Holiday social media posts: 32 ideas and tips [2024]

With the festive season fast approaching, most businesses are gearing up to capture their audience’s attention and drive sales with engaging holiday-themed content. 

To stand out in a sea of seasonal posts, your posts must be engaging and outshine your competitors' content. In addition to embodying the holiday spirit, creativity and a little bit of branded charm are key here to making a lasting impression.

This guide shares 32 innovative ideas and actionable tips to help you elevate your holiday social media posts and campaigns to the next level. Whether you're rolling out exclusive products, running interactive polls, or sharing heartfelt stories, these strategies will make your social media sparkle during the most magical time of the year.

• Strategically align your social media posts with notable holidays yearly to boost engagement and drive sales.

• To maximize holiday social media engagement, use tactics like countdown teasers, limited-edition product highlights, flash sales, and user-generated content.

• Enhance your campaign's impact by planning content early, engaging with followers, being inclusive, and creating a sense of urgency.

• Avoid over-promotion, cultural insensitivity, and generic content to maintain follower interest and trust.

• Use Gelato’s print on demand services for personalized, localized holiday merchandise, ensuring fast and reliable deliveries.

Planning your social media posts around key holidays can strategically boost your engagement and sales. Here, we outline major holidays and observances to help you create a targeted and compelling social media calendar for your business.

January social media holidays

• New Year's Day

• National Spaghetti Day

• National Trivia Day

• National Hugging Day

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February social media holidays

• Valentine's Day

• Groundhog Day

• Presidents' Day

• World Cancer Day

March social media holidays

• St. Patrick's Day

• International Women's Day

• World Compliment Day

• Pi Day

April social media holidays

• Easter

• Earth Day

• World Health Day

• National Pet Day

• National Siblings Day

• April Fool's Day

May social media holidays

• Mother's Day

• Memorial Day

• National Wine Day

• International Nurses Day

• World Freedom Day

• World Bicycle Day

• Cinco de Mayo

June social media holidays

• Father’s Day

• World Oceans Day

• National Best Friends Day

• National Donut Day

• World Party Day

• National Ice Cream Day

• Pride Month

July social media holidays

• Independence Day

• World UFO Day

• International Joke Day

• Bastille Day

August social media holidays

• Back to School season

• National Lemonade Day

• Women's Equality Day

September social media holidays

• Labor Day

• World Mental Health Day

• National Coffee Day

• World Smile Day

• Patriot Day

October social media holidays

• Halloween

• World Food Day

• National Taco Day

• National Vegetarian Day

• National Pizza Day

• Indigenous Peoples' Day

• Columbus Day

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month

November social media holidays

• Thanksgiving

• Black Friday

• Cyber Monday

• Small Business Saturday

• World Kindness Day

• World Freedom Day

• World AIDS Day

• Veterans Day

December social media holidays

• Christmas

• Hanukkah

• New Year's Eve

• World AIDS Day

• Kwanzaa

The holiday season is a prime time to captivate your audience and drive sales. Here are 32 creative holiday post ideas for social media to help you effectively engage your followers and boost your holiday sales.

1. Highlight limited-edition holiday products

Showcase your exclusive holiday products to captivate your audience. Limited-edition items create a sense of urgency among shoppers and boost holiday sales, making them perfect for social media highlights.

Gelato’s print on demand tools can help you create stunning products with exclusive packaging that emphasizes the uniqueness of your brand. 

Here are a few ways you can showcase and promote these products via social media: 

• Post high-quality images of the limited-edition items.

• Share a countdown to the release date.

• Create an unboxing video to build excitement.

• Highlight the features that make these products unique.

2. Countdown teaser

A countdown teaser is like a digital advent calendar for your brand's biggest holiday sale or product launch, gradually building excitement day by day. By offering sneak peeks and little tidbits, you keep your audience engaged and eager to return for more, creating anticipation with every reveal.

Here's how you can enhance your holiday posts with a countdown teaser: 

• Build excitement by counting down to a special offer or product launch.

• Use eye-catching visuals to grab attention.

• Incorporate a call-to-action to boost engagement.

• Update daily for continuous interaction.

3. User-generated content

A simple snapshot of your product from a delighted customer, especially during the festive season, can carry more weight than any traditional marketing campaign. User-generated content (UGC) thrives on the authentic voices of customers, turning your social media feed into a vibrant community space where they share their own experiences with your brand.

