Holiday Emails: Subject Lines That Get Clicked
During the busy holiday season, inboxes overflow with promotional emails all competing for a shopper’s limited attention. That means your subject line isn’t just important… it’s everything. It’s the single line of copy that decides whether your email gets opened, ignored, or deleted.
At TLH Marketing, we specialise in helping brands stand out during peak shopping periods. Here’s how to craft holiday email subject lines that grab attention, spark curiosity, and drive clicks.
Why Holiday Subject Lines Matter More Than Ever
The festive season brings:
Higher competition
Increased consumer spending
Shorter attention spans
More pressure to find the perfect gift
A compelling subject line cuts through the noise, taps into holiday emotions, and encourages the reader to take action, fast.
1. Use Emotion to Connect
Holidays naturally tap into feelings of joy, nostalgia, and excitement. Subject lines that reflect these emotions feel more human and relatable.
Examples:
“The magic of the holiday starts here ✨”
“Warm, cosy deals just for you”
“Make their Christmas extra special”
Emotion-driven lines increase open rates because they feel personal rather than sales-focused.
2. Create Urgency (But Don’t Overdo It)
Holiday shoppers are time-pressured. A sense of urgency motivates them to act immediately instead of waiting.
Examples:
“Ends tonight: Holiday savings you can’t miss!”
“Last chance for Christmas delivery!”
“Final 24 hours of festive deals 🎁”
Short deadlines + strong verbs = fast action.
3. Offer Clear Value
Consumers want quick clarity. Tell them exactly what’s inside the email and why it matters.
Examples:
“20% off all holiday gifts – today only”
“Your exclusive Christmas discount is inside”
“Holiday gift guide: Our top picks of the season”
The clearer the benefit, the higher the open rate.
4. Use Personalisation Thoughtfully
Adding the recipient’s name or tailoring content boosts engagement, especially when paired with holiday relevance.
Examples:
“Emma, here’s your holiday deal!”
“A festive treat picked just for you”
“Your personalised Christmas gift guide 🎄”
Consumers want to feel seen, not mass-marketed to.
5. Spark Curiosity With Creative Hooks
Curiosity encourages clicks, especially when phrased in a festive context.
Examples:
“This holiday secret is too good to keep…”
“Guess what’s waiting under the tree for you?”
“The gift everyone’s talking about…”
Curiosity + holiday theme = irresistible.
6. Keep It Short & Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of holiday emails are opened on phones. Long subject lines get cut off, losing impact.
Aim for 6–9 words or 35 characters when possible.
Better:
“Your holiday discount is here 🎁”
Avoid:
“This is your exclusive festive offer on all items in our store”
Short = sharp.
Top 20 Holiday Email Subject Lines for Instant Inspiration
Here are ready-to-use, high-performing options:
“Open for holiday cheer 🎄”
“A gift from us to you…”
“Holiday savings you’ll love”
“It’s here: Your festive discount!”
“Last chance for Christmas delivery!”
“Your holiday wishlist starts now”
“Unwrap your surprise 🎁”
“Deals too good to leave under the tree”
“Make their Christmas magical”
“The countdown to savings starts now ⏰”
“Our biggest holiday sale of the year”
“A festive offer just for you”
“Holiday gifts for everyone on your list”
“Don’t miss these seasonal steals”
“Your holly-jolly discount awaits 🎄”
“Lights, savings, action!”
“Holiday favourites are back!”
“The perfect gift is inside”
“Celebrate the season with savings”
“Final festive markdowns – hurry!”
Final Thoughts: Your Subject Line Is Your First Impression
Holiday shoppers are flooded with options, and the brands that win are the ones that communicate clearly and creatively—right from the subject line.
At TLH Marketing, we help businesses craft high-impact email campaigns that cut through the holiday chaos and convert casual browsers into loyal festive buyers.
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