the depth of what marketers can do with holiday emails beyond sales.

Mystery Offer - Save 40%, 30% or 20% - Limited Time Only!

Bath & Body Works uses a good approach to entice subscribers to open its email – a mystery offer. With the potential to earn up to 40% off a future purchase, clicks rates are bound to rise. The creative is genius with the ‘No Peeking’ inclusion. This is one strategy that’s sure to engage and prompt action.

It's not too late - give the perfect gift!

It’s not too often that you come across an email like this in your inbox. That’s why this made the ist. The National MS Society lets subscribers put their feel good hat on with the gift of doing some good through this message. While this may not compare to emails full of dancing elves, the message and content are superb!

Need a last-minute gift? Get 10% off the Harry Potter eBook collection.

In that last push for last-minute gifts, marketers are pushing digital concepts. What better gift that an eBook? This email helps consumers think out of the box for a good gift and offers a host of Harry Potter options. Beyond the holidays, Pottermore smartly extends its communications to include ways to engage with the brand, including via social media and its enewsletter.

Giving Is Greater Than Receiving - Fat Brain Toys - December 11, 2012

Fat Brain Toys truly captures the spirit of the season. It’s the season of giving. While cloaked in a promotional play, this email kindly reminds consumers of that very fact. And in a not-so-disguised manner, it spells out its holiday shipping schedule. This email is a nice approach that breaks up the constant hard sell push and puts the focus where the holiday should be.

Two Great Holiday Offers!

While marketers are busy sending emails to last-minute shoppers, Buca di Beppo takes care to ensure it still provides value to subscribers. The subject touting two great offers entices recipients to open the email. The creative is adds the right finishing touch!

Santa's waiting to send a video message to your loved one!

What’s better than an email from the Big Guy himself? Portable North Pole sends helpful reminders to create a personalized video for loved ones. The subject line quickly captures attention, and the creative is top notch. This is part of my holiday tradition and one I might have missed without this kind hearted reminder!