Engage your audience with user-generated content by: 

• Encouraging customers to share holiday photos with your products.

• Hosting a holiday-themed photo contest.

• Featuring the best user content on your social media channels.

• Creating a branded hashtag for holiday submissions.

4. Flash sales and limited-time offers

Flash sales and limited-time offers are like a sprint in the shopping world—fast-paced, exciting, and packed with adrenaline. These sudden promotions don’t stick around for long, creating a sense of urgency that encourages shoppers to act quickly or miss out.

Maximize engagement during the holiday season with irresistible flash sales and limited-time offers by: 

• Highlighting deals with eye-catching graphics.

• Creating a sense of urgency with countdown timers.

• Using captivating captions to draw attention.

• Promoting sharing with exclusive follower discounts.

5. Behind-the-scenes glimpses

Behind-the-scenes glimpses pull back the curtain and reveal the raw, unpolished journey of creating holiday products. They showcase the craftsmanship, dedication, and passion that go into every item, offering a more intimate view of the process—from the little mishaps to the triumphant eureka moments.

Enhance your holiday social media campaigns with these tips for behind-the-scenes glimpses: 

• Show your team at work on festive projects.

• Share preparation for holiday events or sales.

• Highlight product creation processes.

• Give a sneak peek of your holiday decor setup.

6. Interactive polls and quizzes

Interactive polls and quizzes are a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience, especially when infused with holiday spirit. They go beyond simple distractions, providing an opportunity to interact, gather insights, and add festive charm to your brand’s social media presence.

Here are some ideas to boost engagement and make your audience feel involved through interactive polls and quizzes: 

• Run polls about favorite holiday foods or traditions.

• Create quizzes about finding the perfect holiday gift.

• Share trivia games related to holidays.

7. Stories of giving back

The holiday season is about more than just festive celebrations—it's a time of kindness and compassion. "Stories of Giving Back" highlights the charitable initiatives your brand supports during the holidays, showcasing the positive impact you're making. 

Today's consumers want to align with brands that reflect their values. When a brand actively supports a cause, it resonates deeply with socially conscious shoppers, fostering stronger brand loyalty.

Sharing stories of giving back can humanize your brand and inspire your audience to: 

• Know about the community service/donations your business engages in.

• Share their own stories of kindness and generosity.

• Read about local charities or causes you support and join in on your efforts.

8. Collaborations and giveaways

Collaborating with relevant brands can amplify your holiday giveaway, reaching wider audiences and offering diverse prizes. 

Custom merchandise, like t-shirts, mugs, or wall art created via Gelato's print on demand platform, adds a personal and memorable touch, perfect for the holiday season.

Festive season collaborations and giveaways are powerful. Here are a few ideas: 

• Join forces with relevant influencers to expand reach.

• Collaborate with complementary brands for mutual benefit.

• Offer bundled products as prizes to entice participation.

• Donate a portion of proceeds to a worthy cause for a feel-good angle.

9. Holiday-themed tutorials

Holiday-themed tutorials are a fantastic way to engage your audience while offering valuable content. With Gelato, you can design and produce customized items to accompany your tutorials, enhancing your holiday campaigns. 

Here are some unique ideas for holiday-themed tutorials: 

• Create DIY holiday decoration guides.

• Offer step-by-step holiday recipe videos.

• Host live gift-wrapping sessions using Gelato's custom paper designs.

10. Customer holiday spotlights

Highlight your customers’ festive spirit by featuring their favorite holiday moments. Design custom holiday-themed products and encourage your audience to share photos using a branded hashtag. Doing so fosters community engagement and showcases your brand's customer satisfaction. Here's how: 

• Feature a "Customer of the Week" with their holiday traditions.

• Share photos of customers using your holiday products.

• Create a collage of customer holiday moments and tag them.

11. Festive memes or humor posts

Share festive memes and humorous posts on your social media to spread holiday cheer. Create visually captivating memes that resonate with your audience. Memes offer a playful way to stay relevant and engage users during the holiday season. 

Ideas you can implement include:

• Creating and sharing customized holiday meme templates with your brand’s colors

• Injecting playful humor into your content to highlight holiday promotions

• Sharing jokes related to everyday holiday experiences

• Engaging your audience with holiday-themed caption contests

12. Holiday product unboxing

Showcasing holiday-themed product unboxings can captivate your audience and build anticipation. Create custom holiday packaging designs and locally produce your holiday products, ensuring timely delivery and a memorable unboxing experience. 

