It’s July — Time to Pitch Holiday Gift Guides! Here’s What Brands Need to Know
t may be the middle of summer, but in the world of public relations, holiday season has already begun—at least when it comes to media planning.
If your brand is hoping to land a coveted spot in a Holiday Gift Guide this year, July is the time to start pitching. National magazines, major websites, and top-tier gift roundups work several months in advance, and missing this window could mean missing out on some of the year’s most impactful press.
Let’s break down what you should be doing now, what to expect, and how to prepare your brand for long lead holiday pitching success.
Why July?
Most long lead publications (think print magazines and major digital outlets) operate with a 3–6 month editorial calendar. That means when everyone else is at the beach, editors are knee-deep in planning their October through December content.
If you want to land a spot in gift guides for:
Holiday magazines
Year-end “best of” lists
Gift roundups
Stocking stuffer features
Wellness or foodie holiday features
…then pitching in July and August is essential.
What to Pitch Right Now
When pitching holiday gift guides, you’ll want to focus on products that are:
Giftable
Easy to purchase online
Shippable
Visually appealing
Popular categories editors are always looking for include:
🎁 Beauty & skincare
🍷 Food & beverage
🕯️ Home & lifestyle
🧘 Wellness & self-care
💰 Gifts under $50 or $25
Make sure your product fits a clear gift category and tie your pitch to a specific theme if possible (i.e. “Sustainable Gifts for Foodies” or “Self-Care Stocking Stuffers”).
What to Include in Your Pitch
To make an editor’s job easier—and boost your chances of getting featured—include everything they’ll need up front.
Your holiday pitch should have:
A short, compelling product description
Product name and retail price
A direct purchase link (ideally on your website or a major retailer)
High-res images (white background and lifestyle preferred)
Press contact info
Shipping deadlines and availability info
Bonus: Offering to send samples, exclusive discounts, or early access can go a long way.
What to Expect from Long Lead Pitching
Long lead pitching requires patience and follow-up. You might not hear back immediately, and that’s okay.
Here’s what’s normal:
Editors may archive or star your email for later
You might follow up 2–3 times over a few weeks
Placement decisions are made weeks or even months after your pitch
Coverage won’t appear until October–December
Keep the energy positive and professional. Persistence (not pressure) pays off.
How to Prepare for Holiday PR Season
Being press-ready means more than just having a good product. Here’s how to make sure your brand is fully prepared to seize the opportunity:
Create or update your holiday media kit
Organize high-quality product photos
Have samples on hand and ready to ship
Set up reliable e-commerce links
Know your inventory & shipping timelines
The more prepared you are, the easier it is for editors to say yes.
💡 Ready to Land a Holiday Feature?
At May Marketing & Relations, we help brands stand out during the most competitive PR season of the year. From crafting pitch-perfect gift guide outreach to managing press kits and editor relationships, we know what it takes to get your product in front of the right people, at the right time.
Email olivia@maymarketingrelations.com to get started
This July, get your holiday press strategy in motion—and give your brand the gift of visibility.
