Holiday emails to customers can bring good cheer and generate sales. However, it’s also a time when shoppers are inundated with offers and messages. As much as a well-timed and engaging email can strengthen your customer relationships, a poorly timed or cookie-cutter email can fail to captivate.
A Few Keys to Successful Holiday Emails
The closer you get to a holiday, the more emails your customers will see in their inboxes. But, at the same time, if you’re emailing about Black Friday sales before Halloween, you are out of sync with what shoppers need and want.
The best timing for your initial holiday email is usually about a week before the actual event. If it’s a busy time of year, you can schedule your emails, so they send automatically. By contacting them before their inboxes fill up, you’ll get more attention and give your customers enough time to act.
Holiday emails to customers should be festive, inviting, and targeted. Share your good wishes, company or local news, and good cheer first, then add coupons, promotions, and other calls to action.
Remember that at least half of your customers are probably reading your email on a mobile phone. Double-check that the email looks great on mobile and that any sales pages or landing pages are fast and responsive for mobile users.
Use Subject Lines That Pop
Email subject lines are always important, but during the busy holiday season, they are particularly critical and can make or break a campaign. One strategy is to use words and phrases that evoke things people think about this time of year. For example, discounts, savings, free shipping, last minute, exclusive, good cheer, season’s greetings, warm holiday wishes, thank you, appreciation, or your support.
Another strategy to increase your holiday email open rate is to personalize your subject lines with your customer’s first name or another personal detail. Once your subject line is ready to go, you want a template that inspires them to action. To help your small business send relevant and inclusive emails, here are seven free templates for your holiday emails.
1. Gift Guide Email Template
A gift guide email template can be a win-win. It’s an opportunity to highlight what you have to offer while also solving a problem everyone faces during the holidays — how to find that perfect gift.
There are a variety of gift guide emails you can do. You can create them for different targets depending on the audience or what your business offers, such as:
- Affordable gifts (gifts under $50)
- Find the right gift for the important people in your life (gifts for dad, mom, boss, husband, wife, teacher, clients, employees, etc.)
- Gifts for the man or woman who loves [hobby or interest] (gifts for people who love cars or home decor)
- Gift recommendations by age group (gifts for kids, teens, seniors, pets, etc.)
- Gifts by product type (electronics, winter sports equipment, automobile accessories)
You want to target clever, helpful categories and then display a variety of products, highlighting specific items that can spark the shopper’s interest.
This email template does not need to be text-heavy. Include a snappy subject line and maybe a brief intro, but the stars will be the curated products you want to display.
Subject line examples:
- Gifts under $50 that will delight and amaze
- Exclusive gifts your mom will love
- Be a holiday hero with these gifts for kids
- # best gifts for a car guy
2. Gratitude Email Template
Expressing your gratitude can be a wonderful way to connect and build on your customer relationships any time of year, but it packs an extra punch around Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is generally not an email you would use to promote specific products or services, but rather one to generate goodwill and keep your brand name top of mind.
Gratitude Email Example One: Celebration
Subject line examples:
- Celebrating our awesome customers
- Thank you for a fantastic year
- YOU are the secret to our success
- It’s been a bustling year — thanks to you!
Hello [Name] or To our awesome customers,
We extend our deepest thanks for being part of the [company name] community. It’s been a fantastic year. We are celebrating:
sales
new products
five-star reviews
new employees
awards nominations
1 GIANT thanks…
To YOU!
None of this would be possible without your confidence in our
. This is what keeps us excited to come to work each day. You are the lifeblood of [business name], and together, we’re [achieving or reaching goal].We wish you all the best this holiday season and look forward to another great year with you!
Regards,
The [business name] Team
Gratitude Email Example Two: Happy Thanksgiving
Subject line examples:
- This Thanksgiving, our thanks are for you!
- Happy Thanksgiving to our favorite customers
- Our sincere gratitude to our amazing customers
- This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for you
Dear [Name} or To our customers near and far, old and new
We’re reaching out to share our heartfelt appreciation for a wonderful year. We are thankful for all of your support throughout 2022.
We wish you the best this holiday season and the year to come.
Regards,
The [business name] Team
Gratitude Email Example Three: Happy Holidays
Subject line examples:
- This holiday season, we celebrate you
- Warm holiday wishes from [business name]
- Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday!
- Wishing our favorite people a happy holiday
Dear [Name] or To our customers,
May your days be filled with peace, hope, and joy this holiday season.
As always, thank you for your business, loyalty, and support.
Sincerely,
All of us at [business name]
3. Event Invite Email Template
Whether it’s a sale you don’t want them to miss or an annual customer appreciation party around the holidays, this event invite email template helps get them through the door.
Subject line: You’re invited! [Event name] at [location] — [date]
Dear [Name] or To the [business name] community,
[Customer pain point 1]? [Customer pain point 2]? [Customer pain point 3]?
