And as with the BFCM weekend, growing your Christmas sales will mean harnessing the power of email marketing. While this means putting effort into your email design and content, ultimately what will play a large part in the success of your campaigns is your subject line.
25 holiday email subject lines that shine
Email marketing can be one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to promote your business during the holidays. After all, as we’ve called out before, email marketing yields a staggering 4,300 percent ROI! And just as a lovely star atop the tree can transform your Tannenbaum, a sparkling subject line can be just what you need to make your holiday emails merry and bright.
Creating compelling subject lines isn’t easy, especially when you’re also dealing with the time demands of holiday busyness. Here are ideas for seven types of holiday subject lines that will cut through the holiday chaos, tickle your customers’ sense of ho-ho-ho, and make recipients as eager to open your email as they will be to tear into the biggest box under the tree:
Make merry with puns
Alfred Hitchcock once said, “Puns are the highest form of literature.” Although he was probably joking, there’s no doubt that a good holiday pun can grab attention and tickle recipients’ sense of humor. Some of our favorites:
- Season’s Eatings!
- Yule adore our buyer’s wrapping tips
- Happy Challah-days!
- Fleece Navidad
- Cheeses are the reason for the season
Dazzle with discounts
Your customers are probably spending like crazy this holiday season, and they’re looking for a deal. Catch their attention with subject lines that promise discounts:
- We’re feeling very merry. Get 50 percent off your order.
- Get up to 20% off before the ball drops tonight!
Give them a gift
It’s the season of giving, but also of getting. Who doesn’t like to get something for themselves when they’re being so generous to others? Recipients may feel the holiday spirit when they see subject lines like these in their inbox:
- Goody gumdrops! FREE SHIPPING.
- Be thankful, get a coupon.
Share season’s greetings
Here’s a novel idea — a subject line that says you’re reaching out “just because it’s the holidays.” And by the way, here’s your discount/great deal/free shipping, etc. Some winning examples:
- Jingle, Jingle! Our Christmas Shop is Open.
- New Year Savings to Renew You!
Give them useful info
Finding gifts for those hard-to-shop-for friends, preparing a holiday meal when you tend to burn water, trying to wrap presents so they look better than what your toddler could do — the holidays have a lot of stressors. Your customers would really appreciate some help, tips, guidance, and empathy.
- 10 DIY fall wreaths that are way better than a welcome mat
- 3 perfect holiday gifts
Hit them in the feels
Anyone who hasn’t noticed that the holidays are an emotion-filled time needs to sit down and watch a few old holiday TV specials. There’s a lot of giving, goodwill to others, and charitable donating going on, and your customers want to feel good about the good they do. Help them out with holiday email subject lines that tug on their heart strings, like:
- We would have had room in our inn.
- Give them the gift they really deserve.
Spark their holiday spirit
What is it about the holidays? No, really… what is it? Almost everyone loves at least something about the season, whether it’s the solemnity of religious observations, tearing into the gifts on Christmas morning, kicking up their heels on New Year’s Eve, or just spending quality time with loved ones. Of course, it can be easy to forget the things we love when we’re all so busy with holiday chaos. Use your email lines to remind readers what they love about the season with gems like these:
- It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
- Up to 50% bonus — ’tis better to give AND receive!
Successful holiday email subject lines
Need more holiday subject line inspiration? Here are 25 of our favorite holiday email subject lines that have stood out in our inboxes over the years. Draw on them for inspiration as you plan your winter campaigns:
- WillCall: Hey, we made you something for the holidays!
- Chasing Fireflies: Our Magical Holiday Gift Shop is open + Save up to 80% in our Halloween Blowout Sale!
- Shutterfly: We’re feeling very merry. Get 50% off your order.
- Fabletics: Let’s get cozy.
- Omaha Steaks: Wanna get the REALLY good holiday deals this year?
- theSkimm: Winter is (officially) coming.
- BloomThat: It’s all for YOU.
- BevMo!: NEW for November! Delicious Wines for the Fall Season.
- Workshop: FALL STEAM AHEAD: Over 80 classes up & posted, Oktoberfest weekend workshops & CAMP DIY.
