For a London restaurant, December is won in October and November. That is when people choose where to book the office party, the family meal and New Year’s Eve, and they choose from what they see on Instagram and TikTok. The restaurants that fill up are the ones that show their Christmas early, clearly and often.
Here is what to film, and real Christmas work we delivered last December for Alici’s in Wood Green and for Tarshish.
The three Christmas videos every restaurant needs
- A booking ad. Short, clear and repeated: Christmas is here, these are the dates, this is how to book. It runs from the moment bookings open until the last free table is gone.
- A décor reel. If you have invested in the room, show it. A walk through the entrance, the tree and the lights at night makes people want to be there.
- Festive food and drink. The Christmas menu, the seasonal cocktail, the hot chocolate. Each one is a separate short video, so you have something new to post every few days.
Real example: Alici’s Wonderland, Wood Green
Alici’s turned the whole restaurant into Alici’s Wonderland for Christmas: a tree arch at the door, a pink light tunnel, Santa’s sleigh on the front of the building and a neon sign inside. We filmed it at night so the lights carry the video, and cut it into reels for Instagram and TikTok, alongside short videos of the festive drinks.
Real example: Tarshish Christmas bookings
For Tarshish the job was bookings. We filmed the room full of guests, the food and the drinks, and turned it into booking ads with one clear message: Christmas bookings now open. The same footage was cut into several versions so the ads could run for weeks without feeling repetitive.
When to film, and when to post
- Late October to mid November: film the décor and festive menu as soon as they are ready, and start the booking ads.
- Mid November to mid December: post the food and drink videos every few days, keep the booking ad running.
- Last two weeks of December: switch to last-tables, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve messages.
One evening of filming covers the whole season if it is planned well: the room, every festive dish and drink, and a few moments with the team.
Why restaurants work with 9495 Creative for Christmas
- We film restaurants every month, so we know what makes a table look full and a room look warm on a phone screen.
- Filming, editing and booking-ad design in one team. No briefing three suppliers in the busiest month of the year.
- Fixed, itemised quotes. You know the cost before we start.
See a full year of restaurant content in our Alici’s case study, or our menu board and food photography work for The House of Döner.
Want your Christmas filmed?
Tell us when your décor goes up and what you want to promote. We will send a fixed quote and a filming date.
Frequently asked questions
When should a restaurant start its Christmas marketing?
Most London diners book their Christmas parties and family meals from late October to the end of November. Film your décor and festive menu as soon as it is up, so the booking ads can run for at least four weeks before December.
What Christmas videos work best for restaurants?
Three types do most of the work: a booking ad that says the dates and how to book, a décor reel that shows the room at its best, and short videos of the festive dishes and drinks. Together they cover Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube Shorts.
Can you film our Christmas décor before it is fully finished?
We usually film once the décor is complete, in the evening when the lights look their best. One visit is enough to capture the room, the menu and a few staff moments for the whole season.
How much does Christmas content cost for a restaurant?
It depends on how many videos you need and whether you want booking ads and design as well. Tell us what you need and we will send a fixed, itemised quote the same day.
