Holiday emails are a great example of how to reach out to your customers by capitalizing on widely-celebrated events. According to our State of Sales 2019-2020 report, the busiest period for salespeople is during the holiday season at the end of the year, between October and December, so it’s a good reason to double down on your email marketing efforts during this time and spread some holiday cheer.
Successful holiday emails are usually short, offer good deals and play on their great timing for shopping.
Consumers often rely on these holiday messages for ideas, promotions and offers for their shopping sprees in those specific periods. This undeniably creates business opportunities because customers tend to spend more during the holidays.
Your "happy holidays" emails should contain the following few key characteristics:
A catchy subject line related to the holiday or offer
A clear focus on the holiday you’re sending wishes for
A short intro with your best wishes if applicable
A related promotion to the holiday
A clear call to action that will draw traffic to your business website
Discount codes are often hunted for, especially on holidays, so try to include one if your business model supports it
In this article, we’ll share holiday email templates and marketing tips that you can use throughout the year on different occasions, along with holiday-email-to-client samples, corresponding responsive email templates and ideas for a 2025 holiday message to clients.
We’ll also analyze some great holiday email marketing examples from different industries that should give you marketing ideas about the best practices when sending holiday emails.
Halloween emails: October 31
Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated each year on October 31.
Best known for its spookiness and sweets, it’s a great opportunity for businesses to promote Halloween-themed products. Pumpkins, ghosts, bats, cemeteries, all of these things make for a good Halloween greeting.
Even though you may not be selling candy, you shouldn’t pass on the chance to promote yourself for Halloween. Your customers might expect some kind of a sale or offer and smart copy might just get you that click from your recipient.
Halloween email example
This email plays on the main Halloween themes of spookiness through its design and fonts and promotes its Halloween-themed pumpkin spice flavored liqueur through a CTA.
More importantly, apart from promoting their staple Halloween drink, they add value to their content by giving out a cocktail recipe involving the product itself.
Finally, another CTA invites the recipient to explore similar products and visit their website.
Our two following holiday email templates reinforce the spirit of Halloween through thematic wording and festive emojis in the subject lines:
Halloween email template 1
Subject Line: :ghost: Halloween Book sale X% off :ghost:
Hello [Name],
Don't miss out on our spooky sale of horror books for Halloween.
[Add CTA] Save [X%] on horror and fiction books.
[Add Halloween-related items section with image links].
Not a fan of horror? We got you covered! Use the code HALLOWEEN20 on our website and get 20% off on your next purchase before November 10.
Happy Halloween from [Company Name]!
Halloween email template 2
Subject Line: :bat:Spooktacular Deals!:spider_web: :spider:
[Name], What will it be?
Trick [Add TRICK button] or Treat [ Add TREAT button]? [Both buttons should lead to different offer coupons.]
By shopping in one of our stores from Friday to Sunday, win one of our mysterious prizes! Scary and spooky atmosphere guaranteed.
Check out our spooky offers for a once-in-a-year treat:
[Add CTA] Up to 70% off!
Wait, there's more!
By subscribing to our newsletter before Halloween, you have the chance to win a year-long discount on our website.
Just follow this link and get started on your scariest adventure!
Happy Halloween!
Thanksgiving emails: 4th Thursday of November (US)
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It’s also celebrated in Canada, on the second Monday in October.
It’s a day reserved for spending time with your loved ones and expressing your gratitude. This is a good occasion to highlight your business’s family values and reinforce your relationship with your customers by showing that you’re grateful for their loyalty.
Thanksgiving email example
Clearly highlighting family values, this "happy holidays" email to client sample shows how well-themed copy can be impactful.
They add a CTA to emphasize their involvement and care and simultaneously offer a holiday sale, playing on the customer's emotions.
What follows are two holiday email templates that embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving by thanking the customer and emphasizing the importance of family.
Thanksgiving email template 1
Subject Line: :turkey: The best Thanksgiving dinner with our exclusive offer :turkey:
Dear [Name],
Thank you for being our loyal customer and sticking with us throughout the years.
To express our gratitude, we have a special offer for you on our line of [thanksgiving related items] to help you enjoy the best Thanksgiving dinner with your loved ones.
[Add CTA] See promo
Enjoy your turkey roast, have a Happy Thanksgiving and a great holiday season,
[Your Name]
[Store Name] Owner!
