Holiday Instagram Posts: 75+ Ideas & Templates for Every Industry (2026)

Holiday posts typically outperform regular content. But posting "Happy Holidays!" like everyone else won't cut it.

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Holiday Content Strategy

The 40/40/20 Rule

Don't just celebrate—provide value and drive sales while celebrating.

Timing Your Holiday Content

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Holiday Instagram Post Ideas by Type

Gift Guide Posts

Gift guides drive sales while providing genuine value.

Ideas:

• "10 Gifts Under $50 for [Your Target Customer]"
• "The Ultimate Gift Guide for [Hobby/Interest] Lovers"
• "[Your Products] That Make Perfect Gifts"
• "Last-Minute Gift Ideas (That Don't Look Last-Minute)"
• "Gifts for People Who Have Everything"

Template:

🎁 [Your Industry] Gift Guide [Year]

Stuck on what to get the [target person] in your life?

We've got you covered:

🎄 Under $25: [Product/idea]
🎄 Under $50: [Product/idea]
🎄 Under $100: [Product/idea]
🎄 Splurge-worthy: [Product/idea]

Save this post for holiday shopping! ✨

#GiftGuide #HolidayGifts #[YourIndustry]

Behind-the-Scenes Holiday Content

Show the human side of your business during the holidays.

Ideas:

• Team holiday party or celebrations
• Decorating the office/store
• Packing holiday orders
• Holiday team traditions
• End-of-year reflections

Template:

It's beginning to look a lot like [holiday] at [Business Name] 🎄

[Brief description of what's happening in photo/video]

We're so grateful for [community/customers/team] who make this season special.

What's your favorite holiday tradition? Drop it below 👇

#BehindTheScenes #SmallBusiness #Holiday[Year]

Holiday Sales & Promotions

Drive revenue without being overly pushy.

Ideas:

• Flash sales with countdown timers
• Gift with purchase promotions
• Free shipping thresholds
• Bundle deals
• Early access for email subscribers

Template:

🎅 HOLIDAY SALE: [X]% OFF EVERYTHING 🎅

For [limited time], take [discount] off your entire order.

Perfect timing to grab:
→ Gifts for your list ✓
→ Something for yourself ✓
→ Stock up for [next year] ✓

Use code [CODE] at checkout.

Link in bio → Shop now before it ends [date/time]!

#HolidaySale #[YourIndustry] #GiftShopping

User-Generated Content Features

Leverage your community for authentic holiday content.

Ideas:

• Repost customers using products as gifts
• Holiday photo contest
• Best decoration featuring your product
• Customer holiday stories

Template:

This is what the holidays are all about 💝

[Customer name] shared how they're using [product] to [benefit].

"[Short customer quote]"

We love seeing your holiday moments! Tag us to be featured.

#CustomerLove #[BrandName] #HolidayMoments

Educational Holiday Content

Provide value related to the season.

Ideas:

• Holiday survival tips
• Seasonal how-to guides
• Preparation checklists
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Expert tips for the season

Template:

[Number] [Holiday] [Tips/Hacks/Mistakes] You Need to Know

The holidays can be [challenge]. Here's how to [solution]:

1️⃣ [Tip one]
2️⃣ [Tip two]
3️⃣ [Tip three]
4️⃣ [Tip four]
5️⃣ [Tip five]

Save this for later! 📌

Which tip are you trying first?

#HolidayTips #[Industry]Tips #LifeHacks

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Industry-Specific Holiday Content Ideas

Retail & E-commerce

Food & Beverage

Beauty & Wellness

Fitness & Health

Service Businesses

Real Estate

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Holiday Caption Templates

Gratitude Captions

Another year of [what you do], another year of amazing [customers/clients/community].

We don't say it enough: thank you.

Thank you for choosing us.
Thank you for trusting us.
Thank you for being part of this journey.

Here's to [next year] 🥂

Happy [Holiday] from all of us at [Business Name] 💙

Promotional Captions

Not sure what to get them? We can help.

Our [holiday] sale is LIVE:
✨ [Deal 1]
✨ [Deal 2]
✨ [Deal 3]

Plus, free shipping on orders over $[amount].

Sale ends [date]. Link in bio to shop.

Engaging Captions

Quick poll for the holiday season 👇

[Option A emoji] Team [Option A]
or
[Option B emoji] Team [Option B]

This is a hill we're willing to die on. Drop your answer below!

Inspirational Captions

The holidays aren't about perfect [meals/gifts/decorations].

They're about:
→ Being present with people who matter
→ Moments that become memories
→ Gratitude for another year together

Whatever your holiday looks like, we hope it's filled with [peace/joy/love].

Happy [Holiday] ❤️

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Holiday Hashtag Strategy

General Holiday Hashtags

Combine With Industry Hashtags

#HolidaySale + #[YourIndustry]Gifts
#ChristmasGifts + #[YourNiche]
#NewYear + #[YourService]

Branded Holiday Hashtag

Create a campaign-specific hashtag:

• #[BrandName]Holiday2026
• #[BrandName]GiftGuide
• #12DaysOf[BrandName]

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Holiday Content Calendar Template

Black Friday Week

Christmas Week

New Year Week

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Holiday Story Ideas

Story Formats That Work

Story Series Ideas

• 12 Days of [Your Business]: Daily reveal leading to holiday
• Holiday Countdown: Daily tips or products
• Day in the Life: Holiday edition behind-scenes
• Gift Wrapped: Unboxing popular products as gifts

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Holiday Reel Ideas

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Post-Holiday Content

Don't forget the period between holidays and "back to normal."

Post-holiday content ideas:

• "How Was Your Holiday?" engagement post
• Exchange/return policy reminder
• New Year planning content
• Year-end wrap-up
• "What's Coming in [New Year]" preview
• Thank you for shopping with us
• Behind-scenes of post-holiday operations

Related Resources

Instagram Strategy:

• Instagram Story Ideas
• Instagram Marketing Strategies
• Reels Algorithm Guide
• Best Instagram Hashtags
• Instagram Business Account Setup

Content Planning:

• Content Calendar Guide
• Content Types Guide
• Holiday Marketing for Service Businesses
• Best Instagram Captions Guide
• Video Marketing Complete Guide

Seasonal & Promotional Marketing:

• Labor Day Social Media Posts
• Small Business Social Media Tips
• Viral Marketing Campaign Examples
• User Generated Content Guide