December delivers an unmatched concentration of marketing opportunities that can transform your social media engagement. With major holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve all packed into 31 days, this month offers ready-made content hooks your audience actively seeks.
Planning matters more in December than any other month.
Your audience scrolls through feeds already saturated with holiday content. Standing out requires strategic timing, authentic messaging, and content that balances festive cheer with genuine value. The brands that win December plan their content calendar weeks ahead, allowing time to create quality posts whilst maintaining flexibility for trending moments.
This guide provides over 100 December social media content ideas organised by daily observances, week-long campaigns, and month-long themes. You’ll find specific post concepts, relevant hashtags, and practical implementation tips that work across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Whether you manage social media for a small business or coordinate campaigns for multiple clients, these ideas help you maintain consistent engagement throughout the busiest month of the year.
The framework covers everything from widely celebrated holidays to niche observances that let you connect with specific audience segments. You’ll discover how to create holiday content that drives engagement without overwhelming your followers, plus free resources to streamline your content creation process.
How to Use This December Social Media Content Calendar
This calendar functions as your strategic planning tool rather than a rigid schedule. Think of it as a comprehensive menu of content ideas you can adapt to your brand voice and audience preferences.
Start by scanning through all sections to identify dates and themes that align with your business objectives. Not every observance will fit your brand, and that’s expected. A technology company might skip National Cookie Day whilst embracing Computer Science Education Week.
Selecting Relevant Content Ideas
Choose 15-20 dates from the calendar that genuinely connect with your brand story. This selective approach ensures quality over quantity. Your audience values meaningful content more than daily posts that lack relevance.
Consider your audience demographics when selecting observances. B2B brands might focus on professional development themes and year-end business reflections. Consumer brands can lean into gift guides, holiday traditions, and festive celebrations.
Mark your selected dates in your existing content calendar. Block out major holidays first, then fill gaps with smaller observances that maintain consistent posting frequency.
Adapting Ideas to Your Brand Voice
Each idea in this calendar serves as a starting point requiring personalisation. A formal financial services firm approaches National Cookie Day differently than a playful bakery.
Transform generic prompts into brand-specific content by adding your unique perspective. Instead of simply posting “Happy Hanukkah,” share how your company values align with the holiday’s themes of perseverance and light.
Maintain your established tone throughout December. Holiday content shouldn’t feel jarring compared to your other posts. If you typically use professional language, keep that consistency even when discussing festive topics.
Scheduling and Preparation Timeline
Begin planning your December content by mid-November. This timeline allows for thoughtful content creation without last-minute scrambling during the busiest shopping season.
Create your content in batches organised by theme. Spend one session developing all gift guide posts, another on year-end reflection content. This batch approach maintains consistency in messaging and visual style.
Schedule posts at least one week ahead when possible. This buffer gives you flexibility to respond to trending moments whilst ensuring your planned content publishes reliably. Tools like Buffer or Hootsuite automate posting across multiple platforms.
Tips for Creating December Social Media Content
Successful December content balances holiday spirit with authentic value. Your audience tolerates promotional content more readily during this season, but they still expect genuine engagement rather than constant sales pitches.
Focus on helping your audience navigate December’s unique challenges. People seek gift ideas, holiday planning tips, stress management strategies, and connection during this emotionally charged month.
Understanding December Engagement Patterns
Social media engagement shifts dramatically throughout December. Social media impacts 89% of consumers’ shopping decisions during the holidays, making your content particularly influential during this period.
Early December engagement peaks as people research gift options and plan celebrations. Mid-December sees slightly lower engagement as people focus on shopping and preparations. Engagement rebounds between Christmas and New Year’s as people share holiday experiences and reflect on the year.
Post timing matters significantly. Morning posts catch early scrollers planning their day. Evening posts reach people unwinding after work or holiday shopping.
Visual Content Best Practices
December posts benefit from festive visual elements without becoming cluttered. Visual inspiration from platforms like Pinterest drives significant holiday engagement.
