Agencies Flex Their Creativity With 2024 Holiday Cards

The holidays is a time to give, whether that’s a gift to a loved one or to a charitable effort.

For agencies, in addition to being a nice gesture, a holiday card is another canvas to show off their wildest creative ideas to clients and the world. Many take their holiday ho ho hos to the next level.

ADWEEK has rounded up the most creative holiday cards we’ve received from agencies this year, which go beyond standard cardboard greetings with holiday cookbooks, original music, interactive games, and more.

If last year’s batch of holiday cards was all about AI, this year’s put the idea at the heart.

Enjoy this year’s roundup of the best agency holiday greetings.

Curiosity, “Questionable Taste”

Ohio-based independent agency Curiosity is cooking for Christmas. The agency released a hard copy cookbook with a simple twist: each recipe was designed by its employees. Some are good cooks, some get by. So you’ll get to try everything from “weird toast” and “2 a.m. mac and cheese” to “pesto almond-crusted salmon” and “homemade dog food.” Yum.

Murder Hornet, “Tis the Season for Murder”

Staying on brand, agency Murder Hornet has sent clients a cleaver for the holidays this year, to “murder” their holiday cheese boards. 30 of these sharp holiday mailers are being sent out to clients, prospects, and pitch consultants. The sleek black box, embossed with the phrase “Tis the Season for Murder” in vibrant orange, sets the tone for Murder Hornet’s cheeky creative humor.

Walrus, “Clams Casino”

Creative agency Walrus is known for its quirky holiday t-shirts, and this year is no exception. No holiday party or potluck is complete without that one dish that people single out, for various reasons. With a shirt that says “Clams Casino” on it, Walrus is encouraging wearers to back it up with the dish of the same name. The recipe card that comes with the shirt states: “This year, bring the dish that says, ‘I’m interesting.’”

Ammunition, AI-Powered Holiday Album

AI did make its way into a few holiday cards this year. Digital agency Ammunition is one. The agency is rewriting the holiday playbook with its first-ever album. Powered by Jammunation Records, “Out of Office, In the Spirit” blends raw creativity and AI magic to transform holiday classics into ad-world anthems on an album that came together in less than two weeks.

Archer, “Santa’s Other List”

Archer’s Santa’s Other List is a seasonal guide to the not-so-nice consumer demos and their ridiculously indulgent, guilt-fueled, and self-soothing holiday spending power. The agency invites you to grab a cup of cocoa and read its Santa-fied graphics of consumer misbehaviors.

Aloysius Butler & Clark, “Holiday Hot Takes”

Full-service indie shop Aloysius Butler & Clark is giving its clients the gift of friendly debate. With so much of today’s discourse sparking polarizing discussion that should “never-ever be broached at the holiday table,” AB&C’s Holiday Hot Takes offers a guide for guests to voice their opinions without becoming the Scrooge of the group. The initiative includes are weekly polls, e-blasts to clients and a landing page for voting.

Atomic London, NFT lump of coal

With the U.K. closing its last coal-powered power station, the country is officially coal-free for the first time since before the Industrial Revolution. But this raises an important question: what to give people on your naughty list now that a lump of coal is off the table? NFT lumps of coal, of course. Even more useless than the real thing, these digital lumps are the perfect tongue-in-cheek gift for anyone who’s misbehaved this year.

Noble People, “Wild Cards”

Independent media agency Noble People is using its holiday card as a way to show prospective clients how it thinks. The agency created Wild Cards, a selection of holiday cards containing a different question or challenge that demonstrate the agency’s problem-solving approach. Click on a card and a question appears. Another card then gives an insight with an answer that sparks discussion. Always be marketing!

Pereira O’Dell, “A Visual Year in Review”

Independent creative agency Pereira O’Dell collaborated with artist Luz Díaz to craft a detailed illustration that encapsulates the agency’s year. The custom artwork serves as a visual time capsule, weaving together the agency’s most memorable moments. You’ll find easter eggs, like co-founders PJ Pereira and Andrew O’Dell, as well as items representing the agency’s clients, including stacks of pancakes (IHop), a man shaving (Manscaped), and an orange tree (Sunny D).

Iris, “Cathartic Crackers”

Iris has created “Cathartic Crackers,” with sleeves featuring people who raised eyebrows and blood pressures in 2024, from Donald Trump to Elon Must. Iris clients can snap the faces of contentious characters from the worlds of politics, music and entertainment to bust their holiday stress.

Kettle Agency, “Kettle Mansion”

Kettle’s 100-person “Kettle Mansion” gift exchange virtual experience pushes the limits of what AI can do. With 10 white elephant exchanges happening simultaneously in 10 themed rooms, the Kettle Mansion is an interactive feat powered by Figma’s collaborative tools. Guests will use Figma’s Stamp feature to take their seats, steal presents, and eventually compete in a final bonus round where all participants come together.