Try out these unique ideas for holiday product unboxing posts: 

• Live unboxing events to generate real-time excitement.

• Customer unboxing videos to showcase authentic reactions.

• Themed unboxing challenges with exclusive giveaways for added engagement.

13. Gift guide posts

Gift guide posts will boost holiday sales by showcasing your products as perfect presents. Gelato makes this easier with customizable design options and locally-produced items, ensuring timely delivery. Highlight a variety of products to cater to different tastes and budgets. 

You can implement ideas like: 

• Creating themed gift guides (e.g., "Gifts for Mom").

• Featuring customer reviews to build trust.

• Including high-quality images and Gelato's custom products.

• Offering exclusive holiday discounts within the guide.

14. Holiday season decor inspiration

Transform your social media feed with festive decor ideas! Showcasing enchanting decor puts everyone in the holiday spirit. Use design tools to craft custom decorations, adding a personal touch. Share DIY decor projects and spark creativity. 

Ensure you implement these ideas for maximum impact:

• Creating and posting step-by-step DIY garland tutorials

• Repurposing everyday items into holiday decor

• Highlighting locally sourced ornaments

• Showcasing eco-friendly decoration ideas

15. Sneak peek of holiday deals

Offering a sneak peek of your holiday deals can build excitement and anticipation among your audience. Easy-to-use design tools can help you create stunning visual teasers that capture attention. 

Here are some unique ideas to implement: 

• Share a countdown timer to the reveal.

• Post a blurred image of the deal with a "Guess what's coming?" caption.

• Create teaser videos showcasing glimpses of upcoming promotions.

• Offer early access to loyal followers via a private link or code.

16. Christmas poll on favorite traditions

Engage your audience by running a Christmas poll on their favorite holiday traditions. Use eye-catching graphics to highlight various festive activities. Tailored visuals will boost interaction, making your poll stand out on any platform. 

Here are some unique poll ideas:

• What's your must-watch Christmas movie?

• Favorite holiday dessert: Cookies, Pie, or Cake?

• What is the best time to open presents: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

• Your go-to Christmas tree style: Real or artificial?

17. Share holiday music playlists

Sharing holiday music playlists can capture the festive spirit and engage your audience. Create custom playlist covers and share them on social media. These personalized playlists can enhance your holiday campaigns, making your posts more interactive and visually appealing. 

Ideas to implement include:

• Create genre-specific holiday playlists.  

• Collaborate with influencers for curated playlists.  

• Share a new song each day leading up to a festive event.  

• Host a poll asking followers to choose their favorite holiday songs. 

18. Throwback holiday photos

Engage your audience by sharing nostalgic throwback holiday photos. These posts add a personal touch and can evoke warm memories, fostering a deeper connection with your followers. Use Gelato to turn these moments into memorable prints or custom products, enhancing your holiday campaign. 

Here are some ideas that you can implement:

• Share a photo from a past holiday event and discuss its significance.

• Post a then-and-now comparison to highlight growth or change.

• Invite your audience to share their throwback photos.

19. Customer holiday reviews

Encourage your customers to share their holiday reviews to build trust and authenticity. Create and share professional-looking customer reviews on social media to boost your credibility and enhance customer engagement.

Here are some ideas: 

• Share customer review graphics designed with Gelato.

• Create video testimonials from satisfied customers.

• Highlight user-generated content featuring your products.

• Host a holiday review contest to encourage feedback.

20. Holiday product bundle promotions

Holiday product bundle promotions are excellent for boosting sales and delighting your customers. Create custom holiday bundles that cater to diverse tastes and preferences, enhancing your holiday marketing efforts. Leverage design tools and local production from Gelato for quick and high-quality outputs. 

Here are some unique ideas for holiday product bundle promotions: 

• Create themed bundles (e.g., winter essentials, festive treats).

• Offer limited-edition bundles with a holiday touch.

• Pair bestsellers with holiday-themed items.

• Collaborate with other brands for cross-promotional bundles.

21. Festive Instagram Story templates

Enhance your Instagram Stories with engaging templates designed to capture holiday excitement. Various design tools allow you to create festive, visually appealing content quickly. Don’t miss the chance to add a touch of holiday magic to your stories and keep your audience coming back for more.

Here are unique ideas to implement: 

• Use daily countdown templates.

• Create interactive Q&A about holiday plans.

• Post behind-the-scenes sneak peeks with festive frames.