Maintain brand colours whilst incorporating seasonal accents. A technology brand might add subtle gold or silver touches to their typical blue palette. A health brand could use evergreen and cranberry red alongside their standard colours.
Create templates for recurring December content types. Design one gift guide template, one holiday tips template, and one reflection post template. This approach speeds content creation whilst maintaining visual consistency.
User-generated content performs exceptionally well during December. Encourage customers to share photos using your products in holiday settings. Repost this content with proper credit to build community and reduce your content creation workload.
Hashtag Strategy for December Posts
December hashtags require strategic layering. Combine broad holiday hashtags with niche observance tags and your branded hashtags.
Broad hashtags like #HolidaySeason and #December2025 reach wide audiences but face intense competition. Your posts might disappear quickly in these crowded feeds.
Niche hashtags like #SmallBusinessSaturday or #GivingTuesday connect you with engaged communities actively seeking specific content. These targeted tags often deliver better engagement despite smaller audience sizes.
Research hashtag popularity before using them. Tools like Hashtagify or native platform search functions show how many posts use specific tags. Aim for tags with 10,000-500,000 uses for optimal visibility.
Create a branded December hashtag for your business. Something like #YourBrandHolidays or #DecemberWith[YourBrand] helps you track engagement and build campaign cohesion.
Generic December Content Ideas (Evergreen)
These content concepts work throughout December without tying to specific dates. Use them to fill gaps in your content calendar or respond to unexpected openings in your schedule.
Evergreen December content provides value beyond immediate holiday celebrations. These posts often generate engagement weeks after publication as people continue searching for holiday guidance.
Gift Guide Content
Gift guides consistently rank amongst the most-shared December content. Create guides segmented by recipient type, price point, or interest category.
Develop a “Gifts Under £30” guide showcasing affordable options. Follow with “Luxury Gift Ideas” for higher-budget shoppers. This range captures diverse audience segments.
Consider these gift guide angles:
- Gifts for remote workers (desk accessories, comfort items, productivity tools)
- Sustainable gift options (eco-friendly products, experience gifts, charitable donations)
- Last-minute gift ideas (digital products, gift cards with creative presentation, local experiences)
- Gifts that give back (products supporting social causes, fair trade items)
- Self-care gift ideas (wellness products, relaxation tools, personal development resources)
Link gift suggestions to products when relevant. Affiliate partnerships can generate revenue whilst providing genuine value. Always disclose affiliate relationships transparently.
Relevant hashtags: #GiftGuide #HolidayGifts #GiftIdeas #ChristmasShopping #HolidayShopping
Year-End Reflection Content
December naturally prompts reflection and assessment. Help your audience process their year whilst positioning your brand as a thoughtful resource.
Share your company’s year-in-review highlighting major milestones, new products, and community impact. Include behind-the-scenes photos showing your team celebrating achievements.
Prompt audience reflection with engaging questions:
- What was your proudest moment of 2025?
- Which goal exceeded your expectations this year?
- What lesson from 2025 will you carry into 2026?
- Which new skill did you develop this year?
- What are you most grateful for from the past twelve months?
Create a carousel post showcasing your top nine posts from 2025. Most social media platforms provide year-end analytics highlighting your best-performing content.
Relevant hashtags: #YearInReview #2025Recap #BestOf2025 #YearEndReflection #Grateful2025
Holiday Stress Management Content
December brings joy alongside significant stress. Content acknowledging this reality whilst offering practical solutions resonates deeply with overwhelmed audiences.
Share stress-reduction techniques relevant to your industry. A productivity app might post time-management tips for holiday shopping. A wellness brand could share breathing exercises for managing family gathering anxiety.
Relevant hashtags: #HolidayStress #SelfCare #MentalHealth #WellnessWednesday #StressRelief
Winter and Holiday Traditions
Tradition-focused content builds emotional connections. Ask your audience to share their unique holiday traditions in comments, creating engagement whilst learning more about your community.
Share your company’s holiday traditions. Perhaps your team exchanges handmade gifts or volunteers together annually. These authentic glimpses humanise your brand.
