While most people are soaking up the summer rays, smart brands are already getting their holiday messages and designs ready. Holiday cards, while seemingly traditional, are a powerful tool for brand building, especially when thoughtfully planned out in advance.

In an increasingly digital world, sending holiday cards, whether physically or electronically, remains a significant tradition with substantial benefits. This practice fosters emotional connections by providing a tangible or well-designed greeting that stands out in a digital landscape, nurturing relationships with clients, partners, employees and loved ones. Sharing a thoughtful design and message will spark warmth and goodwill. Holiday cards also serve as a subtle yet powerful tool for brand visibility, gently reinforcing brand identity in a positive and festive light without being overtly commercial. Digital cards offer opportunities for animated branding, clickable links, and shareable content; physical ones provide tactile quality and longevity. Most importantly, they offer an invaluable platform for expressing sincere end-of-year gratitude, acknowledging support and contributions, which is crucial for relationship management and fostering continued engagement. Expressing appreciation shows you value your relationships, not just during the holidays, but all year long. Essentially, holiday cards bridge the gap between digital efficiency and human warmth, proving their continued relevance.

View Ecard Example from 2018 on YouTube

Great designs should never be rushed. From concept to production, creating a standout holiday card requires thoughtful planning, rounds of revisions, team approvals and calculated execution. By starting in August, you give your brand the space to be intentional and creative. You’ll dodge tight deadlines while staying ahead of the holiday rush. Plus, early planning unlocks creative freedom: you can explore elevated touches like custom packaging, hand lettering, digital animations, personalized messages, or even donation links. It’s also the ideal time to coordinate with designers, printers and email platforms, ensuring every detail from layout to delivery is aligned with your holiday goals. 

At PIL Creative Group, we kick off our holiday card planning in August to ensure every project has room to breathe—and shine. By getting ahead now, we give our clients the chance to explore elevated design elements ensuring your message is purposeful, polished, and ready to deliver joy without the December stress.

Schedule a consultation here to talk about your holiday card this year!

PIL Creative Group has had the pleasure of collaborating with Seabourn for several years, contributing to a range of design initiatives across their brand. One of our rewarding projects has been crafting their annual holiday ecard, a tradition that blends elegance with personal connection. Each year, we work closely with their team to develop engaging and elaborative video-based ecards that feel festive, memorable and deeply aligned with Seabourn’s voice. These digital creations are more than greetings; they’re immersive experiences that bring warmth and sophistication to their audience worldwide.

View Ecard Example from 2023 on YouTube

A thoughtful strategy can dramatically elevate your holiday messaging. Consistent branding across both formats helps reinforce your organization’s visual identity and tone, while personalization, whether through handwritten notes or custom email greetings, fosters stronger emotional connections. In digital formats especially, quality design is essential to ensure readability and encourage sharing. Make your cards engaging and include a clear call to action, such as a donation button or website link. This helps drive engagement and creates meaningful follow-through. As a bonus, digital cards offer scalability: they can be repurposed for social media, newsletters or client portals, making them both versatile and budget-friendly.

Physical Holiday Card Example from 2023

Visit thepil.com/contact-us for more information and schedule a consultation to find out how we can bring your holiday visions to life!