Thanksgiving email template 2
Subject Line: Thank you for your business
Dear [Name],
This holiday is the perfect occasion to let you know that we're thankful for your trust and for your contribution to our growth.
Please accept this gift coupon as our token of gratitude
[Add CTA] Get Gift
Our team and I send you warmest wishes for the holidays and we wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
[Your Name]
[Company Name] Owner!
Black Friday emails: Friday after Thanksgiving
Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. However, many countries now have a Black Friday every year.
It’s best known for the shopping frenzies and often the biggest sales of the year occur on Black Friday (although the following email example and template could also be applied to a “Happy New Year” sale, for example). Specific and limited offers create fear of missing out (FOMO) on a great discount.
Black Friday email example
This Black Friday email example showcases the main features of a Black Friday promotional email.
First, there’s the information that everyone wants to know, which is the discount you’ll be getting.
Next, a one-timer with an even more interesting offer (65% off) on a specific item to catch the attention of the recipient. All of this followed by related items that might interest and give gift ideas to the customer.
Black Friday email template
In our Black Friday holiday email template, we're aiming for FOMO in the subject line, as well as upselling opportunities with additional offers in the email body.
Subject Line: Black Friday discounts – Only 2 days left!⏰
Subject Line: Black Friday discounts – Only 2 days left!⏰
Hi [Name],
The waiting is over and it's finally that time of the year again.
Get on your shopping binge and don't miss this once-in-a-year chance to get 40% on all our lineup of [Different types of products or services you offer] until Saturday morning.
Want more? We got more!
Get our [Staple Promotional Product] at 70% off!
[Add CTA] Go to Sale.
More products you might like:
[Add section with product ideas on special discounts]
Thanks for shopping at [Company name]!
Cyber Monday emails: Monday after Thanksgiving
Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It was created by retailers to follow up on Black Friday and encourage people to shop online.
It’s the online equivalent to Black Friday and offers a chance for smaller retailers to compete with large chains.
Cyber Monday email example
The intent of this Cyber Monday email is clear: It creates the fear of missing out and simultaneously informs the consumer about the pricing discount they will get on checkout.
It plays on the customer’s brand knowledge without clearly giving ideas on what to shop for, instead inviting them to visit the website for more information. In short, it’s a teaser.
Cyber Monday email template
Subject Line: Today's The Day! Cyber Monday Savings Inside!
Dear [Name],
Did you miss Black Friday? We've got you covered!
No need to worry, here's one more chance to save up on our courses and online certificate programs with our Cyber Monday deal.
Take your social media marketing to the next level with our specialized tools:
Product 1:
[Add Image link and description of offer] 50% off social media marketing certificates [Add CTA]
Product 2:
[Add Image link] 30% off Social Marketing classes [Add CTA]
Don't miss out! The sale ends at 5PM on Tuesday.
Christmas emails: December 25
With today’s busy schedules, the Christmas holiday period is hectic and often stressful. You can help alleviate any headaches with a simple happy holidays email.
Banking on time-saving features, gift guides and special gift offers has become one of the best ways for both large and small businesses to attract customers with your email for Christmas gift-hunting.
Christmas email example
This Christmas email marketing promo from Puma has all the traditional promotional offers and season’s greetings, but adds something even more appealing for the customer. Free overnight shipping is a great way to convert sales, especially in the busy Christmas season.
There’s also the usual 50% holiday sale and a section with secondary offers like gift cards that can also be easily purchased if you’re running late on your schedule.
Christmas email template 1
Our first holiday email template for Christmas focuses on quick delivery and good discounts.
Subject Line: Order now – Get it tomorrow – 30% off Christmas special!
Dear [Name],
It must be exhausting running around hunting for the best present in crowded malls and stores. Don't worry, we've got a solution for you!
Order from our online shop now and lighten your busy holiday schedule by getting your items shipped to your door before Christmas!
Enjoy 30% off on all our lineup of products and surprise your loved ones with the gift they deserve.
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
[Add CTA]
Go to SaleCheck out these great gift ideas on special:
[Special Offer section with image links]
Christmas email template 2
This next Christmas email template shows that you don’t always have to promote and offer discounts. Sometimes just holiday greetings and a good word on a special occasion can help you nurture your relationship with your customers. You could also replicate this for the New Year’s holiday.