• Spotlight customer stories with festive backdrops.

22. Countdown to shipping deadlines

Encourage your audience to complete their shopping by highlighting holiday shipping deadlines. Gelato can ensure your custom products arrive on time with local production. Easy-to-create visuals reminding customers of cut-off dates can drive last-minute sales and boost engagement. 

Unique ideas you can implement include: 

• Creating a countdown timer graphic

• Sharing daily reminders with product highlights

• Offering a "last chance" discount

• Posting customer reviews to build urgency

23. Christmas movie marathon ideas

Kick-start the festive cheer by sharing your favorite Christmas movie marathon ideas. These can create engagement and excitement amongst your audience. Design custom movie night invitations that your audience will love to download and share. 

Try implementing these unique ideas:

• Host a virtual holiday movie marathon and invite your followers.  

• Share watchlists and reviews of classic holiday movies. 

24. Holiday self-care tips

Self-care is crucial during the holiday hustle. Share tips to help your audience unwind and rejuvenate. Custom relaxation products can inspire followers to indulge in much-needed “me-time” and maintain well-being during the holidays. 

Unique self-care ideas include: 

• Sharing relaxing holiday playlists

• Offering downloadable guided meditation sessions

• Creating DIY spa day kits using local Gelato products

• Talking about mindful holiday journaling practices

25. "Spot the Difference" festive image

Engage your audience with festive "Spot the Difference" images, a playful way to boost interaction. Use Gelato's design tools to create custom images, adding branded elements that resonate with your holiday theme. This fun activity keeps your followers engaged and connected with your brand during the festive season. 

Here are a few ideas to implement: 

• Create holiday-themed images featuring your products.

• Add subtle, branded differences to make it challenging.

• Encourage followers to comment on the differences they find.

• Offer a small prize for correct answers to increase participation.

26. Employee holiday greetings

Employee holiday greetings can humanize your brand and foster a sense of community. You can design custom greeting cards and holiday messages featuring your staff. 

Here are a few employee holiday greetings ideas:

• Share a video montage of employees' holiday wishes.

• Feature individual employee shout-outs with their favorite holiday traditions.

• Post group photos of team celebrations and activities.

• Create personalized e-cards using Gelato’s design tools and post these on your social media.

27. Holiday-themed recipe posts

Sharing holiday-themed recipe posts can enchant your audience and boost engagement. Use Gelato’s design tools to craft visually appealing recipe cards that align with your brand aesthetic. 

Ideas you can implement include: 

• Feature festive drinks and desserts with step-by-step instructions.

• Share users' holiday recipe creations by tagging your brand.

• Host a recipe contest and announce winners on social media.

• Offer downloadable recipe ebooks designed on Gelato.

28. New Year's resolution ideas related to your products

New Year's resolutions provide a perfect opportunity to align your products with your audience's fresh goals. You can design personalized items that inspire healthy habits, productivity, or creativity using Gelato. Showcase these products in creative ways to help customers meet their resolutions. 

Implement resolution ideas like: 

• Custom journals for goal-tracking.

• Water bottles to promote hydration.

• Motivational wall art for daily inspiration.

• Fitness planners for workout schedules.

29. Holiday gift-wrapping tips

Create custom wrapping paper that complements your brand and delights your customers. Offer gift-wrapping tips to elevate your customer's holiday gift-wrapping skills and add a unique touch to their presents. 

Here are a few creative ideas to get started: 

• Use branded wrapping paper featuring festive designs.

• Incorporate eco-friendly, sustainable materials like recycled paper.

• Add personalized gift tags or messages.

• Try out creative folds and ribbon techniques for extra flair.

30. 12 Days of Christmas-themed posts

Celebrate festive cheer by creating a "12 Days of Christmas" social media series. Highlight limited-edition holiday merchandise using Gelato's design tools—leverage local production for timely fulfillment of these unique Christmas items. 

Try implementing these ideas:

• Day 1: Launch a unique product each day

• Day 5: Holiday trivia contest with prizes

• Day 8: Share customer stories or testimonials

• Day 12: Grand finale giveaway

31. Holiday wish lists

Holiday wish lists are a great way to engage your audience by showcasing your products in a festive light. Create visually appealing wish lists for your followers, making it easier for them to shop.

Here are some unique ideas: 

• Create interactive wish lists that followers can share.

• Host a "Wish List Wednesday" where followers post their lists.

• Highlight top wish-listed items to drive sales.

