3 Tips to Stay On-Brand During the Holidays
November 5, 2024
Category: branding
how to stay on-brand during the holidays
whilllllllle still embracing the holiday spirit.
Did you know it’s possible to be festive WHILE staying on brand!? You don’t have to abandon your brand style, vibes, or palette even during the holidays. Trust me, people.
The holidays are a time when there is sooooo much visual noise. Brands everywhere are getting festive and adding holiday-themed elements to the mix and instead of joining the sea of brands pulling random as heck Canva graphics, you need to focus on staying true to your brand and creating a memorable feel — not adding to brand confusion by using elements that feel like they’re coming out of nowhere.
Here’s the fact — people buy from people they know, like, and trust. Having consistent visuals reinforces that trust factor, therefore creating brand loyalty. So, how the heck do you promote a holiday sale or share something festive? No worries, I’ve got you. I’m sharing three tips to nail holiday content this year without abandoning your brand guidelines.
tip 1 | color is key
Stick to your brand’s color palette and strategically highlight hues that complement the season! It doesn’t have to be red and green to be festive. For example, if you have a green in your palette lean into that for a wintery feel. If your colors are warm neutrals, opt for creams and golds for your holiday packaging. Avoid introducing a bright red that clashes with your muted pinks and neutrals — instead, find colors that align with the season while keeping your brand’s aesthetic intact.
tip 2 | stay true to your style
If illustrations are part of your brand’s identity, you can celebrate the season without compromising your brand’s vibe. If your brand style leans toward hand-drawn illustrations, maintain the same line quality and level of detail to ensure your seasonal additions feel cohesive and familiar to your audience. We don’t want to introduce something that feels like a 180. If your brand is full of soft, pencil-style illustrations, it would feel off-brand to suddenly introduce bright red clip art, you feel me? Andddd don’t already forget tip #1! Make sure to adjust the colors within your illustrations to match your brand’s palette.
tip 3 | less is more
You don’t have to put a 10-foot Christmas tree across your marketing to capture the holiday spirit. A subtle nod to the season is more effective! Using icons or illustrations sparingly (think a small snowflake border or hint of winter foliage) is the best way to evoke a festive vibe while staying true to your brand. Even better if you can take something that’s already part of your brand’s identity and bring it to the forefront of your visual marketing for the holiday season.
bring the holiday spirit + stay on-brand
Available in both colored and outlined versions, you can choose the style that works best for your brand. Plus, with editable colors in Canva, you can tweak the palette to fit your specific style guide. A sure-fire way to get into the holiday spirit while staying on-brand, we’re smitten.
