Why Summer is the best time to plan Christmas Marketing

5 Christmas Design Trends to Use in Your 2025 Campaigns

Why did I use a sun umberella? Well, you should start planning your Christmas campaigns in the summer. The Christmas season is the biggest opportunity of the year for many businesses, but standing out in a sea of red-and-green promotions takes more than just adding a Santa hat to your logo. Design is what makes your marketing memorable, emotional and worth clicking. Another good reason to start the planning in the summer is - time. These things can take time and sign-offs from various stakeholders – better to be prepared now.

Thinking about the look and the designs. I have got you, here are the five design trends you can use in your 2025 Christmas campaigns to stay fresh, festive and effective.

1. Bold minimalism over clutter

Consumers are overwhelmed during the holidays, so clean, bold visuals win.
Think one strong headline, a hero image, and clear festive accents instead of overloading your design with snowflakes and ornaments. Minimalism communicates confidence and helps your offer stand out.

Design tip: Pair a simple gold or deep red background with a single, striking festive element (like a bow, wreath or sparkle).

2. Non-traditional colour palettes

Yes, red and green are classics, but audiences are drawn to something fresh.
Expect to see muted pastels, icy metallics, and even neon brights in 2025 Christmas campaigns. Brands are leaning into colours that align with their identity while still nodding to the holidays.

Design tip: Try pairing soft lilac with silver or navy blue with champagne gold for an elegant seasonal look.

3. Motion & micro-animations

Animated ads outperform static ones and Christmas is the perfect time for a little sparkle.
From snow gently falling on your website banner to a twinkling CTA button, motion adds life and catches the eye in crowded feeds. There are plenty of stock annimations out there especially if your budjet won’t stretch to original designs. Lyons Creative can suggest how image libraries and royaly-free stock can work for you.

Design tip: Keep animations subtle and smooth; the goal is festive elegance, not distraction.

4. Storytelling through illustration

Hand-drawn and illustrated elements are making a comeback. They add warmth and authenticity, perfect for campaigns that want to feel personal rather than corporate.

Design tip: Use illustrated gift tags, sketchy icons, or even a custom “holiday doodle” pattern as part of your brand’s seasonal look. I know a few brilliant illustrators such as Amy from inkypics.

5. Consistency across all platforms

The most effective Christmas campaigns aren’t just pretty, they’re cohesive.
Your audience should recognise your campaign instantly, whether they see it in an email, Instagram story, or storefront banner. I do go on about this as it is important that when you show up, potential clients recognise you. In fact, I did a talk about it.

Design tip: Create a festive “brand kit” early (colours, fonts, motifs) and apply it everywhere, social, email, ads, packaging, and even in-store signage.

Final Thoughts 🎁

Christmas marketing isn’t just about selling — it’s about creating a feeling. When your designs are fresh, festive, and consistent, you connect with your audience on an emotional level and drive results.

💡 Want custom Christmas designs tailored to your business? I can help you prepare early so your campaigns are ready to shine before the holiday rush. Let’s talk