When should your Christmas Marketing start

November is just a few days away and Christmas isn't far, so when do you think is the best time to start your Christmas marketing campaign? 

Is September Too Early?

Research conducted by us last year showed from a sample of 500, nearly 40% of people start buying their Christmas gifts as early as September. A large number of this even stated they purchase their gifts before this date! So, what do you think? Is September too early to start thinking about Christmas? 

If you work within retail, then September is about the right time, as shops start putting out all their Christmas stock. The same applies to marketers. A Christmas campaign takes a lot of thought and effort meaning that it needs to be considered in advance by marketing departments. For example, if you are planning on sending out Christmas gifts to your clients, then you will need to ensure you have the gifts well in advance of December. 

Our research also showed that just under 45% of respondents purchase their Christmas gifts in October or November time, with just 15% waiting until December to buy their items. There could be a number of reasons for this. Perhaps people have to save up money on a monthly basis to be able to afford Christmas which means they have to start their shopping a bit later. Alternatively, people may start their shopping early to spread out the cost of Christmas. Of course, there is always the possibility that people are either too excited or fed up of Christmas which shows why they shop early or later.

What To Consider When Planning Your Marketing Campaign

If you are working within a marketing department, then there are far fewer factors to consider. You need to consider the type of marketing campaign you will be undertaking for Christmas, and the gifts you will be sending to your clients or suppliers. This will help to determine how early, or how late, you can start your shopping. 

If you are planning on investing in promotional items, then you will want to start your marketing campaign earlier as you need to allow time for the products to be delivered to your office before you can distribute them yourself. Likewise, if you are planning an event, then you will want to start the planning stage earlier. 

So, are you a late Christmas shopper or do you buy your items well in advance? If you are considering using Christmas promotional items in your marketing campaign then we'd recommend you start your Christmas shopping sooner rather than later! Check out our special corporate Christmas gift idea section to find your perfect gift.

Main image from Pexels.com

Written by

Total Merchandise | Editoral Team

Our editorial team is drawn from a pool of experienced promotional merchandise product team members, account managers, marketers and other contributors. With such a wide range of skills and experience, they write about many aspects of promotional merchandise, wider marketing and business matters, as well as company news updates.

Connect with Total Merchandise on LinkedIn Connect with Total Merchandise on LinkedIn

Total Merchandise
Eco Friendly Promotional Gift Ideas

Eco Friendly Promotional Gift Ideas

It’s time for green to go mainstream, people. With more and more businesses becoming aware of their corporate responsibility to become more eco-friendly, it’s really

Our Best Selling Promotional Items: Umbrellas

Our Best Selling Promotional Items: Umbrellas

Promotional Umbrellas have long been one of our most popular promotional items. They are a great giveaway opportunity that offers a large imprint area with high visibility and c

Get Ahead of The Competition with Best-Selling Sports Merchandise

Get Ahead of The Competition with Best-Selling Sports Merchandise

With 84% of Brits having watched some sort of sport on the BBC alone last summer, it's fair to say that we're a nation of sports fans. Whether it was the FA Cup final, W

The Power of Promotional Drinkware: Turning Everyday Hydration into Brand Visibility

The Power of Promotional Drinkware: Turning Everyday Hydration into Brand Visibility

In a world where marketing messages compete for attention across countless digital channels, physical promotional products remain one of the most reliable ways to keep a brand v

Celebrate a Huge Summer of Sport with the Perfect Branded Merchandise

Celebrate a Huge Summer of Sport with the Perfect Branded Merchandise

2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in recent sporting history, and the summer calendar is absolutely packed. From the biggest football tournament on the pla

The Best Promotional Giveaway Ideas for UK Exhibitions in 2026

The Best Promotional Giveaway Ideas for UK Exhibitions in 2026

So, you've got a stand booked at a UK trade show or exhibition - amazing! But here's the thing: you're not the only one. With dozens (sometimes hundreds) of exhibito