Unwrap The Secrets To Elevating Your Holiday Brand Activations

Everywhere we look, holiday activations are in full swing. This time of year is full of hustle and bustle (and brands competing for their audience’s attention), so our team is gifting you some of our favorite strategies to help your brand authentically join the holiday cheer, stand out from the crowds, and build long-lasting connections.

Here are four key strategies to take your holiday activation from simply fun to unforgettable. Get ready to capture your audience’s attention—and, more importantly, their hearts!

1. THINK BIG?

The holidays are a time where imagination and wonder can flourish and run wild. To make an impact with your holiday activation, look for ways to capture the essence of childlike wonder. The holidays are a perfect time for your audience to feel in awe of a big world that’s full of possibilities!?

Our “Joy.Fully” activation for Walmart gave families of all ages the chance to immerse in the wonder of the season by exploring three larger-than-life snow globes. The Coco Factory (a hot cocoa bar with all the toppings), Gift-O-Matic (a gift dispensing globe), and Joy.Full.Studios (a photo booth to capture and print family photos), created a wonderland of surprise and intrigue—a perfect way to evoke hope and joy.??

2. THINK BRIGHT?

Light up the season! A cornerstone of the winter months and major signifier of all-things holiday spirit, playing with the holiday tradition of candles and bright, twinkling lights is a key way to add dimension and impact to holiday brand activations.??

The holiday drive-through activation we created for a global tech company provided the perfect opportunity to get creative, and light up the night with a vibrant spectrum of color. The guided journey took the tech company’s employees and their families through a bright and festive world, celebrating cultures and traditions around the globe. Designed with synchronized in-car music, the event built upon the tradition of holiday lights to illuminate the senses and create fresh sparks of heart-warming elation.?

3. THINK SWEET?

They say that happy bellies mean happy hearts—whether they’re right is up for debate, but what we do know is few things draw people in faster than the smell of fresh cookies in the oven. Sweetness is central to the holiday season—from laughter and hugs to tasty desserts. By truly embracing special, little moments—like sharing a sweet treat together—brands can serve up delight.??

For Subway’s first-ever pop-up restaurant—Subway Cookieway in New York—we gave Subway cookie fans an entire winter weekend to enjoy their favorite treat and take some sweet photos. The event inspired countless genuine smiles and authentic, intimate moments of connection. At a time when your audience wants to feel comforted and inspired, incorporating thoughtful treats can remind them that—when shared—life’s collection of sweet bites can add up to something pretty extraordinary!??

4. THINK MEMORABLE?

Overall, creating a memorable connection is your goal. While there’s a myriad of ways to do that, one of our favorites for the holiday season is immersing audiences in already-treasured memories, so they can share them with loved ones in exciting new ways! Nostalgia has a way of immediately putting a smile on people’s faces and making them curious for more. By creating environments that fully immerse guests in beloved classics, you create an atmosphere full of excitement, bonding, and engagement.??

Sam’s Club wanted to put smiles on their customers’ faces by creating a holiday wonderland for guests and their families to play, connect, and experience the magic of the season. The “Merry Express” took families to a wonder-filled train station where they could meet with Santa, play reindeer games, and unwrap joy with a giant claw at the gift grab. The event gave families the chance to re-experience and pass down their favorite traditions in new, exciting ways—sparking wonder and cheer for all.??

However you activate next holiday season, remember that at its core, the season is about hope, connection, and sharing joy that lasts. From all of us here at Pinnacle—may your holidays (and brand activations) be sweet, special, and full of cheer!?