If so, you won’t want to miss our [event name] at [event location]! On [Day, date, time], We can’t wait to share with you:
• [Benefit 1]
• [Benefit 2]
• [Benefit 3]
We look forward to seeing you!
Regards,
[business name]
Second Invite Email Template
For those customers who didn’t register after the first email, you can use this template to nudge them again.
Subject line: It’s almost here! Don’t miss [event name] on [date]
Hi [Name] or To the [business name] community,
[Event name] is only [X] days away! It’s gearing up to be an exciting [day/night], including:
• [Benefit 1]
• [Benefit 2]
• [Benefit 3]
[Event name]
[Day, date, time]
[Location]
See you there!
Regards,
The [business name] Team
4. Exclusive Discount Email Template
You can help your customers check off their list of holiday gifts or indulge themselves with special discounts, coupons, and offers. This email is for an exclusive offer only for people on your email list.
Subject line examples:
- Inside: Exclusive holiday offer
- [Time frame of offer] only: [Specific offer here]
- Get [discount amount] off of your favorite
- Treat yourself to a gift this season
Hi [Name] or Dear Customers,
[Customer pain point or product-relevant desire]. That’s why we’re offering a special discount [for the time frame] to our loyal customers:
For [time frame] only, get [offer]!
[Benefit of product or service] at a fraction of the price!
This exclusive offer is for our loyal customers only. We know you have a lot to do this season, and we appreciate your support this year.
Whether or not you take advantage of this offer, we wish you the best holiday season and year to come.
Regards,
The [business name] Team
5. Black Friday or Cyber Monday Email Template
People who shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday can choose from many different sales. To stand out, it’s best to keep your promotion simple and visually impactful. Insert the text for this template into on-brand graphics.
Subject line examples:
- A sale you won’t want to miss
- The only Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale you need
- This Black Friday/Cyber Monday, walk away with a
- If this sale doesn’t amaze you, we don’t know what will
The Biggest Sale of the Year Is Here
Black Friday[Cyber Monday]
Up To X% Off
Insert brand name and logo
With exclusive deals like these, why not wrap up your holiday shopping early?
Shop Now or [Time & Address]
6. Book Your Service Email Template
Aside from the frenzy of gift shopping, November and December can be slow for a lot of people. It’s an excellent time to remind your customers to schedule a meeting or a service.
Subject line examples:
- Book your annual [service] before it’s too late!
- Now is a great time to get [service] done before the end of the year
- Have you had your [service]?
- Before the festivities begin…
Dear [Name] or Dear Customer,
The end of the year is approaching fast, but there’s still time to get your annual [service]! Our schedule fills up quickly this time of year, so we encourage you to book your appointment today.
Click here to schedule online or call us at [number].
Already got your [service]? You may want to consider:
- Alternative 1
- Alternative 2
- Alternative 3
Enjoy the season, and see you soon!
Sincerely,
The [company name] Team
7. New Year Email Template
New Year is the last quiet moment before the year’s business ramps up again. Suppose you have yet to send a gratitude email in November or December. In that case, the new year can be an excellent opportunity to thank your customers and celebrate the past year’s successes.
Subject line examples:
- Celebrating our awesome customers
- Thank you for a fantastic year
- Big Thanks, and Happy New Year
- New Year, New Opportunities
Hello [Name] or To Our Customers,
Happy New Year!
Wishing you good times, good cheer, and a memorable New Year.
All of us at [business name] appreciate your business, loyalty, and support this past year. We hope to see you again soon in the new year!
Regards,
The [business name] Team
New Years Meeting Invite Email Template
The new year is also an outstanding opportunity to encourage your customers to take positive and proactive action on something they may have been neglecting or putting off. Here are two examples.
Subject line examples:
- Are you ready for 2023?
- Enjoying a quiet moment at the office?
- I/We can help you make the most of 2023
- New year, new [client’s name or client’s company name]…
Hello [Name] or Dear Customer,
If you’re like me, you’re ready to start the new year with a bang. I’d love to talk to you about how you can [results you can deliver to clients, such as “achieve more in 2023 with less effort]. I’ve got some ideas I’d love to run by you.
Grab some time on my calendar here: [Insert calendar link]
Regards,
[Your name]
New Years Meeting Invite Email Template 2
Hello [Name],
Thanks to [economic situation, current event, or trend], [business area, strategic focus] will be a major focus in 2023 for companies of [client’s size] in [client’s industry]. How does [client or client’s company] plan to capitalize on this change?
I’d love to discuss how you can make the most of this opportunity. Grab some time on my calendar here: [Insert calendar link]
Regards,
[Your name]
Need Help Building Your Email List?
Customers that have opted-in to your email list want to hear from your business. Holiday emails are a great way to build on the existing relationship and drive sales during the final quarter of the year.
If you’d like to build your opt-in email list or drive more customers to your website or through your doors, J&L can help. Contact us today.
