Best Practices for Timing Your Holiday Sends
Send at the wrong time, and even the best holiday email risks getting buried. The good news? You don’t need complex data models—just a few proven timing tips to get your campaigns seen.
Today’s gift:
A simple guide to when (and how often) to hit “send” during the holiday rush.
The Prompts
1. Start Early (but not too early)
- Early November: Great for gift guides and pre-season sales.
- Thanksgiving weekend: Black Friday & Cyber Monday still rule, but keep messages focused and clear.
2. Stay Consistent in December
- Tuesdays–Thursdays: Generally strongest engagement.
- Mid-morning (9–11 a.m.): Sweet spot for opens.
- Evenings: Can work well for last-minute shoppers checking email after work.
3. Lean Into Urgency Windows
- 7–10 days before shipping cutoffs: Highlight “order by” dates.
- Final week before Christmas: Promote digital gifts or in-store pickups.
- December 26–31: Perfect for clearance sales or New Year promos.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Resend
- If your campaign is critical, resend to non-openers within 48 hours (with a tweaked subject
Every audience is different, but these timing rules are a safe bet to boost visibility during the busiest inbox season of the year.
