2025 Holiday Campaigns That Made Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel The Magic
December 23, 2025
From a doodle coming to life to booby-trapped nostalgia, like Santa on Christmas, these brands' marketing campaigns delivered holiday magic that made us laugh, cry, and feel all the festive feels at once.
We’re breaking down some of the top Christmas campaigns of 2025 that absolutely slayed (or should we say, sleigh-ed…) and what marketers can learn from them to create a little holiday magic of their own.
Home Instead - Home, But Not Alone
Nothing says “holiday classic” Home Alone. Home Instead’s campaign transported viewers back to the 90s featuring a funny and heartwarming ad with a familiar face. The story reinforced connection, care, and reminded us that nobody needs to spend their holidays alone, no matter how many paint cans or feathers there are.
Why it worked:
Perfectly balanced entertainment with the brand’s heartfelt message
Tapped into viewers’ emotions with nostalgia making the story deeply resonate with the audience
Seamlessly aligned with the brand’s values of connection and care
Starbucks - Starbucks for Life Merrython
Starbucks has proved that there is no better combination than coffee and the holidays. Their holiday campaign combined in store experiences and limited edition merch, with their returning Starbucks for Life game allowing users to challenge friends, earn points, and win exciting prizes while exploring iconic cities and landmarks (all while sipping their lattes).
Why it worked
Gamification made participation fun and shareable.
Limited time prizes added urgency and excitement.
Turned everyday coffee runs into interactive, fun experiences.
Disney - Best Christmas Ever
Disney, the master of storytelling that we know and love, introduced an animated short film capturing the imaginative world of a child while emphasizing that true holiday magic comes from kindness and connection. The campaign even encouraged kids to participate as Disney asked them to submit doodles of their own for a chance to be featured on the Time Squares Magic Billboard.
Why it worked:
Focused on storytelling rather than traditional advertising.
Engages audiences with exciting tech and audience participation.
Balances heartwarming emotions with playfulness and creativity.
Key Takeaways
So what did we learn from all this?
Emotion is everything: make your audience feel something whether it’s nostalgia, joy, or even the mischievous glee of Kevin McCallister when setting up his burglar traps.
Memorable experiences matter: Gamification, relatable moments, and interactivity will ensure you’re remembered once the holiday decorations come down
Reflect your brand: all the bells and whistles don’t mean anything if you aren’t being genuine and authentic to your brand.
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