Advertising Christmas in July

The sun, the surf, BBQs, and – Santa Claus? ‘Christmas in July’ can revitalize your ad strategy at the year’s halfway mark, appealing to those who may be burnt out on sizzling rays and wistfully longing for their favorite cozy season.

Ad rates are at their highest during the actual holiday season, so why not get a jump on your competitors and start cultivating that holiday goodwill in your audience now? There are many ways to summon up that holiday magic, but one of the surest strategies is having the right soundtrack. Universal Production Music’s licensing solutions give you access to a huge library of music to use in your media productions, helping you conjure crackling fireplaces and good cheer no matter what the thermometer says.

Before you register to find your next sound, check out these tips on how to effectively harness the nostalgic power of a midsummer Christmas celebration.

Lean into dreamy escapism

While the real holiday season might be all about cherishing the moment, Christmas in July is about escapism. In the hot and stagnant summer air, your audience might want to be anywhere but the moment. This is why it’s best to go over-the-top with the holiday cheer; you want to transport your audience. Don’t hold back with the rich, tinsel-y textures and bright traditional colors. Listen to our festive soundtracks for July as you compile your mood board. It’s no time for subtlety.

Have a tangible hook

Simply referencing Christmas isn’t quite enough to catch audiences’ attention these days, especially when every social media manager is looking for any trend to hop onto. Go beyond aesthetics, and have a distinct, interactive holiday-themed hook.

Here are some cheery promotions and calls to action to include in your Christmas in July campaign:

• Pre-holiday gift guides - Remind folks that it’s better to get the bulk of shopping done earlier in the year so they have more time to relax when they’re inundated with holiday celebrations at the end of the year. Sweeten the deal with free shipping or discounts on gift guide items.

• Tie a promotion in with a charity drive - While this is a great idea for any time of year, people closely associate charitable actions with the holiday season.

• Encourage your fans to do a social media dance challenge to a specific holiday song - Listen to our seasonal favorites and get brainstorming on some accessible but fun moves that ideally relate to or show off your product. The musical choice is key; it’s easier to get your audience to meaningfully engage with a song they already associate with a million warm memories.

• Create holiday-centered merchandise if it’s a natural fit with your brand - Bonus points if it represents a distinct summer/winter crossover for extra novelty value.

• Push yourself beyond “Christmas in July” - After all, there are a few different traditions celebrated at the end of the year. How about celebrating “Halfway to Hanukkah” or “Kwanzaa in Kokomo”? Be inclusive while standing out from the crowd.

Spend your music budget wisely

One of the best things about holiday music is that large swaths of the recognizable songbook are in the public domain, and thus cost effective to use in advertising. If you don’t want to blow the budget on your mid-year marketing push, these are popular songs you would not need an additional mechanical license to use in your ad:

• Jingle Bells

• The Twelve Days of Christmas

• Deck the Halls

• Joy to the World

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

• Silent Night

While the lyrics and music of these songs are under public domain, you would still need a sync license for specific versions used in media productions.

Don’t be afraid to take chances

At the end of the day, it’s all about making an impression. A twist on a classic song can give your ad verve. A remix of a well-known song, an acoustic version of a song that’s usually electric, or a synthy cover of a traditionally minimalistic song could all pique people’s interest.

Just remember that the most important part of any holiday-themed marketing push is authenticity and emotion. Learn more about our ready-to-use Christmas songs and start imagining where your holiday fantasy is going to take your audience. With Universal Production Music’s library, you’ll leave them with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.