Why You Shouldn’t Stop Ads in the Christmas Holiday Period

The holiday rush may be over, but that doesn’t mean your Facebook ads should take a break.

While many advertisers hit pause during the Christmas holiday period (December 24th to January 2nd), this quiet stretch offers a golden opportunity to get ahead.

Why? Fewer advertisers competing for attention means reduced costs, and with people spending more time on their phones during their holiday downtime, your ads have a greater chance to stand out.

Let’s dive into why you should keep your ads running—and how this strategy can benefit your business.

Why Running Ads After Christmas Works

1. Lower Advertising Costs

Once the pre-Christmas frenzy subsides, competition in ad auctions drops significantly.

• Fewer advertisers mean lower CPMs and CPCs.

• Your budget can stretch further, allowing you to reach more people for less.

2. Increased Screen Time

People are off work, relaxing at home, and spending more time on their phones.

• From browsing social media to online shopping, holiday downtime equals more opportunities for your ads to connect with audiences.

• This is prime time to target audiences who are in a discovery mindset.

3. Post-Holiday Shoppers

The holiday gift cards and cash are burning holes in people’s pockets.

• Many consumers look for post-Christmas deals or items they didn’t receive as gifts.

• Strategic retargeting can nudge these shoppers toward your products or services.

• Focus on email, SMS, and on-page optimizations to get your audience to shop

4. Building Brand Awareness for Q1

With fewer competing ads, your business can claim more attention.

• Use this period to plant seeds for Q1 campaigns.

• Highlight promotions or tease upcoming launches to build anticipation.

5. First-Mover Advantage

While others go dark, staying active gives your brand visibility when it matters most.

• The quieter ad landscape means your message won’t get drowned out.

• Engage your audience and strengthen their connection to your brand.

Pro Tips for Holiday Ad Success

• Test New Creatives: Experiment with lighthearted, festive themes to match the holiday mood.

• Focus on Retargeting: Re-engage users who interacted with your ads during the holiday rush but didn’t convert.

• Send Holiday Greetings via email, SMS and make sure you do it on your website, as well. Don’t sell, just make sure you’re on top of mind.

• Capitalize on Gift Card Holders: Target audiences with messaging like, “Got gift cards? Here’s how to spend them!”

• Track Performance Closely: Use the lower-cost period to refine your targeting and creative for maximum ROI.

For example, I'm running Advantage+ Shopping Ads for my clients! It will target both re-marketing lists, also new potential clients.

Conclusion

The Christmas holiday period isn’t just a time to relax—it’s a time to rethink your ad strategy.

With less competition, lower costs, and higher engagement, running ads from December 24th to January 2nd could be your secret weapon to start the new year strong.

Don’t miss out on the hidden opportunities this period offers. Stay active, stay visible, and let your ads do the heavy lifting while your competitors are on pause.

Want more tips to maximize your holiday ad performance?

Stay tuned for the next Digital Ad Snack or reply with your biggest ad challenge.