56 special events to inspire your December newsletter ideas
Harmony, Customer Education Specialist and Arnold, Social Advertising Specialist
Love it or hate it, December is a content goldmine for your email campaigns. And it's not just about tinsel and New Year's Eve!
Yes, the repetitive festive songs are playing, and you need to layer in that Christmas and New Year's joy. But the smart marketer knows there's a lot more going on.
From the Winter Solstice to Green Monday, we've got plenty of fresh end-of-year newsletter ideas and inspiration to make your campaigns stand out.
Zip up your puffer jacket—or put on your shades, depending on the hemisphere 😎—and let’s sleigh-ride into these 53 December content ideas.
Remember that relevance is key. Pick events that relate to your business in some way—even if it is as simple as adding a P.S. to remind your readers of the special day.
Bear in mind that some of these days hold special cultural and/or religious significance, so if you choose to refer to them in your newsletters, remember to be sensitive and considerate.
Use this as a guide to help plan your email newsletter calendar for December. We encourage you to experiment and to keep it Lite!
Our 7 hand-picked newsletter ideas for December
1. Cyber Monday newsletter (December 1, 2025)
A promotional event for e-commerce businesses, Cyber Monday is a day when people are encouraged to do their shopping online with special deals and discounts.
Newsletter idea: Encourage people to check out your online shop (hint: you can now create and sell digital products and subscriptions directly in MailerLite)
Baggu gets creative with their Cyber Monday email graphics by using eye-catching designs that point your attention to the big sale.
2. Hanukkah newsletter (December 14, 2025 - December 22, 2025)
This year, the Jewish festival starts on December 14 and draws to a close on December 22, with candles being lit and people sharing traditional games and meals with their loved ones.
Newsletter idea: Wish all of your subscribers a happy Hanukkah and suggest 10 ways they can share the love during this holiday season
That’s exactly what Aftershokz did in their Hanukkah newsletter. They even included a festive menorah GIF to celebrate with all of those who observe the holiday.
3. Christmas newsletter (December 25)
A religious and cultural festival celebrated by people worldwide, Christmas is a time to gather the family, exchange gifts and eat a special meal together, with special traditions including Santa Claus, Christmas trees, carol singing, holiday sales and more.
Newsletter idea: Set up a Christmas campaign with a time-sensitive coupon and gift guide in the run-up to the big day, along with a festive GIF to catch the eye
In this Christmas email example from BarkBox, they promote their treat boxes as the perfect gift for dog parents—approved by Vince the beagle!
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Looking for more Christmas newsletter ideas? Check out this holiday email marketing guide below.
4. Boxing Day newsletter (December 26)
Celebrated the day after Christmas, Boxing Day is known for its big sales—although it originated as a day to offer gifts to the poor. Some countries (including Germany, Poland, Romania, Scandinavia and the Netherlands) also celebrate the 26th as a second Christmas day.
Newsletter idea: Encourage your subscribers to give back this Boxing Day by listing some relevant nonprofits
In this newsletter example, J. Crew uses the humorous slogan “Get yourself the things they forgot - we won’t tell” to share their Boxing Day discounts.
5. New Year’s Eve newsletter (December 31)
This is a time to welcome in 2026 with big parties and dazzling fireworks, and make those New Year’s resolutions.
Newsletter idea: Share your—or your business’—goals for 2026, along with special offers to get people excited about the coming year, or share a year-in-review newsletter
In the spirit of newness, &Open shared a special gift to help their subscribers “welcome in a brand new year”.
6. Year-in-review newsletter (Any time during the month)
The end of the year is the perfect time to look back at the previous 12 months and share what made the year special.
Newsletter idea: Share your most popular blog articles, social media posts, memories or products. You’ll give these popular pieces a visibility boost while letting readers access your best content.
The Athletic’s Best of 22 newsletter was packed full of the year’s biggest and best stories.
7. Christmas offers (Any time during the month)
The holiday season is the time for giving, so why not gift your subscribers a big discount on your products?
Newsletter idea: Create a daily deals newsletter for the holiday season. Choose a different deal each day and promote it to your subscribers. Make the offer limited to the day of the email so people know they have to act fast.
Pro:Direct Soccer’s Christmas daily drop newsletter contained big deals each day in the run-up to Christmas.
30 captivating December email subject line examples
Ensure your emails get the opens they deserve! These December email subject lines are the inspiration you need to make your messages stand out in the inbox.
Stop everything, your holiday freebie is inside 🎁
We’re not waiting for January: Your pre-resolution plan is here
Your cozy blanket checklist: How many are you missing? 🧣
We checked the nice list, and you definitely deserve this.
Our gift to you: 5 tricks for surviving your in-laws
Need a last-minute gift? We’ve fixed your forgetfulness
The only thing melting is the snow (not our big sale) ❄️
Did you say 'New Year, New Me' or 'New Year, Freebie'?