- Kabuki Springs & Spa: 3 Tips to Boost Your Immune System this Fall.
- Alternative: First look | Alternative Gift Guide.
- Old Navy: Merry? — We got you a gift…
- Finish Line: The Holiday Gift Guide is here. Game on for gift giving.
- Kayak: Waiting for lower Thanksgiving flight prices? Stop and book.
- UberEATS: Brr — warm up with some free hot chocolate.
- Paper Culture: Need Holiday Photo Card Ideas?
- American Airlines: Holiday deals and steals: Warm up with these vacation savings.
- Tory Burch: Presenting: Tory’s Gift Guide.
- Zazzle Inc: Early Birds Save 50% On All Ornaments & Mugs + 20% Off Everything Else.
- Turntable Kitchen: get ready for holiday entertaining: recipes, cocktails, music recommendations.
- Pottery Barn Kids: ? The BEST gift: 20% OFF anything (TODAY ONLY!)
- World Market: Ho-Ho-WHOA! 50% off Wine Gift Baskets + Holiday Food and Decor. LAST DAY for two HUGE coupons.
- JetBlue Airways: A sale to escape the winter weather!
- Bing Webmaster Team: It’s not too late: Reach more holiday shoppers with your $100 coupon.
- Harry & David: Kim, get a jump on holiday shopping with your Gift History and enjoy free shipping.
As you can see, many of the email subject lines target early bird shoppers looking for gift ideas (gift guides) and getting prepped for the holidays. Focus your holiday email subject lines not only on offering deals and promotions like free shipping and discounts, but also on solving your customers’ problems through gift guides, tips, ideas, extended or special shopping hours, etc.
Whatever kind of holiday email subject line you use, always keep your communications with customers upbeat and easily consumable.
Join 140,000 small business owners
Get expert tips and email inspiration delivered to your inbox every two weeks.
Editor’s note: This blog post was originally published in November 2015 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and relevance.
© 2016 – 2018, Contributing Author. All rights reserved.
50 Awesome holiday and Christmas email subject lines
These festive subject lines have all the ideas you’ll need for catchy Christmas slogans that will boost opens and sales — whatever your business!