• Encourage followers to tag friends who might fulfill their wishes.

32. Virtual holiday events or live-stream celebrations

Virtual events and live streams bring a festive atmosphere to your audience, no matter where they are. Use Gelato to create custom branded materials like digital invitations and banners to boost engagement, keeping your brand front and center during your celebrations. 

Here are a few ideas you can implement: 

• Host a virtual holiday party with team members or customers.

• Offer live product demonstrations or Q&A sessions.

• Stream a holiday-themed craft or cooking class.

• Run a live giveaway to excite your audience.

When crafting holiday social media posts, balancing creativity with strategy is crucial. Knowing what to do and what to avoid can help you engage your audience effectively and build a positive brand image. Let's explore some key dos and don'ts below.

Do:

• Plan ahead: Planning is crucial for a successful holiday campaign. Create a social media content calendar to schedule posts, ensuring consistent and strategic engagement throughout the festive season.

• Use festive visuals: Make your posts pop with festive visuals! Utilize holiday colors, themed graphics, and eye-catching imagery to captivate your audience. Gelato's design tools make creating stunning visuals for social media campaigns easy.

• Engage with followers: Respond promptly to comments and messages, create interactive posts like polls and questions, and encourage user-generated content to build a community feel. Show gratitude for their support and feedback.

• Be inclusive: Incorporate diverse holiday celebrations to resonate with a broader audience. Acknowledge different traditions to ensure everyone feels valued and included, enhancing brand loyalty and fostering a more inclusive community.

• Show gratitude: Express appreciation to your followers and customers—a heartfelt thank you post can strengthen relationships and foster loyalty. Utilize personalized messages or special shout-outs to make your gratitude genuine and memorable.

• Create a sense of urgency: Encourage immediate action with time-sensitive deals. Phrases like "limited-time offer" or "while supplies last" can prompt quick decisions. This urgency will drastically boost your engagement and sales during the upcoming holiday season.

• Use hashtags: Hashtags will considerably boost your post's visibility. Use popular holiday hashtags to reach a broader audience and connect with social media trends. Tools like Gelato can help create unique, hashtag-ready visuals for your campaigns.

Don't

• Over-promote: Avoid bombarding your target audience with constant promotions. Instead, balance sales posts with engaging, valuable content that resonates with your followers. This approach helps maintain interest and fosters a more genuine connection.

• Ignore cultural sensitivities: Ensure your posts respect and acknowledge the diverse backgrounds of your audience. Always be mindful of different cultures, traditions, and holidays to avoid offending followers and foster an inclusive environment on your social media platforms.

• Post generic content: Most people quickly overlook generic posts. Instead, tailor your content to your audience's preferences and interests. Personalization and creativity are crucial to standing out and fostering genuine connections during the holiday season.

• Flood your audience: While consistent posting is essential, overwhelming your followers with too many updates can lead to fatigue and unfollows. Focus on quality over quantity to keep your audience engaged and eager for more.

• Neglect customer service: Customer service is crucial during the holidays. Respond promptly to inquiries and address issues swiftly to maintain customer satisfaction. Your responsiveness can make or break their holiday experience, impacting future sales and brand loyalty.

• Forget to personalize: Remember to tailor your holiday messages to your audience's preferences and behaviors. Personalized content resonates more, fostering stronger connections and driving higher engagement. Utilize customer data to create meaningful and targeted posts that feel authentic.

• Be insensitive to current events: Stay aware of global and local news. Posting insensitive content can harm your brand's reputation. Always consider your audience's feelings and show empathy in your holiday social media campaigns.

• Neglect accessibility: Accessibility is crucial for inclusive content. Ensure your posts are readable with alt text for images, proper color contrast, and video captions, ensuring everyone can enjoy your holiday messages.

• Go off-brand: During the festive season, maintaining your brand's voice is crucial. Avoid posts that stray from your core message or aesthetics, as this can confuse your audience and weaken your brand's overall impact.

As the holiday season approaches, these creative social media ideas will help you create campaigns that captivate and engage.

Gelato is your partner in holiday success. We offer a unique advantage: locally produced custom products with lightning-fast delivery. Our extensive print on demand network spanning 34 countries ensures you can quickly provide customers with personalized products, no matter where they are. 

With Gelato, you can think globally and act locally to create a truly memorable holiday shopping experience.

Sign up for Gelato today and choose from our flexible subscription plans to start planning now to make this your most successful holiday season yet!