Your end-of-year tax deduction looks delicious 🍩
The shortest day is over—let's celebrate the light!
Surprise! We’re starting the countdown early (to this deal)
The one thing you didn't ask Santa for (but should have)
Don't let your vacation days expire on you ✈️
Warning: This sale ends faster than a gingerbread house
Forget the fruitcake, here is the good stuff 🤤
Our annual 'Treat Yourself' memo is officially issued
It's freezing outside! Our warmest new arrivals are inside
The secret to crushing 2026? It starts with this email
Last call for holiday shopping (and sanity)
Our annual 'Treat Yourself' memo is officially issued
Warning: This holiday deal ends faster than a gingerbread house
Wishing you and yours a wonderfully festive season
Surprise! We’re starting the countdown early (to this deal)
A toast to the New Year and your next big win 🥂
Don't let your vacation days expire on you ✈️
Our gift to you: 5 tricks for surviving family dinners
We didn't forget the gift wrap (or the giant discount)
Christmas is only 10 days away—let’s panic (and shop)
Shine bright: Get your Hanukkah discount now
The candles are lit—don't miss this one-day special
December newsletter templates to help you get festive
Our in-app newsletter template collection is frequently updated with gorgeous new email templates. Take a peek at the professionally designed December newsletter templates you can use to spruce up your email campaigns.
7 December newsletter ideas for month and week-long events
1. Universal Human Rights Month
10 December 1948 marked the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and so this month is all about remembering to treat each other fairly and equally.
Newsletter idea: Highlight a human rights issue you feel passionate about and use an accordion block to embed FAQs. Then share ways for subscribers to get involved or make a difference
2. Month of Giving
As the name suggests, December is also a month for giving to others—whether by joining a volunteer initiative, donating to charities, or passing on pre-loved and unused items.
Newsletter idea: Hold a competition for subscribers to nominate non-profits that your business will donate goods, services or money to. Promote the competition using a dedicated landing page and gain subscribers along the way
3. Safe Toys and Gifts Month
In the US in 2010, 251,700 toy-related injuries had to be treated in emergency rooms. Since then, there have been widespread campaigns to improve toy safety and precautions—especially during the holiday shopping season.
Newsletter idea: Share a video demonstrating how to identify which toys are safe to gift, such as checking the age category and making sure it’s labeled by The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
4. Write a Business Plan Month
This month is intended to help business owners, entrepreneurs and freelancers stay on track with a well-organized business plan.
Newsletter idea: Set up an automated email series guiding your audience through the steps of creating a rock-solid business plan
5. Gift of Sight Month
The Gift of Sight Month aims to raise awareness about eye health, as very few people book regular eye exams.
Newsletter idea: In your email P.S. line, send your subscribers a reminder to book an eye appointment each year
6. Operation Santa Paws
This month is all about recognizing the value animals and pets add to our lives, as well as raising awareness for the many that end up in shelters after Christmas, as people underestimate the responsibility of caring for a pet.
Newsletter idea: Embed social media posts from shelters and remind your subscribers to think carefully before getting a pet, making sure it fits in with their schedule, finances and lifestyle
7. National Handwashing Awareness Week (1-7 December)
This event takes place every year during the first week of December. Hand hygiene has become particularly important over the past few years, and there are lots of guides and programs on how to do it right.
Newsletter idea: Share a fun rhyme in your email sign-off, reminding people to wash their hands
42 December newsletter ideas for day-long events
December 1, 2025
World AIDS Day: Decorate your newsletter design with a red ribbon graphic and link to nonprofits raising awareness about HIV and AIDS
December 2, 2025
Fritters Day: Banana fritters… potato fritters… pineapple fritters… Offer your favorite downloadable fritters recipe with your subscribers, and then wish them bon appetit
Giving Tuesday: Find a charity that you care about, or that is linked with your industry, and ask for donations in your newsletter
December 3, 2025
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Highlight how your subscribers can help to uphold the rights and dignity of people with disabilities
December 4, 2025
World Wildlife Conservation Day: Share 10 crazy, amazing facts about world wildlife in your email newsletter
December 5, 2025
World Soil Day: List ways in which your subscribers can help to prevent soil erosion (e.g. by digging a rain garden and reducing driveways and patios)
December 6, 2025
St. Nicholas Day: Share the history behind the modern-day Santa Claus (this day is celebrated on 19 December in Eastern Christian countries)
December 7, 2025
Flag Day of India: Express gratitude to people who have served in the Indian armed forces by linking to veterans’ charities
December 8, 2025
Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day: Share which historical era you would travel back to if you could and post an email survey where your subscribers can vote on where they’d go
Green Monday: This is one of the most profitable days for retail, so this is a great time to suggest Christmas gifts for those last-minute shoppers (and for bonus points, list sustainable products that don’t hurt the environment)