1. Be the world’s best St. Nick with just one click
2. Rock the Christmas clock with time-saving gift inspiration
3. Indulge in the joys of personalized holiday shopping
4. Wrap up super savings that keep your stocking stuffed
Preview Text – Our deep holiday discounts make it happen
5. Kick holiday stress to the curb with one-stop shopping for everyone on your list
6. You want and deserve the special secrets to Noel Nirvana
7. Sleigh your Christmas list with these last-minute gifts
8. Even Santa shops our super-saver Christmas deals
9. Push procrastination out the window with super-fun holiday shopping
Preview Text – That’s how much you’ll love our selections
10. Baby, it’s cold outside, so warm up with our holiday gift ideas
11. Super Christmas shopping savings put extra jingle in your pocket
12. Give yourself something you really want this Christmas
13. Discounted elf exclusives add extra joy to your holidays
14. Let the holiday season begin by treating yourself to something special
15. Give great gifts that give back with our incredible Christmas discounts
16. Beat the holiday rush with tips for being a St. Nick in time
17. What are you really dreaming of this Christmas?
Preview Text – Your fondest wishes are on our digital shelves
18. Zip through the holidays with our super-fast elf-checkout
19. Make room under the tree for cash-saving Christmas fun
Preview Text – Deep discounts on everything in stock
20. Take your Christmas shopping over the finish line with time to spare
21. We saved Santa’s best stocking stuffers just for you
Preview Text – He told us how good you’ve been
22. Be an angel this year by giving heavenly holiday gifts
23. Put the shine in your holidays with our sparkling ideas
24. Conquer Christmas shopping while you ring up super savings
25. Dazzling Christmas discounts are our holiday gift to you
26. Secret Santas know how to hook up with Christmas savings
27. These sizzling Christmas deals are hot enough to warm up Jack Frost
28. Do you need a time-out from the holidays this year?
Preview Text – Book your New Year’s Caribbean getaway today
29. Put joy in your world with post-holiday travel discounts around the globe
30. Inspire a kiss under the mistletoe with these romantic holiday destinations
31. Wave at Santa’s reindeer as they go flying by your plane window
Preview Text – Beat the holiday rush by booking your flight today
32. Gift yourself with the Christmas vacation you really deserve
33. Where would you love to ring in the holidays this year?
34. Even Rudolph thinks our holiday travel booking services are the best
35. You can be naughty and still stay fit through the holidays
Preview Text – Learn more about our fitness equipment
36. Get on Santa’s nice list by getting in shape this year
37. How can joining a gym turn into your Christmas vacation?
Preview Text – Make us your fitness home away from home
38. Deck the halls with unbelievable holiday savings
Preview Text – 20% off our entire furniture line
39. Turn your home into a holiday palace with dazzling home decor
40. These Christmas decorating tips make Martha Stewart jealous
41. Celebrate Cyber Monday with deep discounts on all home decor
42. Enjoy fantastic discounts on fabulous holiday fashions
43. Beautiful boots, bows and bells dress up the best holiday wardrobes
44. Ring in the holidays wearing elegant Christmas jewelry
45. Glow like a Christmas angel with our premium cosmetics
46. Fabulous holiday fashion looks so good on you
Preview Text – They look even better with your 20% discount
47. Be Santa Claus for your favorite paws with these pet treats
48. All good dogs and cats deserve stockings stuffed with goodies
49. Check out Santa’s recommendations for your favorite pet
50. Doll up your fur babies for the holidays with our pet grooming services
Try Brevo’s AI subject line Assistant
Working on writing catchy subject lines? Brevo’s AI Assistant is your new best friend. Bring your subject lines to life with the power of AI and make campaigns that stand out in the inbox. Available in our Email editor, learn more here.
Your inner marketing elf smiles with inspiration. You’re ready to craft successful holiday subject lines that turn all your marketing campaigns into absolute winners. Streamline the process with these four simple rules.
1. Address your readers’ pain points
Holiday stress comes with the season. Let your holiday subject lines solve shopping problems, ease insane schedules, and lift sagging spirits. You know what it’s like to face these Christmas pain points:
- Holiday shopping crowds
- Chaotic pre-Christmas schedules
- Hyper kids and out-of-town company
- Impossible holiday travel demands
- Must-have-gifts that quickly sell out
Weaving holiday stressors into the subject line increases open rates. For maximum effect, be sure you’re using realistic pain points, address the recipient as “you,” and offer actionable solutions.
2. Keep character count mobile-friendly
Make your holiday subject line mobile-friendly by keeping it short and sweet. Ideally, it should be between 30 and 50 characters. If you can’t pare it down, give the first 30 to 60 characters plenty of punch.
3. Stay smart with preview text
Your preview text should complement the subject line. Not all email clients display preview text, so don’t use it for essential information. Let your subject line handle the heavy lifting.
And, as you can see in the examples above, don’t be afraid to add emojis to your subject lines for a fun, festive feel!
4. Always make it personal
When you personalize a subject line, it becomes harder to resist. Studies have proven that personalized email subject lines can increase open rates by 50% — so best make the most of them.
If you’re a Brevo customer you can easily apply personalization to your email subject lines and main text using contact attributes.
5 techniques to try for your holiday and Christmas email subject lines
Still at a loss for holiday subject lines that stand out and fit your brand personality?
Write your own using one of the five subject line techniques listed below.
From laughter to gift-giving, take one of these approaches to crafting your own subject line. Just remember to keep the tone is aligned with the email itself.
And if you find yourself with more than one good subject line to choose from, try A/B testing them against each other to determine the best!
1. Come up with catchy Christmas slogans
Humor is a powerful marketing tool at any time of year, but especially when it comes to Christmas taglines.
Fun wordplay and seasonal puns ease recipients’ pain points by distracting them from the holiday stress. Spending time writing clever holiday email subject lines can make all the difference.
