What are the holidays about, exactly? “The holidays” – in quotes, mind you – have extended beyond certain days, say Christmas day or the days of Hannukah, to an entire season, one which seems to begin just after Halloween.

To many, they are about ritual of faith and the celebration of religious beliefs. According to many of our favorite, classic stories, the holidays are about love and a spirit of gratitude and compassion.  To a great many, the holiday season is simply about family and friends coming together.

Wherein lies our duty, as marketers, to chime in and support the holiday season commercially? Or are we in fact the creators of the holiday season itself, falling victim to the Valentine’s Day-as-created-by-Hallmark accusation?

Regardless, we can surely say that whatever the excuse is, we’re glad to be a part of it. We’re glad to be a part of the industry that creates such timeless holiday campaigns as the Coca Cola polar bears campaign (below). We’re glad, too, to be a part of the industry producing new advertising gems like Anna Kendrick’s commercial series for Kate Spade (below), or Gap’s post-Thanksgiving interactive digital shopping experience that gives shoppers insight into what their clothes “do” through a series of short films.

Above all, we’re glad to be a part of the industry that exalts the warmth of and the meaning for, whatever yours may be, the holiday season through great and innovative marketing.

Happy holidays — from us at CBC, to you and yours.