The holiday season is hands down one of the most exciting times of the year for brands, and influencer marketing has become an absolute game-changer for those looking to stand out during this busy period. As more and more people turn to social media for gift ideas, recipe inspiration, and holiday tips, influencers have become the key players in making those connections. When done right, influencer campaigns not only generate excitement and brand awareness but can also lead to a big boost in sales. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five incredible holiday marketing campaigns powered by influencers that helped brands shine during the festive season. Let’s dive into the magic of influencer marketing and how it created holiday magic for these brands.

Why Influencer Marketing Works So Well for Holiday Campaigns

The holiday season is a time when consumers are flooded with all kinds of promotions. From the moment Halloween wraps up, we’re hit with endless ads, emails, and social media posts all promising to make our holidays brighter. So, how can a brand stand out in all that noise? This is where influencer marketing really makes an impact.

Influencers have built loyal followings by sharing their authentic experiences, which means their recommendations feel more genuine. In fact, according to  TheIndustry.beauty, many beauty brands saw a significant boost in engagement and sales during the last holiday season thanks to their influencer partnerships. By collaborating with influencers, these brands were able to cut through the noise and connect with their audience in a way that felt more personal and relatable.

But it’s not just about promoting products. These influencer marketing campaigns tap into the emotional side of the holidays, allowing brands to connect with consumers on a deeper level. Whether it's the joy of gift-giving, the excitement of preparing a holiday meal, or the nostalgia of festive traditions, influencers help bring these meaningful moments to life. 

The message is clear: brands that tap into influencer marketing during the holidays are far more likely to build stronger connections with their audience and see a real boost in sales.

5 Standout Holiday Marketing Campaigns Powered by Influencers

Let's take a look at five holiday marketing campaigns that really stood out by using influencer marketing to boost engagement and drive sales. The following campaigns got it right, showing how influencer partnerships can make a real impact and help brands connect with consumers in a meaningful way during the festive season.

1. Advent Calendar Campaigns: A Holiday Marketing Powerhouse

During the holiday season, advent calendars have evolved far beyond their traditional chocolate-filled origins. Today, they have become one of the most engaging formats for brands looking to create anticipation, spark daily interactions, and drive continuous traffic throughout December. For influencer marketing, they are especially powerful: the day-by-day reveal mechanic translates perfectly into social media content and encourages followers to come back every day to see what's next.

Influencers leverage this format by unboxing products, sharing reactions, and integrating each daily item into their lifestyle routines. This creates a blend of authenticity, repetition, and excitement—three ingredients that strongly impact purchase decisions during the holiday season. As a result, advent calendars consistently outperform other formats in engagement and conversion during the festive period.

Alo Yoga’s 2025 Advent Calendar – Wellness, Lifestyle, and High Engagement

Alo Yoga has rapidly become one of TikTok’s most visible brands during the holiday season, thanks to creator unboxings of its advent calendar. This year, influencers across the fitness and wellness community have shared videos featuring Alo Yoga’s daily items—ranging from skincare and accessories to cozy lifestyle pieces.

What makes this campaign stand out is how naturally influencers integrate the products into their routines:

• Pre-workout essentials,
  
  
• Post-yoga relaxation items,
  
  
• Winter comfort pieces.

The calendar’s premium aesthetic also performs exceptionally well on TikTok, where “reset routines,” “wellness check-ins,” and “holiday self-care” are trending themes. The result is steady, organic buzz driven by daily micro-content rather than one-off sponsored posts.

LEGO’s Floral-Themed Advent Calendar – A Creative Twist Inspired by the Botanical Collection

Another advent calendar gaining attention for 2025 is a floral-themed LEGO advent calendar, inspired by the viral LEGO Botanical Collection. While not part of LEGO’s traditional character-focused holiday line, TikTok creators have been sharing unboxings and speculation around a “LEGO Flowers” concept calendar circulating this season.

The appeal is clear:

• It blends creativity with aesthetics,
  
  
• Taps into the massive TikTok community obsessed with cozy crafting,
  
  
• And bridges the gap between adult hobbyists and younger audiences.
  
  

Daily builds in soft, nature-inspired colors fit perfectly with ASMR-style videos and “creative unwind” routines. This type of content aligns with a broader 2025 trend: calming, visually pleasing holiday activities that contrast with the hectic pace of the season.

Sephora’s 2025 Beauty Advent Calendar – High-Impact Micro-Tutorials

Sephora continues to dominate the beauty advent calendar space, and 2025 is no exception. Beauty creators are showcasing the calendar in daily micro-tutorials, each featuring one product from behind the next door. These short clips often include:

• Swatches and texture tests,
  
  
• Day-to-night makeup transformations,
  
  
• Quick skincare routines using that day’s sample.
  
  

What makes Sephora’s advent calendar especially effective for influencer marketing is the natural incentive for daily posting. Each reveal becomes a new piece of content, keeping audiences engaged for the entire month and often driving followers to purchase before the calendar sells out.

Nutella-Themed Food Advent Calendars – Comfort, Nostalgia, and Shareable Moments

Food advent calendars are increasingly popular, and one of the most frequently shared on TikTok for the 2025 season is a Nutella-themed advent calendar. These calendars—often produced by third-party confectionery brands but centered around Nutella portions or Nutella-inspired treats—tap directly into nostalgia and comfort-food culture.

