Too soon for tinsel? Not if you want to win Christmas.

We get it — it’s July, and we’re already talking baubles and fairy lights.

But in the world of marketing and brand experience, the best festive campaigns don’t happen by magic. They happen because the planning started early. So if you want your brand to sparkle this Christmas (and who doesn’t?), now’s the perfect time to start briefing it in.

In a retail landscape that is more competitive than ever, it’s never been more important to create a Christmas campaign that inspires, delights, connects, and drives results. 

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Why start now?

Christmas is the biggest retail moment of the year, and for Australian brands, the numbers tell a clear story:

• In 2023, Australians spent over $74.5 billion during the Christmas season (source: ARA).
• 53% of Australian shoppers finalise their Christmas lists by October and 68% having completed the bulk of their shopping by end of November - meaning campaigns need to hit shelves before Mariah is completely defrosted.
• In-store foot traffic peaks in November and December, and physical retail plays a critical role in conversion and brand storytelling.

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What are shoppers looking for in 2025?

The 2025 festive shopper is more values-driven, experience-hungry, and attention-short than ever. Yep, we’ve never been busier or more easily distracted!

So brands who want cut-through will be focusing on:

• Immersive and interactive moments – things that online can’t deliver
• Personalisation – whether in messaging, gifting, or service
• Sustainability and conscious consumption – meaningful wins over mindless purchases
• Feel-good nostalgia – warm, familiar storytelling that taps into the emotions.
• Convenience meets wow-factor – making it easily shoppable but surprising and delighting along the way 

In other words: don’t just show up — show up with heart. And show up in ways that feel seamless, smart and connected across every touchpoint.

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From big ideas to brilliant execution 

At IVE, we help brands turn seasonal shopping into meaningful and memorable moments. Whether you’re looking for a fully immersive brand world or just a brilliant festive window, our end-to-end capabilities mean we deliver on both creativity and scale.

1. Campaign concept & creative
2. Design, 3D, digital and large-format print
3. Fixture manufacturing & propping
4. Tech innovation & interactive in-store
5. Full national rollout & logistics
6. In-house production for speed and quality control

We’ve delivered magical campaigns for Myer, Dan Murphy’s, Aesop and more — from shimmering sculptures to life-size trains, bespoke uniforms to bauble-packed activations across hundreds of stores. And we do it all with precision, passion, and just a little bit of festive flair.

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Need a little inspiration? 

To help you get started and feeling festive, we’ve created the IVE 2025 Christmas Lookbook. It’s full of real campaign examples, visuals, and ideas that show just how impactful the season can be when it’s done right — and done early.

Download the Lookbook here

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If you’ve got an idea, a challenge, or even just the faint sound of jingle bells in your mind — we’re ready. Let the magic begin!