When to Start Marketing for Christmas and the Holiday Season

If you’re wondering when to start marketing for Christmas and the holiday season, the short answer is: start now. The best results come from planning in the summer and launching teaser ad campaigns in early fall, but it’s not too late to create a strong strategy that captures shoppers before the peak rush. Most consumers begin their holiday shopping, or at least list making, in September and October, so your marketing should already be in motion to take advantage of this early wave. By starting today, you can still build momentum, show up where your customers are searching, and position your business ahead of the holiday noise.

Your Christmas Marketing Timeline (Starting Mid-September)

Here’s a practical roadmap for when and how to launch your holiday campaigns:

September

• Create and finalize strategy and timeline for your holiday goals

• Build your marketing calendar with promotions, ads, and content

• Start creating social media, email, and blog content

October

• Launch teaser campaigns and early-bird promotions

• Run brand awareness ads to capture early shoppers

• Begin building momentum toward Black Friday and holiday sales

November-December

• Roll out main campaigns and peak promotions

• Push harder around Black Friday and Cyber Monday

• Keep running targeted offers for late and last-minute shoppers

Why Starting Holiday Marketing Early Matters

Early Shoppers Are Already Looking

Research shows that a growing number of consumers start holiday shopping in early fall. They're building their lists, and keeping an eye open for items that fit those people. A lot of consumers have already booked their Holiday hair and nail appointments to ensure they get in before large events. If your marketing only begins in late November, you’ll miss out on customers who already bought elsewhere.

Build Momentum Before the Noise

Holiday marketing is loud and competitive. Starting earlier gives your brand the chance to stand out, build authority, and create consistent touchpoints before customers are flooded with other ads. Research shows it can take 5-7 impressions for someone to recognize a brand and 7-13 touchpoints (or even more for cold prospects) before a lead converts. With holiday shopping early and the competition heating up, every extra touchpoint you earn by starting in September or October counts.

Reduce Last-Minute Stress

Planning ahead means higher-quality creative, stronger offers, and less scrambling when the season gets busy.

Gain a Competitive Advantage

Even global giants like Coca-Cola market heavily at Christmas because they know timing matters. How do you think they became so synonymous with the Holiday Season?! If the biggest brands still push hard during the holidays, smaller businesses can’t afford to miss the season.

Holiday Marketing Strategies That Work

1. Multi-Phase Campaigns

Run holiday campaigns in waves:

• Create your plan (September)

• Early-bird promotions (October)

• Peak shopping pushes (November)

• Last-minute offers (December)!!

This way you capture every type of shopper, from the planners to the procrastinators!

2. A Holiday Marketing Calendar

Keep yourself and the team on track with a detailed plan for content, emails, ads, and promotions. A calendar prevents missed opportunities and ensures consistent visibility every month leading up to the Holidays.

3. Flexibility in Your Approach

Holiday marketing moves fast. Be ready to pivot your strategy, messaging, or ad spend based on what’s actually driving sales. The brands that adapt in real time see the strongest results.

Holiday Marketing in Central Alberta

Local businesses have an even greater opportunity: community connection. While large companies fight for attention globally, small and mid-sized businesses in Red Deer and Central Alberta can lean into personal touch, trust, and relationships.

In fact, we wrote recently about whether Meta Ads are worth it for small businesses. The same principle applies to holiday marketing; with the right timing and strategy, your ads and campaigns can deliver a powerful return.

Ready to Plan Your Holiday Marketing?

The holiday season can feel overwhelming, but with the right timeline and strategy, it can also be the most profitable time of year for your business.

If you’re a business owner in Red Deer, I’d love to sit down with you to review your digital marketing strategy. Fill out the contact form today to book a free in-person digital marketing evaluation. Let’s find the opportunities to grow your reach, boost engagement, and make your holiday marketing a success!