Try a joke or a riddle and entice readers to open your email for the punchline. Here are some ideas for Christmas taglines you can put your own spin on:
- Make Cyber Monday Super-Santa Funday
- Yule never believe these unbelievable discounts
- You have to take an elfie with these
- Don’t be a rebel without a Clause
- Why was Rudolph’s nose really so red?
Subject line: The Most WonderFi Guide of the Year
2. Evoke holiday emotions with classic references
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… Song lyrics trigger fond memories every festive season. And they can also inspire evocative holiday subject lines.
From Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” to the TV movie, “A Christmas Story,” the holidays offer a treasure trove of references that resonate with everyone.
Marketing tonality counts here too. For example, your nonprofit’s subject line would probably perform better quoting Zuzu from “It’s a Wonderful Life” instead of John McClane from “Die Hard.”
3. Power up holiday email subject lines with specific messaging
Some email campaigns call for simplicity. It’s a powerful marketing tool because it delivers information that recipients actually need and can use.
Draw them in with holiday subject lines that highlight free shipping. Make sure they know the final date of your Christmas sale. Last-minute discounts, Cyber Monday deals, and deadlines for ordering are great attention-grabbers. Could you resist these subject lines?
- Cut holiday stress down to size with free 2-day delivery
- Jump on these amazing last-minute Christmas discounts
- Stock up on your holiday goodies now before it’s too late
Notice how each example starts with an action verb. Keep this inspirational list handy for powering up compelling Christmas sale subject lines.
4. Give a little bit and get a lot back
When a holiday greeting subject line offers a discount, it’s a type of gift to the reader. Instead of marketing the sale as a benefit, use it to showcase your generosity. Convey a sense of urgency with a “redeem by” deadline.
Try actually giving away something. It’s hard to resist a holiday subject line promising a free present with purchase. Be sure your gift has real value, and always follow through with delivery.
Christmas email campaigns can also serve as platforms for charity donations. For every set amount a recipient spends, you donate a set amount to a worthy cause. Spread the generous word with social media mentions and blog posts. Enjoy doing good for others while elevating brand visibility across multiple platforms.
5. Fire up click-through curiosity by creating suspense
Frame your holiday subject line with a question that speaks directly to readers. Make it specific so that they’ll have to open your email. Rhetorical questions can be fun, but they aren’t as powerful as a straightforward appeal.
- Do you know how much we can save you this Cyber Monday?
Adding a personalized touch of suspense also generates subject line irresistibility. A conversational approach works, but be sure to follow through with the same tone in your campaign text.
- We need to talk about your holiday party plans
Keep reader curiosity in your digital marketing toolbox. It’s one more highly effective way to make subject lines connect with recipients and fire up click-through rates.
For more advice, check out this article on how to craft the perfect holiday marketing strategy!
General Christmas Subject Lines
Looking for a solid all purpose subject line that you can use for holiday and Christmas season? Try out some of these examples.
- Sleigh your Christmas list with these gifts
- Christmas Deals Hot Enough To Warm Up Jack Frost
- Add a bit of joy to your holidays with these deals
- Get on top of your holiday shopping with our gift guide
- Have you been naughty or nice this year?
- Season’s Greetings From…
- Beat the holiday rush with these early offers
- Give the perfect Christmas gifts this year
- See What Santa’s Stocking Up On This Year
- Treat yourself to something special this holiday season
- One click to become the best St. Nick
- Happy Holidays From…
- Get your shopping sorted with these gift ideas
- We’re feeling very merry
- 12 Days of Christmas Savings Starts Now!
- It’s time to get festive!
- It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas
- We have a gift for everyone on your list
- Happy Holidays this Festive Season
- Deck the halls with these savings
- Guaranteed Pre-Christmas Delivery
- Essentials Everyone Should Have On Their Christmas List
- Shop Where Santa Shops
- Prepare for the silly season
- Our Christmas Giftorium Is Open
- No Chimney? No Problem. We Have You Sorted
- Stress-Free Holiday Shopping!
- Awesome Gift Ideas for Xmas
- All She Wants For Christmas
- Unique Gifts For Everyone On Your List
