Holiday marketing didn’t become the biggest season of the year by accident. What began as simple gift-giving traditions rooted in human connection slowly evolved into a powerful cultural and commercial moment that now defines annual performance for brands worldwide. From ancient winter rituals to early newspaper ads, from radio storytelling to television’s golden age, holiday marketing has always succeeded by aligning emotion with timing. Understanding how gift-giving shaped this evolution reveals why the holidays remain the most emotionally charged—and most competitive—marketing season on the calendar today.