December 9, 2025
Christmas Card Day: Send your subscribers a ‘Christmas card’ in your email with a seasonal greeting, showing them how much you appreciate them
December 10, 2025
Human Rights Day: Share downloadable coloring sheets and resources to teach children that everyone is equal
International Animal Rights Day: Write a blog article about animal rights and share it in your email newsletter
December 11, 2025
National App Day: List 5 apps that have changed your life for the better
December 12, 2025
Universal Health Coverage Day: Share the history of universal health coverage across the world and link to the UHC Day toolkit
Christmas Jumper Day: Share a fun selfie in your favorite Christmas jumper in your newsletter and challenge your subscribers to post theirs on social media
December 13, 2025
Day of the Horse: Release your inner equine enthusiast and celebrate the contribution of horses throughout history, sharing some fun facts with your subscribers
December 14, 2025
National Free Shipping Day: Offer your subscribers—you guessed it 😂—free delivery to get the rest of their shopping done before the big day
December 15, 2025
Lemon Cupcake Day: Share your secret recipe in your newsletter so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat
December 16, 2025
Day of Reconciliation: Commemorate this special event in South Africa which encourages unity and harmony in their nation
December 17, 2025
National Device Appreciation Day: This day is all about insuring the items that are most important to us (the concept of insurance dates back 6000 years!). So it's a good time to share a story about the first device you owned and encourage your subscribers to share theirs as well
December 18, 2025
Arabic Language Day: Celebrate one of the world’s most ancient languages by linking to an Arabic beginner’s guide or online course in your email newsletter
December 19, 2025
Look For An Evergreen Day: Hide a tiny Christmas tree graphic somewhere in your email newsletter or website and challenge your subscribers to find it
December 20, 2025
Go Caroling Day: Embed a video in your email sharing your favorite Christmas carol
December 21, 2025
December Solstice: The December Solstice is the longest or shortest night of the year, depending on whether you're in the northern or southern hemisphere. The exact day can range between December 21 and 23, depending on your location. List some fun, family-friendly activities (painting, movie marathons, etc.) to get through the special day.
Humbug Day: Send some relaxation techniques to your subscribers to help them let out that holiday season stress
Short Story Day: Share a short story in your newsletter (300-500 words) and challenge your subscribers to write their own
Crossword Puzzle Day: Create a printable crossword puzzle with keywords related to your business and offer a prize to the first 3 subscribers who respond with the answers
December 22, 2025
National Cookie Exchange Day: Exchange cookies by sharing your favorite recipe and asking your subscribers for theirs. Add photos of the finished baked goods to future newsletters
December 23, 2025
Festivus: Celebrate this secular, non-commercial alternative to Christmas by sharing special dinner recipes and showing subscribers how to complete Festivus traditions such as ‘airing grievances’ and ‘demonstrating feats of strength’
National Christmas Movie Marathon Day: Share a Christmas movie checklist for your subscribers to work their way through
December 24, 2025
Christmas Eve: Wish your subscribers a Merry Christmas and send some printable games and coloring sheets for families to spend the evening together
December 25, 2025
Christmas Day: See our 6 hand-picked December newsletter ideas
December 26, 2025
Boxing Day: See our 6 hand-picked December newsletter ideas
Day of Goodwill: Celebrate this South African holiday by encouraging subscribers to volunteer and participate in charity events
First day of Kwanzaa: Mark this African-American and pan-African cultural holiday by sharing your favorite meals and music for people to celebrate to. The festival runs until January 1
December 27, 2025
National Fruitcake Day: Is there a more controversial Christmas food? Poll your subscribers to discover whether this rich and heavy cake deserves a place on the Christmas table
December 28, 2025
National Download Day: Promote your digital products that subscribers can download and enjoy in an instant
December 29, 2025
Tick Tock Day: (No, not the app!) Remind your subscribers they only have 2 days left this year, and inspire them to go out and do something meaningful to them
December 30, 2025
National Resolution Planning Day: Host a webinar sharing your company’s resolutions for the year and promote it in your newsletter, or tell subscribers how your business can help them achieve their goals
December 31, 2025
New Year’s Eve: See our 6 hand-picked December newsletter ideas
Hogmanay: Share your favorite places to visit in Scotland or 10 facts about the Scottish New Year’s Eve (for example, until the 1950s, many Scots preferred to celebrate Hogmanay instead of Christmas)
You’ve got December in the bag ✅
Ta-da—your holiday season marketing strategy is sorted! There’s more to December than just Christmas and New Year, so get creative and use these occasions to think outside the box.
Remember to pick special events that are relevant to you and your business, and tie in some catchy email subject lines to boost open rates. Then sit back and have a very merry email campaign!
Planning your content for the new year? Check out these January newsletter ideas to start the new year right.