Feature diverse traditions from different cultures. December includes celebrations beyond Christmas. Acknowledging Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and Boxing Day demonstrates cultural awareness and inclusivity.
Relevant hashtags: #HolidayTraditions #FamilyTraditions #WinterTraditions #HolidayMemories #FestiveSeason
Behind-the-Scenes Holiday Content
Show how your business prepares for December. Document your office decorating process, team holiday lunch, or charitable initiatives.
Behind-the-scenes content performs well because it satisfies audience curiosity about your operations. People enjoy seeing the humans behind brands they support.
Relevant hashtags: #BehindTheScenes #TeamCulture #OfficeLife #HolidayAtWork #CompanyCulture
Month-Long December Holidays and Themes
These observances span all of December, providing consistent content themes you can reference throughout the month. Month-long themes work particularly well for content calendar planning because they offer flexibility in scheduling.
Select 2-3 month-long themes aligning closely with your brand mission. This focus prevents content overload whilst allowing meaningful exploration of relevant topics.
Universal Human Rights Month
Universal Human Rights Month commemorates the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December 1948.
Share educational content about human rights issues relevant to your industry. A clothing brand might discuss fair labour practices. A technology company could address digital privacy rights.
Highlight organisations advancing human rights causes. Offer to match employee or customer donations to selected charities.
Post ideas: Spotlight human rights defenders, share facts about global rights issues, discuss your company’s ethical sourcing practices, promote inclusive policies.
Relevant hashtags: #HumanRights #HumanRightsMonth #HumanRightsDay #Equality #SocialJustice
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
This theme particularly suits restaurants, food businesses, catering services, and hospitality brands.
Share food safety tips relevant to home cooking during holiday gatherings. Proper food storage, safe thawing practices, and cross-contamination prevention help audiences host safely.
Showcase your business’s food safety protocols. Transparency about hygiene practices builds customer trust, particularly important for food service businesses.
Post ideas: Food safety infographics, proper food storage tips, safe cooking temperatures guide, handwashing reminders, kitchen sanitation best practices.
Relevant hashtags: #FoodSafety #FoodSafetyMonth #SafeFood #KitchenSafety #FoodHygiene
National Tie Month
Menswear retailers, corporate outfitters, and professional development brands benefit from this niche observance.
Create content around professional dressing, tie styling guides, or the history of neckwear. Even businesses outside fashion can use this theme creatively to discuss professional presentation.
Post ideas: Tie-styling tutorials, history of different tie knots, professional wardrobe essentials, holiday party outfit ideas featuring ties, sustainable fashion choices.
Relevant hashtags: #TieMonth #Menswear #ProfessionalStyle #FashionTips #Neckwear
National Write a Business Plan Month
Perfect for business consultants, financial advisers, entrepreneurship educators, and professional development brands.
December’s reflective atmosphere makes it ideal for business planning content. Many entrepreneurs use year-end downtime to develop strategies for the coming year.
Share business planning frameworks, goal-setting methodologies, and financial forecasting tips. Offer free business plan templates or worksheets as lead magnets.
Post ideas: Business planning checklist, goal-setting frameworks, financial projection templates, market research tips, competitive analysis guides.
Relevant hashtags: #BusinessPlan #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessPlanning #StartupTips
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Toy retailers, parenting brands, and child safety organisations benefit from this theme.
Share guidance on selecting age-appropriate toys, identifying safety certifications, and avoiding recalled products. This valuable information positions your brand as a trusted resource for parents.
Post ideas: Toy safety checklist, age-appropriate gift guide, how to identify safety certifications, toy recall resources, safe play tips.
Relevant hashtags: #ToySafety #SafeToys #ParentingTips #ChildSafety #GiftSafety
Week-Long December Observances
Week-long observances allow deeper exploration than single-day holidays whilst remaining focused enough to create cohesive campaigns. Plan 3-5 posts throughout each relevant week rather than daily content.
These extended observances work well for educational content series, multi-part stories, or progressive campaigns building toward a specific call-to-action.
