The holidays aren’t just about twinkling lights and peppermint mochas – they’re a battlefield for attention. Every brand is fighting for eyeballs, wallets, and loyalty. If you’re not planning your holiday marketing strategy like it’s the Super Bowl, you’re already behind.
At Ro•Sham•Bo Creative, we’ve seen what works, what flops, and what makes people stop scrolling long enough to actually care. So, let’s break down the holiday marketing game, Rapid City shopping insights, and a few Christmas marketing ideas that will keep your brand from getting lost in the noise.
What Works in Holiday Marketing
Emotionally Charged Storytelling
Holiday ads that hit the feels? They win. Think about the classics – those tear-jerker commercials where a kid surprises grandma or a soldier comes home. People crave connection during the holidays, and brands that deliver that emotional punch dominate.
Localized Insights
Rapid City shoppers aren’t the same as New York shoppers. Here, people value community, convenience, and supporting local businesses. If your holiday branding ignores that, you’re missing the mark.
> Idea: Highlight local partnerships, showcase Rapid City holiday events, and make your ads feel like they belong here and not in some generic winter wonderland.
Interactive Campaigns
Polls, giveaways, and user-generated content crush during the holidays. People love sharing their traditions, ugly sweaters, and tree pics. Give them a reason to tag you.
What Doesn’t Work
Overly Generic Messaging
If your ad looks like every other “Merry Christmas from [Insert Brand],” you’ve wasted your budget. Holiday marketing needs personality quirky, heartfelt, or rebellious. Just don’t be boring…
Ignoring Mobile
Most holiday shopping happens on phones. If your campaign isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re basically ghosting your audience.
Last-Minute Planning
Waiting until December to launch your holiday ads? That’s cute. The big players start in October. If you’re late, you’ll pay more for ads and fight harder for attention.
Christmas Marketing Ideas That Actually Work
Gift Guides with Attitude
Skip the cookie-cutter “Top 10 Gifts” list. Make it fun, make it bold. Think: “Gifts for People Who Hate Ugly Sweaters” or “Stuff Your Punk Rock Cousin Actually Wants.”
Video Ads with Personality
Short-form video is king. Show behind-the-scenes chaos, team traditions, or even bloopers. People love brands that feel human.
Cause-Driven Campaigns
Tie your holiday marketing to something bigger, support a local charity, donate a percentage of sales, or sponsor a Rapid City holiday event. It builds trust and goodwill.
Our Team’s Favorite Holiday Ads
We couldn’t resist sharing a few favorites from the Ro•Sham•Bo crew:
“The commercial where the M&M characters run into Santa and they all exclaim, “He does exist/They do exist”. Such a sweet commercial, with child-like wonder.”
“My favorite holiday commercial has to be the classic Campbell’s Soup ad—the one where a snowman comes inside, warms up with a bowl of soup, and slowly melts into a little boy. It’s simple, heartwarming, and timeless—still gives me all the cozy feels.”
“Watch any football during the holidays and you’ll always see Chevrolet holiday ads, and of course ‘every kiss begins with Kay’, from Kay Jewelers. That’s a forever tagline!”
Bottom Line
Holiday marketing isn’t about slapping a snowflake on your logo and calling it festive. It’s about creating campaigns that resonate, stand out, and make people feel something. Whether you’re targeting Rapid City shoppers or going national, the brands that win are the ones that show up bold, authentic, and ready to break the mold.
Need help crafting a holiday campaign that doesn’t suck? Ro•Sham•Bo Creative is here to make your brand unforgettable. Let’s talk.