Why Pinterest Should Be Core to Your Holiday Campaigns
The holiday season is Pinterest’s busiest time of year. With over 482 million monthly active users, most turning to the platform to plan purchases and gather gift ideas, it’s a goldmine for seasonal marketers. According to Pinterest’s data, early planning is key—over 60% of users start holiday searches as early as September.
These insights show that brands using Pinterest holiday marketing tips effectively can gain an edge long before competitors launch Black Friday ads.
1. Start Campaign Planning in Q3
One of the most critical Pinterest holiday marketing tips is to begin your content strategy early. Users on Pinterest aren’t just browsing—they’re planners. Holiday searches typically surge 12–16 weeks before major holidays.
Actionable Steps:
- Launch early-bird promotions in September
- Schedule Pins for key moments: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year
- Use Pinterest Trends to align product content with what users are searching for
Example: A fashion brand might start pinning winter party outfit ideas in August using keywords like “holiday outfit inspo.”
2. Create Holiday-Specific Boards and Pin Series
Tailoring your Pinterest boards to the holiday season not only enhances user experience but also boosts your content’s discoverability. Pinterest rewards organization and keyword-rich content.
Actionable Tips:
- Create distinct holiday boards like “Christmas Gifts for Her,” “Festive Recipes,” or “New Year Home Decor”
- Pin regularly—Pinterest favors consistent posting over one-time drops
- Repurpose blog content and seasonal guides as rich Pins or Story Pins
3. Use Rich Pins to Drive Conversions
Rich Pins automatically sync metadata from your site and appear more dynamic in feeds. For marketers, these are a must-have during high-shopping seasons.
Why it matters:
They pull product availability, pricing, and descriptions right from your website—streamlining the buying journey and improving conversion rates.
Best Use Cases:
- Product Pins for eCommerce
- Recipe Pins for CPG or food brands
- Article Pins for publishers or bloggers
4. Design for Mobile-First Shoppers
More than 85% of Pinterest usage happens on mobile. If your creatives aren’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out.
Design Tips:
- Use vertical images (2:3 aspect ratio)
- Include clear text overlays
- Stick to bold, festive colors and strong CTAs like “Shop Now” or “See More”
Remember, Pinners scroll quickly—your design must stand out instantly.
5. Target With Pinterest Ads for Festive ROI
Pinterest offers robust advertising tools, especially effective during holidays. Their keyword-based ad targeting allows you to reach users with purchase intent—not just awareness.
Ad Strategy Tips:
- Launch awareness ads early, then shift to conversion campaigns in December
- Use interest and keyword targeting together for precision
- Leverage retargeting to remind users of abandoned carts or viewed products
🧠 Pro Tip: Use Pinterest’s Conversion Insights to measure ROI in real time and adjust creatives quickly.
6. Embrace Story Pins and Video Content
Visual storytelling performs especially well during the festive period. Whether it’s a gift guide, a behind-the-scenes look at your holiday production process, or customer testimonials, video and Story Pins drive higher engagement.
Ideas for Story Pins:
- “How to wrap gifts like a pro”
- “5-minute holiday appetizers”
- “Festive makeup tutorial for office parties”
Short-form content keeps viewers engaged and encourages action, especially when paired with a CTA and link.
7. Align Content With Pinterest Predicts
Pinterest Predicts is the platform’s annual trend forecasting tool. It showcases what topics are expected to rise in popularity—often ahead of the curve.
For example, recent predictions have included:
- Rustic holiday decor over traditional red-and-green palettes
- Vintage gift wrapping as a trending DIY project
- Zero-waste gift guides driven by eco-conscious consumers
Aligning your creative strategy with these trend signals improves both relevance and reach.
8. Track, Test, and Optimize Continuously
What works in November may not hit in December. Top-performing marketers on Pinterest continually analyze campaign metrics.
Metrics to Track:
- Save and click-through rates
- Pin impressions
- Checkout completions from promoted Pins
- Engagement by audience segment
Use these insights to improve imagery, copy, and targeting across your holiday funnel.
Wrapping Up: Win the Season With Smart Pinterest Strategy
In a crowded digital holiday market, Pinterest offers a unique path to intent-driven discovery and conversion. From early campaign launches to mobile-first creatives and keyword-rich ads, these Pinterest holiday marketing tips are your toolkit for a more profitable festive season.
Whether you’re selling holiday decor, fashion, tech gifts, or services—Pinterest is where consumers go to plan, discover, and buy.