Computer Science Education Week (First week, includes 9th December)
Technology companies, educational institutions, and STEM-focused brands align naturally with this observance.
Promote coding education resources, highlight women and minorities in technology, or share your company’s technology education initiatives. Over half of consumers plan to use AI shopping tools for gift planning in 2025, making technology education increasingly relevant.
Partner with organisations like Code.org to promote free coding tutorials. Share career stories from your technology team members to inspire students considering tech careers.
Post ideas: Coding resource roundup, spotlight on diverse tech professionals, technology career paths explained, free programming courses, tech education impact stories.
Relevant hashtags: #CSEdWeek #HourOfCode #LearnToCode #TechEducation #ComputerScience #STEMEducation
National Handwashing Awareness Week (First full week)
Healthcare providers, wellness brands, cleaning product manufacturers, and public health organisations lead this conversation.
Share proper handwashing techniques through video demonstrations or infographics. Given ongoing public health awareness, this content remains highly relevant.
Post ideas: Proper handwashing technique video, hand hygiene facts, germ transmission prevention, hand care tips for frequent washers, hygiene products roundup.
Relevant hashtags: #HandwashingAwareness #HandHygiene #WashYourHands #PublicHealth #Hygiene
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Week (Third week)
This serious observance suits automotive brands, insurance companies, ride-sharing services, and safety organisations.
Share sobering statistics about impaired driving alongside practical prevention solutions. Promote designated driver programmes or ride-sharing discount codes for the holiday season.
Post ideas: Safe transportation alternatives, designated driver appreciation, impaired driving statistics, party hosting tips that discourage drunk driving, ride-sharing safety tips.
Relevant hashtags: #DontDrinkAndDrive #DesignatedDriver #DriveSober #RoadSafety #SafeDriving
December Daily Social Media Content Ideas (1st-31st)
This comprehensive daily calendar provides specific content ideas for every December date. Select dates relevant to your brand and audience rather than posting for every single observance.
Each entry includes the observance name, content suggestions, and relevant hashtags. Adapt these ideas to match your brand voice and audience preferences.
1st December: World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day raises awareness about HIV/AIDS and remembers those affected by the disease. Healthcare organisations, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and public health entities lead this conversation.
Share accurate information about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment advances. Highlight organisations doing crucial HIV/AIDS work and encourage donations or volunteer involvement.
Post ideas: HIV/AIDS awareness facts, testing location resources, spotlight on AIDS research advances, survivor stories (with permission), charity spotlights.
Relevant hashtags: #WorldAIDSDay #HIVAwareness #EndAIDS #KnowYourStatus #HIVPrevention
2nd December: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
This United Nations observance focuses on eradicating modern forms of slavery including human trafficking, forced labour, and child slavery.
Share educational content about modern slavery indicators and organisations combating trafficking. Discuss ethical supply chains and fair labour practices in your industry.
Post ideas: Modern slavery awareness facts, ethical sourcing practices, anti-trafficking organisation spotlights, supply chain transparency discussion.
Relevant hashtags: #EndSlavery #HumanTrafficking #FairTrade #EthicalSourcing #HumanRights
4th December: National Cookie Day
This lighter observance delights food brands, bakeries, restaurants, and consumer businesses adding festive cheer.
Share favourite cookie recipes, host a cookie exchange event, or offer cookie-related promotions. User-generated content campaigns asking followers to share cookie photos generate strong engagement.
Post ideas: Cookie recipe sharing, favourite cookie poll, cookie decorating tutorial, cookie exchange party planning, cookie delivery promotion.
Relevant hashtags: #NationalCookieDay #CookieDay #Cookies #Baking #HolidayBaking
5th December: International Volunteer Day
Celebrate volunteers’ contributions to communities worldwide. Non-profits, community organisations, and socially conscious businesses highlight volunteer impact.
Spotlight your company’s volunteer initiatives or team members who volunteer regularly. Encourage your audience to share their volunteer experiences.
Post ideas: Volunteer appreciation posts, volunteering opportunity directory, employee volunteer spotlights, volunteering impact statistics, how to get started volunteering.
