We know. It’s September. The leaves are only just starting to turn, the big coats are coming back out and someone, (not going to name names) has already asked whether it’s too early to put the heating on.
So why are we talking about Christmas?
When it comes to print, the best Christmas campaigns often start long before December.
That doesn’t mean putting the tree up or sending Christmas cards in September. It means doing the thinking now so that when you are ready to start your festive marketing, everything is ready to go and you’re not trying to organise it all at the last minute.
Christmas has a habit of sneaking up on us
Every year, December feels a long way away until suddenly it isn’t and it is a mad rush to get everything ready. For businesses, the run-up to Christmas can be one of the busiest periods of the year. There are customers to look after, orders to fulfil, events to attend, staff nights out to organise and a seemingly endless list of things to finish before everyone disappears for the Christmas break. Adding “sort out the Christmas print” to that list at the end of November probably isn’t ideal.
Planning earlier gives you breathing space. You can think properly about what you need, get your artwork right, order sensible quantities and make sure everything arrives when you actually need it.
Some things simply take longer
This is particularly important when you’re looking at something a little different. Take branded advent calendars, for example. They’re a brilliant way to thank customers or clients while keeping your brand visible throughout December, but they can have a 5–6-week lead time.
If you want them in people’s hands ready for 1st December, that’s something you need to be thinking about well before December arrives.
The same principle can apply to bespoke promotional merchandise and more involved print projects. The more personalised you want something to be, the more important it is to allow enough time to do it properly.
Starting early doesn’t mean marketing Christmas early
This is an important distinction. You don’t necessarily need to start shouting “Merry Christmas!” to your customers in September. Planning early and launching early aren’t the same thing.
Your Christmas campaign might not go live until November. Your cards might not be posted until December. Your festive menus might not appear on tables for another few weeks.
That’s fine.
The point is that they’re designed, printed and ready when you need them. Good marketing often looks effortless from the outside. Behind the scenes, there has usually been plenty of planning. The team at RS Print are already busy sorting our Christmas campaign, so watch this space!
What could you be planning now?
Christmas print doesn’t have to mean sticking a snowflake on your usual leaflet and calling it festive. There are lots of ways businesses can use print during the Christmas period.
You might want Christmas cards to thank customers for their support during the year. A well-designed printed card can feel much more personal than another festive email disappearing into an already busy inbox.
If you’re in hospitality, festive menus, table talkers and point-of-sale materials can help promote Christmas offers, party bookings and seasonal specials.
For retailers and ecommerce businesses, festive packaging, labels, stickers and printed inserts can turn an ordinary order into something that feels much more special.
Gift vouchers can give customers an easy present option while potentially bringing new people through your door in the New Year.
Then there are branded gifts and promotional products, from practical everyday items to something a little more festive.
Finally, Christmas is quickly followed by January, which makes this a good time to think about your 2027 calendars and wall planners too.
Give people something they’ll actually want
If you’re investing in Christmas gifts or promotional products, one question is worth asking:
Will someone actually use this? A useful branded product can stay around long after the Christmas chocolates have disappeared.
A calendar can hang on a customer’s wall throughout 2027. A thermal mug might sit on their desk several times a week. A useful piece of branded merchandise could travel with them to work, meetings or events.
That’s when promotional print starts doing more than simply saying Merry Christmas. It keeps your business visible.
Don’t forget the practical bits
Early planning isn’t just about avoiding stress. It gives you time to think about the details.
Who are you sending something to? How many do you really need? Do you have everyone’s current addresses? Does the artwork still reflect your brand? Will items need to be individually posted? Are there different versions needed for different customers or locations?
Even something as simple as checking your mailing list now can save a lot of head-scratching later.
If you’re not quite sure what you need, starting the conversation early gives us time to talk through the options rather than rushing into something because a deadline is looming.
Christmas is coming…but there’s no need to panic
We’re not suggesting you dig the decorations out of the loft just yet. We are suggesting that if Christmas print is part of your plans this year, now is a very good time to start thinking about it.
Get the planning done. Get the design right. Allow for lead times. Then, when the right moment comes to launch your Christmas campaign, you’re ready.
No last-minute panic.
No settling for whatever is still available.
Just good print, delivered at the right time.
If you don’t know where to start, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
📞 Call Becky on 0116 233 0043 and let’s start planning your Christmas print.
RS Print – Print on a first name basis.