Subject Line: It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! :xmas_tree:
Hello [Name],
You must have a lot going on today, but we still wanted to drop a note wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
We feel honored to have been of service to you in the past year and can't wait for the next one with new goals and even greater success.
Blessings to you and your family,
[Your name] from [Company name]!
Valentine's Day emails: February 14
It's the day when people show their affection to others by sending cards, flowers or chocolates.
On Valentine's Day, companies can drive their sales up with appropriate ideas and offers for their customers.
Valentine's Day email example
Starbucks pushes its product, coffee, as something that you might consider offering to your romantic partner instead of chocolates or flowers.
As you scroll down, additional offers to draw the customer are one click away.
Valentine's Day email template
Subject line: Get a special gift for your special someone :couple_with_heart:
Dear [Name],
Love is all you need, but offering a gift from our line inspires smiles and kisses.
Browse our offers to find a gift to inspire…
[Add CTA] For Her [Add CTA] For Him
…and surprise your significant other with the perfect gift.
With Love,
[Name] from [Company name]!
Saint Patrick's Day emails: March 17
Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17th, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. Saint Patrick’s Day is a global party, and by using the appropriate imagery, businesses can get into the holiday spirit by being creative and showing their social and fun side.
St. Patrick's Day email example
This whole email design screams Saint Patrick’s with integrations of green, food, rainbows and a pot of gold. Uber Eats banks on the tradition that there will be a lot of drinking and promotes their food delivery service.
Meaning, even if you’re tipsy, food is only minutes away without having to mess about in the kitchen.
Saint Patrick's Day email template
Subject Line: :four_leaf_clover:It's your lucky day!:four_leaf_clover:
Hi [Name],
How are those party preparations going?
Enough green beer in the keg or is it already half-empty before the celebration's even started?
No worries!
Check out our special St-Patricks discount on a wide selection of whiskeys and craft beers [replace with your product].
[Add CTA] Visit our online shop.
Feeling Lucky? Just enter the code LUCKYIRISH and get free overnight shipping on all orders made before 2 PM.
Happy St. Paddys!
From [Company name]!
Easter emails: Date varies
Easter is more than just a major Christian holiday that’s celebrated all over the world. It has been widely commercialized and thus appears to the wider public. It can fall anywhere between March 22nd and April 25th.
It’s also associated with getting presents, hunting for chocolate eggs and the Easter Bunny. Kids nowadays expect a little bit extra than just the plain foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, and therein lies the opportunity for businesses to drive their sales up. Easter-themed toys, clothes or accessories, anything to make those little rascals happy.
Easter email example
What makes this email great isn't only the slick design, but also the interactivity it gives to the user. It invites you to participate in an Easter egg hunt, where the prize is discount coupons for your next purchase.
It also creates a bit of FOMO, highlighting the limited availability of said prizes.
Easter email template
Subject Line: Hop over to our Easter sale – Save x% on your next purchase
Hi [Name],
Before bunnies start hopping in your backyard and you're too busy chasing them, care to check out our special Easter discounts?
Don't hesitate to jump on the occasion and treat yourself for the holidays!
[Add CTA] Get x% Off
Just enter the promotional code EASTERXSALE upon checkout and you're good to go.
Happy Easter from [Company name]!
Earth Day emails: April 22
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
It’s a great day for businesses and nonprofits to show their care for the environment, while at the same time creating upsell opportunities.
Earth Day email example
In this holiday email to client sample, the promotion gives the customer an incentive to buy from the store by playing on their environmental awareness.
No special discounts here, but an occasion to see a tree planted because of your purchase.
This part shows how the company is actively involved in environmental protection and invites the client to also participate just by making a simple purchase.
Earth Day email template
Subject Line: Celebrate the :earth_europe: With [Company Name]
Hi [Name],
To support environmental protection, we're offering a free 100% natural reusable bag with every purchase on Earth Day (April 22).
[Add CTA] Order Online
Or claim yours in one of our shops now [Link to shop locator]
Check our discounted 100% natural products:
[Add products section]
Keep the Earth clean,
[Company name]!
Final thoughts
Throughout this post, we’ve demonstrated how holiday email campaigns can create good ecommerce opportunities for businesses to promote when consumers are willing to spend more.
Additionally, a holiday email mustn’t always be a promotional one. They can serve to reinforce your relationship with your customers, showing that you care for them in those important moments.
We hope our free holiday email templates will serve you well when adapting them to your own marketing campaigns.