Relevant hashtags: #VolunteerDay #Volunteering #GiveBack #CommunityService #MakeADifference
7th December: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
This solemn observance commemorates the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Military organisations, history educators, and patriotic brands acknowledge this significant date.
Share historical information respectfully. Focus on honouring veterans and remembering those lost rather than promotional content.
Post ideas: Historical facts about Pearl Harbor, veteran appreciation, museum and memorial highlights, educational resources, moment of silence announcement.
Relevant hashtags: #PearlHarborRemembranceDay #PearlHarbor #RememberPearlHarbor #Veterans #History
10th December: Human Rights Day
This date marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It connects directly to Universal Human Rights Month themes.
Share the declaration’s key principles or spotlight specific rights relevant to your industry. Technology companies might discuss privacy rights; retailers could address workers’ rights.
Post ideas: Human rights education, organisation spotlights, policy discussions, employee rights information, inclusive practice showcases.
Relevant hashtags: #HumanRightsDay #HumanRights #StandUp4HumanRights #Equality #Justice
11th December: International Mountain Day
Outdoor brands, travel companies, environmental organisations, and adventure businesses celebrate mountains’ importance.
Share stunning mountain photography, discuss mountain conservation, or promote mountain tourism destinations. Highlight environmental challenges facing mountain regions.
Post ideas: Mountain photography showcase, conservation challenges discussion, mountain travel guides, environmental protection tips, mountaineering safety information.
Relevant hashtags: #InternationalMountainDay #MountainDay #Mountains #Conservation #Nature
13th December: National Cocoa Day
Cafés, chocolate brands, beverage companies, and food businesses embrace this cosy observance.
Share hot cocoa recipes, host a hot chocolate bar event, or offer cocoa-related promotions. User-generated content showing favourite cocoa mugs generates warm engagement.
Post ideas: Hot cocoa recipe variations, favourite mug showcase, cocoa bar setup ideas, chocolate product features, cosy winter beverage promotions.
Relevant hashtags: #NationalCocoaDay #HotChocolate #CocoaDay #WinterBeverages #CozyVibes
14th December: Free Shipping Day
National Free Shipping Day represents a notable example for sales and promotions in December, strategically positioned for last-minute holiday shoppers.
E-commerce businesses use this date to drive sales through free shipping promotions. Highlight your free shipping offer across all social platforms with clear terms and deadlines.
Post ideas: Free shipping promotion announcement, last-minute gift ideas featuring free delivery, shipping deadline reminders, customer testimonials about fast shipping.
Relevant hashtags: #FreeShippingDay #FreeShipping #HolidayShopping #LastMinuteGifts #OnlineShopping
16th December: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
This playful observance suits food brands, confectionery businesses, and creative consumer brands adding fun to feeds.
Ask followers what they’d cover in chocolate or share creative chocolate-covered recipes. Host contests for most unusual chocolate-covered creation ideas.
Post ideas: Chocolate-covered recipe sharing, chocolate dipping tutorial, favourite treats poll, chocolate product features, chocolate making demonstration.
Relevant hashtags: #ChocolateCoveredAnythingDay #Chocolate #ChocolateLovers #Dessert #SweetTreats
17th December: Hanukkah Begins (2025)
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, typically begins in mid-to-late December. In 2025, Hanukkah begins on 17th December.
Share Hanukkah greetings, explain the holiday’s significance, or showcase Hanukkah-appropriate products and services. Respect the holiday’s religious significance whilst creating inclusive content.
Post ideas: Hanukkah traditions explained, latke recipes, menorah lighting significance, Hanukkah gift guides, dreidel game instructions.
Relevant hashtags: #Hanukkah #FestivalOfLights #Chanukah #HappyHanukkah #JewishHolidays
21st December: Winter Solstice
The shortest day of the year holds significance for many cultures. Wellness brands, spiritual businesses, outdoor companies, and nature-focused organisations connect with this celestial event.
Discuss winter solstice traditions across cultures, share tips for managing seasonal affective disorder, or celebrate the return of lengthening days.
