You know it’s serious when loyalty managers start thinking about Christmas before the sunscreen’s even packed away. But here’s the truth: when it comes to loyalty, there’s no such thing as “too early”. And yet, if you haven’t started planning, don’t panic; then you’re fashionably on time.
Across industries, brands are already mapping out how to turn December’s chaos into connection, and their ideas are nothing short of inspiring. We spoke to six loyalty-driven companies (from luxury fashion to yogurt and beauty) to peek at what’s cooking behind the festive scenes.
And if you want some year-end trends as well from both fellow marketers and customers, make sure to check out our annual loyalty report!
1. The Global Fashion Brand Turning Loyalty into a Style Challenge
For one global fashion brand, Christmas is the moment. “We basically live in a loop of runway Christmas – sale – repeat,” their team told us.
This year’s big idea: “12 Days of Style.” Members complete mini fashion missions, reviewing products, sharing looks, or unlocking personalized gift recommendations based on loyalty data.
And if you’re wondering about their holiday alter ego? “A Prada-wearing Mrs. Claus.” Enough said.
2. The EMEA-Based Beauty Brand Redefining Glow Season
And finally, an EMEA-based beauty brand is turning the holidays into Glowmas.
Their festive focus? Rewarding self-care instead of just sales. Members can unlock mini facials, early access to holiday kits, or experiences through a digital Advent Calendar packed with content and surprise samples.
Their philosophy: “Glow with intention. The sparkle only matters if it means something.”
3. LuisaViaRoma: Where Loyalty Meets Glamour
At LuisaViaRoma, planning for Christmas starts at the end of July, and not because they’re stressed. “Planning ahead means arriving prepared with a solid engagement plan,” shared their loyalty team.
Their 2025 theme is “A Touch of Glamour”: think double points campaigns, private shopping with stylists, and wish list–driven rewards. They’re also testing an app-only Wheel of Fortune and a storytelling Advent Calendar that blends content with conversion.
Their take on success? “True interaction is measured in redemption.” And their message to fellow brands: “Less stress, more style.”
Did you know? LuisaViaRoma has been a long-standing customer of Antavo. Check out the story of their loyalty program, LVR Privilege, with its twists and turns, from our case study.
4. The Nordic Department Store That Mixes Santa with Elsa
The Loyalty Team at a leading luxury department store in the Nordics is unapologetically Christmas-obsessed. “We have colleagues who begin with next year’s preparations just as soon as the current one ends!” they laughed.
For 2025, they’re collecting insights from both members and store staff to shape a festive experience that’s as magical as it is data-driven. Their program’s Christmas alter ego? “The love child of Santa Claus and Elsa from Frozen: warm, generous, iconic, and a little bit AI-raised.”
Their message to others: “Let the festive spirit shine brighter than the stress.” We’ll take that over spreadsheets any day.
5. Yeo Valley’s 12 (or Maybe 24) Challenges of Christmas
Yeo Valley Organic’s loyalty team are bringing countryside charm to the season. After launching new gamified challenges this year, they’re ready to go all in with their “12 (or 24!) Challenges of Christmas.”
From streak-based bonuses (“bank two yogurts in a row, win extra Yeokens”) to December-long community raffles, the goal is simple: keep customers engaged when life gets busy.
Their team calls it “a fun experiment,” tracking completion rates through Antavo and soaking up member reactions on social. Their Christmas personality? “A cow with a Santa hat.” Obviously.
If you are interested in hearing more amazing stories about Yeo Valley and their loyalty program, check out this interview.
6. A North American Restaurant Chain Serving Up the Season of Sharing
Over in hospitality, one North American restaurant chain is mixing generosity with flavor. Their “Season of Sharing” campaign rewards members for gifting meals or donating rewards to food banks. Top-tier members even get access to limited-edition holiday menu items.
They’re testing secret-menu unlocks via push notifications. “If you visit three times in December, you get a surprise item.” Their loyalty mascot? Buddy the Elf, cheerful, a little over-the-top, and always hungry. Their advice: “If you feed people (literally or emotionally), they’ll come back for more.”
The Takeaway
From Santa-meets-Elsa to Prada Claus, every brand we spoke with is planning something different, but they’re united by two truths:
- You’re never too early or too late to start building Christmas engagement. What matters is that you start intentionally.
- The festive season is the perfect time to experiment. Whether it’s gamified challenges, secret menus, or digital Advent calendars, customers are primed for joy. So give them reasons to interact, play, and smile.
If you’re interested in putting your strategies in action, but need a loyalty technology flexible enough to handle it, our loyalty experts are more than happy to discuss it with you after booking a demo.
Also, make sure to download our report on customer loyalty trends.
Sara is a Customer Success leader with a proven track record in driving customer retention and advocacy. With over six years of experience, she blends creativity and strategy to implement scalable programs. Known for her human-first approach, Sara excels at fostering authentic relationships and creating innovative solutions.
