8 Holiday Video Ideas to Help You Reach Record-Breaking Sales

It’s time to get into the festive spirit.

After all, it’s never too early to start thinking about your seasonal marketing campaigns.

In an era where attention spans are fleeting and online content is ever-evolving, the allure of seasonal videos is hard to ignore. Whether it's the joyous jingles of Christmas, the vibrant hues of Diwali, or the heartwarming traditions of Thanksgiving, these videos have an extraordinary ability to captivate audiences and create lasting connections.

But what is it about this visual and auditory spectacle that makes it such a compelling content format which influences 55% of purchases during holiday seasons? Join us as we unwrap the layers of this phenomenon and explore why seasonal videos have become the most engaging and cherished medium for sharing the festive spirit.

Why do holiday videos drive business results?

Everyone loves a reason to celebrate. When it comes to winter festivities, gift-giving becomes a huge part of our lives, with droves of people looking for the perfect present for their loved ones. It’s for this reason that brands put so much effort into their seasonal marketing videos.

These videos tend to be short content pieces that are specifically created to capture the essence and spirit of festive occasions. They’re designed to evoke emotions, spread joy, and resonate with viewers during special times such as Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Diwali, Hanukkah, and more. And with 43% of US consumers starting their holiday shopping before October, there’s a lot of competition out there to get your message across.

8 examples of our favorite holiday videos

Looking for a bit of inspiration? Here are some of our most-loved holiday videos.

Commercials that tug at our heart strings

Because there’s nothing like using emotional storytelling during the festive period.

1. Disney - The Gift

Disney is well known for the magical experiences they provide for children and adults alike, and this advert is no different. The series follows Nicole and her family as they prepare for a new arrival to their family during the festive season. But while Nicole starts out nervous for the change, the spirit of Disney helps her embrace it.

2. Amazon - Joy is Made

Amazon seemingly sells anything and everything to audiences around the world. In their ‘Joy is Made’ advert, they’ve chosen to show how even seemingly unfestive items, like a paper shredder, can be used to bring Christmas joy to their customers. You might want to get some tissues before watching this one.

3. Coca-Cola - Christmas Always Finds a Way

Coca-Cola are well known for their Christmas videos and this is another classic to add to their list of successes. In their ‘Christmas Always Finds a Way’ commercial, we see a stressed and panicked man cooking a Christmas meal for his family with a helper by his side. But all is not as it seems, with a  sad but sweet twist at the end to make this video ad more memorable.

4. GTA - Share Happiness

We all know that Thanksgiving is about sharing and being together as a family, but this can be a tricky message to promote for some brands. GTA, a leading telecommunications company in Guam decided that instead of directly advertising their services, they wanted to emphasize the significance of personal interaction during Thanksgiving in their ‘Share Happiness’ commercial. The advert highlights the family’s smartphones being left untouched on a table as everyone celebrates together. A truly touching visual that gives off a powerful message to viewers about what’s really important.

Commercials that make us laugh

Humor is a great way to drive your message home during the holiday season. Here are some examples of the funniest holiday videos ads we’ve seen.

5. Dollar Shave Club - Dad Bod

Dollar Shave Club are always out to get us laughing with their hilarious and quirky adverts, and we love this example released in time for Father’s Day. Taking a spin on the term ‘dad bod’, we see a selection of men of all shapes and sizes showing off their moves to create a truly memorable and absurd commercial.

6. Interflora - Worst Day Ever

Forgotten to get your loved one a gift this Valentine’s Day? You’re probably not alone, but Interflora aren’t letting you off that easily. Their ‘Worst Day Ever’ advert pokes fun at the ridiculous lengths some people will go to appease their partners, along with the perfect solution.

7. NYC Tourism  - Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal

Released for Thanksgiving just after 9/11, this advert was designed to start bringing tourism back to New York City. But instead of using a stark or emotional storyline, they thought humor was the best way to do it. And they got it completely right!

8. BMW - Road Home

Have you ever accidentally given someone your prized BMW? No? This advert shows just how easily it can be done, with hilarious consequences.

While these videos are all incredible, it’s worth noting that holiday videos aren’t just for big TV commercials. They can also be used on a much smaller scale, such as on social media to promote products or showcase new deals. All they need is a touch of that festive cheer to make them more visual and appealing at that time of year.

Here’s a great example from ADSmith, showing that all you really need is a Christmas sweater, some jingle bells and a whole lot of lip synching talent.

8 tips for creating the perfect holiday video

Now that you understand the value of holiday videos you’re probably thinking how can I do this myself?  It’s easier than you may think! Here are our top 7 tips for making holiday videos engaging and memorable to drive revenue this festive season.

1. Define your message

No matter what type of holiday video you are planning to make, you’ll need to start by identifying the core message for your audience, with themes that align with your brand and that season. Whether it’s joy, gratitude, giving or togetherness, make sure your video’s content and visuals reflect this theme consistently.

2. Tell a story

Did you know that 71% of customers recommend a brand based on their emotional connection to it? People love stories, and a holiday video is the perfect opportunity to tell one. Create a brand story and narrative that will resonate with your target audience, captivating viewers and evoking emotions. This will help make your brand more memorable, with characters and plots that tie back to your product or service. An engaging script is paramount to getting it right. Take a look at our guide to help you achieve this.

3. Showcase your product

While storytelling is essential, don't forget the primary goal of the commercial: showcasing your product or service to help increase revenue. Make sure to integrate your offering seamlessly into the narrative, demonstrating how it enhances the holiday experience or solves a specific problem.

4. Keep it concise

Remember that people’s attention spans are limited, so keep your video relatively short - typically around 30 seconds to 1 minute. Put your focus on delivering your message succinctly while maintaining a clear and engaging storyline.

5. Focus on quality

Although we’d love to say that the message is all that matters when it comes to a good seasonal video, a high-quality video is absolutely key to engaging your audience. Use quality visuals, crisp audio and good editing software to help your holiday video sparkle with dynamic effects, transitions and your branding resulting in a  polished look that reflects positively on your brand’s image.

6. Don’t forget the soundtrack

Remember that video isn’t just about moving images, but also the music that goes along with it. You want to pick something that ties into your message, helping to bring your story to life and leave a lasting impression on your audience. It’s also really important to include subtitles for viewers who are either watching on mute, or who have hearing difficulties. This makes sure that anyone and everyone watching can get involved in your narrative.

7. Create a strong call-to-action

End your video with a strong and clear call to action. Whether it's visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter, guide viewers on the next steps they should take after watching the video.

8. Promote your video

When you’ve finished creating your masterpiece, it’s time to promote it. Share it anywhere and to everyone to get your audience’s attention. Consider where your audience spends the most of their time and make sure to include your social media platforms, website, and email marketing campaigns in your distribution mix. Research has found that 51% of people are more likely to share video with their friends than any other type of content, so you want to make sure they have the best chance of finding it! You could also consider paid advertising to extend its reach further.

Capture hearts and shares this holiday season with videos made on PlayPlay

Do you want to create an amazing holiday video, but aren’t sure where to start? PlayPlay's video maker has just the tools you need. Our software allows you to make studio-quality videos in a matter of minutes, with a range of holiday templates set up and ready to go. Our library of ready-made screens and video templates have been designed to give you everything you need to create something unique, memorable and perfect for your brand.

Want to find out more? Request a demo today or try it for free for 7 whole days.