Post ideas: Solstice traditions worldwide, winter wellness tips, seasonal affective disorder management, astronomy facts, nature photography from the season.
Relevant hashtags: #WinterSolstice #FirstDayOfWinter #Solstice #WinterSeason #Astronomy
24th December: Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve marks the final preparation day before Christmas. Consumer brands, retailers, and service businesses acknowledge last-minute activities.
Share last-minute tips, express excitement for the coming holiday, or showcase your team’s Christmas Eve traditions. Keep content light and festive.
Post ideas: Last-minute gift wrapping tips, Christmas Eve traditions sharing, extended hours announcement, team celebration photos, holiday countdown posts.
Relevant hashtags: #ChristmasEve #Christmas #HolidayCheer #ChristmasCountdown #FestiveSeason
25th December: Christmas Day
Christmas Day itself requires minimal social media activity. Most audiences spend the day offline with family and friends.
Schedule a simple holiday greeting post in the morning. Avoid heavy promotional content or expecting significant engagement. Save detailed posts for the days following Christmas.
Post ideas: Simple Christmas greeting, festive brand imagery, gratitude message to customers, minimal text with beautiful visuals.
Relevant hashtags: #ChristmasDay #MerryChristmas #Christmas2025 #HappyHolidays #ChristmasJoy
26th December: Boxing Day
Boxing Day holds significance in Commonwealth countries as a major shopping day. Retailers and consumer brands in UK, Canada, Australia, and similar markets leverage this sales opportunity.
Promote Boxing Day sales, share deals across social platforms, and create urgency around limited-time offers. This rivals Black Friday for retail significance in many markets.
Post ideas: Boxing Day sale announcements, doorbuster deals highlights, shopping guide posts, extended hours notifications, flash sale countdowns.
Relevant hashtags: #BoxingDay #BoxingDaySale #AfterChristmas #ShopBoxingDay #BoxingDayDeals
26th December-1st January: Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa celebrates African American culture and heritage through seven core principles. This week-long celebration provides opportunities for inclusive, educational content.
Share information about Kwanzaa’s seven principles (Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, Imani) or spotlight Black-owned businesses and creators.
Post ideas: Daily principle explanations, Black creator spotlights, African American culture celebration, Kwanzaa traditions education, unity and community themes.
Relevant hashtags: #Kwanzaa #HappyKwanzaa #AfricanAmericanCulture #Unity #Community
31st December: New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve brings reflection on the past year and excitement for new beginnings. This emotionally charged date generates high engagement across all industries.
Share year-in-review content, express gratitude to your community, tease upcoming 2026 plans, or host a countdown to midnight across time zones.
Post ideas: Year-in-review compilation, gratitude messages to customers, New Year’s Eve celebration safety tips, 2026 sneak peeks, countdown posts, resolution inspiration.
Relevant hashtags: #NewYearsEve #NYE #NewYears #ByeBye2025 #Hello2026 #NewYearNewBeginnings
Free December Social Media Templates and Resources
Streamline your December content creation with free templates and resources designed specifically for holiday social media marketing. These tools help maintain consistent visual branding whilst reducing design time.
Quality templates allow even businesses without dedicated design teams to create professional-looking social media content. Focus your energy on messaging and strategy rather than starting designs from scratch.
Canva Template Collections
Canva offers thousands of free holiday-themed templates optimised for every social platform. Search for “December social media templates” or “Christmas post templates” within Canva’s template library.
Create a brand kit in Canva with your colours, fonts, and logos. This allows quick template customisation maintaining brand consistency across all December posts.
Download templates in formats optimised for each platform: Instagram posts (1080x1080px), Instagram Stories (1080x1920px), Facebook posts (1200x630px), Twitter posts (1024x512px), LinkedIn posts (1200x627px).
Social Media Scheduling Tools
Scheduling tools become essential during December’s busy period. They allow you to plan content weeks ahead whilst maintaining flexibility for real-time engagement.
