As a digital file maker one question you’ve probably asked yourself is, “When should I start working on holiday designs?” It might seem like you have plenty of time, but in the world of online sales and digital products, timing is everything. Starting too late can mean missing out on a big chunk of potential sales. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with a simple timeline for the most popular holidays and a list of evergreen designs that sell year-round!
Timing Your Holiday Designs Right
When it comes to holiday designs, earlier is always better. Customers, especially those running their own businesses or looking for holiday gifts, tend to plan ahead. A good rule of thumb is to start working on designs 3-4 months before the holiday. This gives you plenty of time to design, upload, and promote your products, so your audience has time to find and purchase them.
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular holidays and when you should start designing for them:
1. New Year’s Eve/Day
- Start Designing: September
- People love party invitations, decorations, and resolution trackers!
2. Valentine’s Day
- Start Designing: November
- Think about cards, romantic quotes, and cute designs for gifts.
3. Easter
- Start Designing: December
- Pastels, bunnies, and religious themes are big sellers.
4. Mother’s Day/Father’s Day
- Start Designing: January
- Customizable cards and gift ideas like mugs and t-shirts are always popular.
5. 4th of July
- Start Designing: April
- Patriotic designs, BBQ invitations, and decorations are in demand.
6. Halloween
- Start Designing: July
- Spooky graphics, party invitations, and costume-related designs are huge this time of year.
7. Thanksgiving
- Start Designing: August
- Think cozy vibes, autumn colors, and anything food-related!
8. Christmas
- Start Designing: August
- You’ll want to focus on everything from gift tags to wrapping paper designs and Christmas cards.
By getting your holiday designs done ahead of time, you can be sure your products will be ready for the early birds who start shopping months in advance.
Evergreen Designs You Should Be Making Year-Round
While holiday designs are fun, you also want to keep a good collection of evergreen designs—those that sell no matter the season. These designs are always in demand and can keep your shop buzzing with activity even when it’s not holiday time.
Here are 10 evergreen design ideas to keep in your rotation:
- Floral Patterns – Flowers never go out of style! Great for invitations, prints, and fabric designs.
- Motivational Quotes – Uplifting phrases work well on everything from mugs to wall art.
- Geometric Shapes – Modern and minimalist, geometric patterns are always in demand.
- Abstract Art – Abstract designs are popular for home décor and backgrounds.
- Animal Silhouettes – People love animals, and simple silhouettes work well for t-shirts, tote bags, and more.
- Watercolor Elements – Watercolor textures and illustrations have a soft, timeless appeal.
- Food Illustrations – Cute or realistic, food designs are used for recipe books, kitchen decor, and more.
- Minimalist Line Art – Clean and simple, minimalist line drawings are always trendy.
- Monograms – Customizable designs are popular for personal gifts, and monograms are a classic favorite.
- Seasonal Landscapes – Generic seasonal scenery like mountains, beaches, or forests can work all year long.
By regularly creating a mix of holiday and evergreen designs, you’ll have a steady flow of content that caters to both time-sensitive shoppers and those looking for timeless designs. Just remember to plan ahead, stay consistent, and have fun with your creations! Your audience will thank you (and your sales will too!).
