Well, yes. It’s true that every year the holidays seem to sneak up on us earlier and earlier. Halloween is not yet behind us, but if you walk into any retailer or supermarket, you’ll already see pumpkins being replaced by wreaths.
The holiday season keeps getting bigger, better and longer every year. But this year, even though the pandemic may change how we celebrate, messages of the season — gratitude, family, peace and hope — are more important than ever to send and receive.
Each year, we help our clients with unique holiday greetings and/or gifts from their company or organization. Sending something special from your business is a wonderful way to surprise and delight your clients, creating a joyful, memorable impact. In the words of Carol Buchner, “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Sending a successful holiday greeting starts with planning, and whether you send a Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year’s card and/or gift, the time to start is right now.
Here is a holiday greeting checklist to get you started:
- Determine which holiday you wish to send for, and choose your mailing date;
- Craft your theme or message and consider what you want to send (postcard, folded card, gift, etc.) Elements can help with this;
- Once you select a theme and have an idea of what you wish to send, set a budget;
- Check your mailing list to make sure it’s current;
- If you’ll be working with a printer or mailing house, contact them to inform them of the project and check with them on timing;
- Create your final schedule and task list;
- Source items needed and place orders (pay attention to delivery times and shipping costs);
- Send any items needed out to print (cards, mailing labels, etc.);
- Sign cards, assemble, etc. and deliver items to mailing house or post office.
This time of year, it seems like the floodgates open; without warning, there are holiday marketing campaigns everywhere with businesses rushing to cash-in on a spending frenzy. There are holiday emails, social media posts, and TV ads — it might seem like holiday marketing is out of control, but some brands do it very well.
How? Well, these brands create campaigns that actually delight customers instead of adding to holiday noise. They evoke emotions and promote sharing — sometimes even connecting people with their loved ones — or partnering with a charitable organization.
Great holiday campaigns come in many different shapes and sizes but the goal should be to make your clients / customers feel good, evoke emotion and have a lasting impression of your business.
Below are a few of our favorite Elements’ holiday gifts and promotions you can use to fuel your own holiday ideas. Please give us a shout if you need help generating a unique idea or to design something special! It’s needed in 2020 more than ever.
—Amy