Buffer offers a free plan supporting three social channels with ten scheduled posts each. This suits small businesses or solo entrepreneurs managing basic December campaigns.
Hootsuite provides comprehensive scheduling with analytics and team collaboration features. Their free plan covers two social accounts with five scheduled posts.
Later specialises in visual content planning, particularly strong for Instagram-focused strategies. Their visual calendar helps you see how your feed will look before posting.
Content Calendar Templates
Downloadable content calendar templates help organise your December posting schedule across multiple platforms.
Create a simple spreadsheet tracking date, platform, content type, copy, hashtags, and visual assets needed. This organisation prevents last-minute scrambling and ensures consistent posting frequency.
Include columns for post performance metrics so you can track which December content resonates most strongly. These insights inform your holiday strategy for subsequent years.
Stock Photo Resources
Free stock photo sites provide high-quality holiday imagery when you lack original photography.
Unsplash offers thousands of free holiday photos with no attribution required. Search for “Christmas,” “winter,” “holidays,” or specific items like “gift wrapping” or “snow.”
Pexels provides another extensive free stock photo library with strong holiday collections. Videos are also available for creating dynamic social content.
Hashtag Research Tools
Effective hashtag use expands your December content reach beyond existing followers.
Hashtagify shows hashtag popularity, related tags, and trending patterns. This helps you discover niche December hashtags your audience actually uses.
Instagram and Twitter’s native search functions reveal how many posts use specific hashtags. Test potential hashtags before including them in your strategy.
Create a master list of 50-75 relevant hashtags organised by category: broad holiday terms, specific observances, industry-specific tags, and branded hashtags. Pull from this list when creating posts rather than researching hashtags repeatedly.
Bonus: Planning Ahead for January Content
Strong social media management requires thinking beyond the current month. As December concludes, begin planning January content to maintain momentum into the new year.
Many businesses experience a post-holiday slump in social media engagement. Strategic January planning counteracts this decline, keeping your audience engaged whilst competitors coast.
January Social Media Themes
January content naturally focuses on fresh starts, goal setting, and new habits. These themes resonate universally, making them adaptable across industries.
New Year’s resolutions provide endless content opportunities. Share tips for achieving common resolutions related to your industry. Financial brands discuss budgeting strategies. Fitness businesses share workout plans. Productivity tools offer organisation systems.
Consider these January content angles:
- New Year goal-setting frameworks and planning templates
- “New year, new you” product or service promotions
- January sales and clearance events
- Detox and wellness content following holiday indulgence
- Organisation and decluttering tips for fresh starts
Key January Observances
January includes numerous observances providing content hooks throughout the month.
National Mentoring Month throughout January suits professional development brands, educational institutions, and business coaching services. Share mentoring success stories or launch mentorship programmes within your community.
Veganuary encourages trying vegan eating throughout January. Food brands, restaurants, and wellness businesses create vegan content, recipes, and product spotlights.
Blue Monday (typically third Monday of January) acknowledges the year’s supposedly most depressing day. Mental health organisations and wellness brands share mood-boosting content and support resources.
Content Calendar Bridge Strategy
Create a content bridge between December and January maintaining engagement whilst acknowledging the tonal shift from festive to fresh-start content.
Final December posts should naturally transition into January themes. Your 30th or 31st December posts might ask followers about their 2026 goals or share your business’s new year intentions.
First January posts acknowledge the new year whilst avoiding excessive “new year, new you” clichés that quickly feel tired. Focus on specific, actionable content over generic motivational messages.
Plan January content by mid-December using the same strategic approach outlined in this guide. Identify relevant observances, batch-create content, and schedule posts allowing flexibility for trending moments.
Your December social media success depends on strategic planning combined with authentic engagement. These 100+ content ideas provide frameworks you can adapt to your brand voice and audience needs. Begin planning early, remain flexible for unexpected opportunities, and maintain consistent posting throughout this crucial marketing month.
For more guidance on maintaining consistent social media engagement year-round, explore our comprehensive social media content engagement strategies and content planning frameworks that complement these December-specific tactics.
