With December coming into view, here’s some content ideas you can adapt to reach an audience.
I’ve taken them from advice baked into training I offer just to make your life easier.
Stay safe this Christmas
A carousel of images to depict safety advice over the festive season. Switch off the Christmas tree lights overnight. Don’t leave cooked meat out in a warm room on Christmas Day unless you want food poisoning. That kind of thing. Text on image but with images recognisably local.
Why? Because carousels are the most popular content on Instagram and Facebook.
House Christmas tree displays
As an admin on a community Facebook group, let me tell you the content that is going gangbusters are shots of houses with festive lights. Avoid car number plates in the drives or telling people where the houses are just in case people don’t want the extra attention. Maybe even crowdsource it.
Why? Because the topic is hot and timely and public engagement can boost your other call-to-action posts.
A solutions journalism approach
Instead of four press releases that won’t go anywhere, try a round-up of things that may help the budget-conscious time-poor parent or carer. Of the 12 things you can pull together four may have been press releases in the past and the rest may be made up of things you overlook. Like a stroll in the park. Borrow a book from the library.
Why? Because solutions journalism content works effectively for outlets like the BBC and others.
Celebrate festive staff
On LinkedIn, the shot of the hospital porter in a Christmas hat pushing a trolley decked out with Christmas tinsel was the most popular content of the year for one NHS Trust.
Why? Because showing that you employ humans encourages people to work for you.
Show the Christmas card ideas
Often public figures like MPs or Mayors can choose a design from a Christmas-themed competition to design the next Christmas card. Share them all. You don’t have to identify them beyond a first name.
Why? Because parents, siblings, aunts and uncles and grand parents have Facebook accounts too. Engaging with your page means they are more likely to see your calls to action.
Put the bin collection info as a graphic not a link
Facebook hates links. It will penalise your post. Don’t ask people to click because they either won’t see it or just plain won’t. Add the info as a graphic and for accessibility at this to the body text.
Why? Because links get penalised but graphics can be shared in community Facebook and Whats App groups.
The first and last baby
If you are NHS and have a maternity ward setting up a last baby shot of 2025 and first baby of 2026 is pure win. You’ll have to send emails. You’lkl need to remember GDPR. It’ll be worth it.
Why? Because cute babies can work across every platform.
A post-Christmas carousel
Post a carousel of images to flag up the twixtmas messages you need people to see. Often, they are about recycling, taking exercise, avoiding access and places to remember for mental health support be they MIND, Samaritans or elsewhere. What can you do with a Christmas tree? Or shiny wrapping paper? Or do you have leisure centres where people can carry out a New Year resolution?
Why? Because carousels work on Facebook and Instagram.
Where were the website hits on Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2025?
NHS England did a particularly good post they published on Christmas Eve in 2024. In it they went through the most popular pages over the previous Christmas. Booze, burns and bites topped the list.
Why? Because people love data repackaged as a news story or fun content.
Pre-record a suitable 30-second video with a round-up of things to remember
Then post it at the right time over the festive period. If you plan ahead you can shoot, edit and post ahead of the game.
Why? Because vertical video on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn works.
For more, I deliver training to help you make sense of the changing landscape.
ESSENTIAL AI FOR PUBLIC SECTOR COMMS,