10 Holiday Social Media Campaign Ideas That Actually Drive Engagement

The holidays are here, which means your social feeds are about to be filled with twinkling lights, giveaways, and endless “Happy Holidays” posts. But while everyone’s posting, not everyone’s connecting. 

This time of year, attention spans are shorter than ever. Plus, competition is fierce. The brands that win on social media are the ones that make people feel something, whether it be joy, excitement, gratitude, or nostalgia. Brands that just push promotions are most likely to go ignored. 

If you’re looking for ways to make your content stand out (and rack up real engagement), Yovia Social can help with that! Here are ten holiday social media campaign ideas that go beyond the generic and help your brand shine all season long. 

1. Launch a “12 Days of Giveaways” Series

Nothing says “holiday spirit” like giving back to your followers. A 12-day giveaway campaign keeps your audience coming back day after day. Think daily prizes, shoutouts, or exclusive discounts. If possible, partner with complementary brands or local businesses to expand your reach and share audiences.

2. Celebrate Your Customers with a “Fan Feature” Series

The holidays are the perfect time to show gratitude. Create a mini spotlight series that celebrates your customers, clients, or fans. Share their stories, photos, or testimonials.

This not only builds trust but also creates user-generated content you can repurpose all year long. Everyone loves to be recognized, and this campaign makes your audience feel part of your brand’s story.

3. Host a Festive Photo Challenge

Encourage your followers to share photos based on a fun prompt like “Your Coziest Winter Blanket” or “Show Us Your Holiday Workspace.” Create a custom hashtag and repost your favorites on your feed or Stories.

To increase engagement, offer a small prize for the most creative entry or simply highlight the best submissions each week to keep momentum going.

4. Run a “Give Back” Campaign

Social media is not only about selling but also a great place to make a difference. Launch a campaign where a portion of your holiday proceeds goes to a local charity, or encourage followers to participate in an act of kindness challenge.

For example, for every comment or share, your brand can donate $1 to a charitable cause. These campaigns perform incredibly well because they tap into the true spirit of the season.

5. Bring the Festivities Behind the Scenes

Pull back the curtain and let your followers see your team in action! Whether it’s decorating the office, packing holiday orders, or volunteering in the community, behind-the-scenes posts humanize your brand and make your audience feel closer to you. Reels or TikToks work especially well for this purpose. 

6. Post an Interactive “This or That” Series

From peppermint mocha vs. hot cocoa to gift wrap vs. gift bags, “This or That” polls are fun, fast, and super shareable. Use Instagram Stories, LinkedIn polls, or TikTok duets to get your followers involved. It’s a lighthearted way to boost engagement while also learning more about your audience’s preferences.

7. Create a Year-in-Review Reel

Round up your brand’s biggest moments of the year, such as product launches, milestones, community events, or even bloopers. Pair the footage with trending audio or festive music for a nostalgic year-end recap that celebrates both your wins and your followers’ support. You can even tag employees, clients, or customers who were part of those moments to increase shares and reach.

8. Launch a Holiday Countdown

Everyone loves a countdown. Create a fun, visual countdown to Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s with daily content drops like limited-time offers, surprise tips, or inspirational quotes.
Consistency builds excitement, and countdowns give followers a reason to check back each day.

9. Host a Virtual Event or Live Stream

Whether it’s a Q&A, a “holiday hacks” tutorial, or a casual team chat about your favorite seasonal traditions, going live helps you connect in real time.

Live streams are perfect for humanizing your brand and sparking two-way conversation. You can even collaborate with influencers or local partners to broaden your audience and bring extra cheer to your feed.

10. Say Thank You…Authentically

Amid the sparkle and sales, don’t forget to pause and express genuine gratitude. Share a heartfelt post or short video thanking your followers, customers, and team for their support throughout the year.

Sincere messages of appreciation perform incredibly well because they remind people that there are real humans behind your logo.

Ready to Light Up Your Feed This Holiday Season?

The holidays are the perfect time to make your brand unforgettable. From strategy and content creation to influencer partnerships and performance tracking, Yovia Social can help you plan and manage social campaigns that sparkle with creativity and deliver measurable results.

Let’s make this holiday season your most engaging one yet! Reach out to Yovia Social today to get started.