Creators typically share:

• Cozy holiday breakfast ideas using the daily item,
  
  
• Plating aesthetics and “morning routine” videos,
  
  
• Family-friendly unboxings that highlight the joyful, indulgent side of the holidays.
  
  

Because Nutella already has strong emotional resonance, the advent calendar format amplifies that sentiment, making the content highly shareable and feel-good.

2. Target’s 2025 Holiday Home Collection – “Cozy Living” Influencer Campaign

Target’s holiday home collections are a recurring seasonal hit, and for 2025, creators on TikTok and Instagram are already featuring the brand’s new “Cozy Living” line. The campaign focuses on warm-toned décor, affordable home accessories, and small-space holiday styling.

Influencers are producing content such as:

• “Holiday home makeovers on a budget,”
  
  
• “Cozy bedroom resets featuring Target’s 2025 collection,”
  
  
• “Small-apartment Christmas décor ideas with Target finds.”
  
  

This strategy leverages lifestyle creators who specialize in attainable, relatable inspiration—aligning perfectly with Target’s brand positioning.

3. Amazon’s 2025 Holiday Deals Influencer Push – “Gift Ideas Under $25”

Amazon’s seasonal influencer push for 2025 is centered around bite-sized gift guides that creators can share through Amazon Storefronts. TikTok and YouTube Short creators are highlighting curated lists like:

• “Holiday gifts under $25,”
  
  
• “Tech gadgets trending for 2025,”
  
  
• “Amazon home essentials perfect for last-minute gifting.”
  
  

Influencers often show real-use demos rather than static recommendations, building trust and driving impulsive purchases—especially during Amazon’s December lightning deals. The affiliate component makes this campaign especially attractive for creators, increasing participation and reach.

4. Macy’s 2025 Holiday Parade & Shopping Campaign – Creator Access + Behind-the-Scenes Content

Macy’s iconic holiday parade remains a central cultural moment, and in 2025 they are expanding influencer involvement. Creators invited to behind-the-scenes events share:

• Exclusive parade rehearsal footage,
  
  
• Styling content with Macy’s holiday clothing lines,
  
  
• Gift-guide videos featuring Macy’s top 2025 products,
  
  
• “Day in the life at the Macy’s Parade” vlogs.
  
  

This approach blends traditional broadcast media with digital creator culture, helping Macy’s bridge generations and stay relevant among Gen Z shoppers.

5. Coca-Cola’s 2025 “Holidays Are Coming” Influencer Campaign

Coca-Cola’s “Holidays Are Coming” commercial is one of the most iconic and recognizable holiday ads in the world. The moment the red Coca-Cola trucks appear on screen, many people consider it the official start of the festive season. For 2025, the brand is amplifying this cultural tradition through a creator-driven strategy that brings the ad’s nostalgic atmosphere into social media environments where Gen Z and Millennials spend most of their time.

Influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are using the classic Holidays Are Coming visuals and soundtrack as inspiration for festive content that blends modern creativity with emotional nostalgia. The focus is not on product placement but on tapping into the cultural ritual that Coca-Cola has built over decades.

Creators are producing content such as:

• “It’s officially Christmas” reaction videos the moment the Coca-Cola truck ad resurfaces each year.
  
  
• Aesthetic holiday reels recreating the glowing red lights and wintry scenery from the commercial.
  
  
• Behind-the-scenes style vlogs at Coca-Cola truck tour stops, holiday markets, or city light switch-on events inspired by the ad.
  
  
• Family or couple holiday moments using the soundtrack to evoke warmth, tradition, and togetherness.
  
  
• Creative transitions and edits that mimic the magical lighting of the Coca-Cola trucks arriving through snowy streets.
  
  

The 2025 influencer campaign works because it harnesses the emotional weight of a global holiday symbol. Rather than reinventing the narrative, Coca-Cola invites creators to reinterpret it through their own personal lens, making the campaign feel simultaneously nostalgic and current. This approach strengthens the brand’s seasonal presence while ensuring that the “Holidays Are Coming” ritual remains relevant and shareable for a new generation.

Key Takeaways for a Successful Holiday Marketing Campaign

As we've seen with today's holiday marketing campaign examples, the festive season is the perfect time to create campaigns that feel personal, engaging, and full of warmth. With so much noise from all directions, the key to standing out is making sure your campaign connects with your audience in an authentic and meaningful way. Whether it's through influencer partnerships, heartwarming content, or seamless shopping experiences, here are some key takeaways for running a successful holiday campaign:

• Partner with influencers. Influencers have built strong relationships with their audience, and when they recommend products, it feels more like a personal suggestion than an ad. Working with the right influencers can give your campaign a boost in excitement and authenticity.
• Be authentic. Consumers are looking for real connections, especially around the holidays. Influencers who share their genuine holiday experiences and traditions with your products will build trust and resonate deeply with their followers.
• Simplify the shopping experience. Make it as easy as possible for people to shop for your products by using affiliate links, special promotions, or even live shopping events. A smooth shopping experience means more purchases and happier customers.
• Connect emotionally. The holidays are all about tradition, family, and joy. Align your campaign with these emotions to create a connection that goes beyond just selling products.
• Measure your success. Don’t forget to track the results of your campaign. Whether it’s engagement, sales, or traffic, measuring crucial KPI goals helps you understand what’s working and where to improve.

At the end of the day, the best holiday marketing campaigns are the ones that make your audience feel something special. When you hit the right emotional notes and make shopping easy, you set the stage for a successful holiday season.