Can we all admit that the holidays kinda sneak up on us? EVERY year?

Well, not this year! This year, we’re not waiting for holiday music to hit the mall before we start thinking about the holiday posts creeping up on our calendars. This will be the year that we think of our Black Friday posts more than a week before they’re due to be posted!

So, while I’d rather not think about the holidays before my mid-November birthday, it’s better to be early than be left scrambling!

Whether you run a cozy retail shop, a local service-based biz, or a seasonal tourism operation, your audience is already thinking about holiday shopping and get-togethers.

Here are 5 must-have posts to prepare in advance:

1. Holiday Hours + Ordering Deadlines

People want clarity and reminders because, seriously, who can keep track of everything? Knowing your open hours, order cut-offs, and shipping timelines helps your customers plan and reduces the chance of missed sales.

Canada Post moved from a national strike to rotating strikes on Oct 10, so deliveries are happening but delays are expected and service guarantees are suspended. But build in extra time, bump your order cut-offs up by at least a week, and offer options like local pickup, courier upgrades, or e-gift cards so no one’s waiting on a last gift December 23.

What to include:

Your hours from mid-November to early January
Order deadlines for shipping or local pickup
Any special holiday closures (e.g., closed Boxing Day or open late for a market)

Pro tip:
Pin this post to your feed and add it to your Instagram Story highlights for easy access.

2. Best Sellers + Gift Guides

People are busy and they have too many things on their minds. And honestly, because we do handle most of the holidays, most of the time, us Moms are busy trying to do ALL the things and think of ALL the things!

Make it EASY by curating ideas for who your product or service is perfect for. Plus, gift guides boost visibility and help customers see themselves buying from you.

Types of content to try:

“Gifts under $25 / $50 / $100”
“Gifts for teachers, moms, coworkers, your BFF…”
“Best-Sellers You Can’t Go Wrong With” carousel
A short Reel of your top 3 gift picks

Pro tip:
Create multiple formats: graphics for carousels, short videos for Reels, and quick versions for Stories. You can reuse them throughout November and December.

3. Customer Love or Testimonials

If you haven’t noticed yet, Social proof builds trust and social proof works! Hello, welcome to the Influencer world.

When people see others enjoying your products or services, they’re far more likely to buy, especially around the holidays when gift-giving pressure is real. If they see something their child, husband, mother, etc. may like, they’ll pick it up.

Ideas for sharing:

Screenshot a glowing review + add a branded background
Repost a tagged customer photo with a thank-you
Share a short video or a quote from a happy client
Tell a mini customer story: “Last year, Sarah gifted our pottery mugs to her whole office…”

Pro tip:
Use these throughout your gift guide posts as supporting content; they’ll add authenticity to every product spotlight.

4. Behind-the-Scenes Prep

People LOVE seeing what goes into running a small business, especially during busy seasons. We also like to see pretty shiny things, and we love to watch others unboxing stuff, so SHOW US!!! It builds appreciation, connection, and gives your audience a reason to root for you.

Content to show:

Staff holiday setup
Product packing and shipping
Market booth prep
New stock arrivals
Your messy, beautiful workspace mid-season!

Pro tip:
This content doesn’t have to be polished. A quick Story or Reel using trending audio can feel real, fun, and relatable.

5. Heartfelt Holiday Message

The holidays are emotional, and your audience wants to feel like they’re part of something. A heartfelt message reminds people that when they shop small, they support real people.

Ideas to include:

Thank your community, team, or customers
Reflect on the past year
Share a personal holiday tradition
Wish everyone a safe, joyful season

Pro tip:
Schedule this one early, and consider using it again right before your holiday break.

Your Holiday Content Checklist:

✅ Post your hours + deadlines
✅ Share best-sellers or gift guides
✅ Sprinkle in social proof/testimonials
✅ Take your audience behind the scenes
✅ Plan a personal holiday message

Looking for an influencer or help to promote your Local Nova Scotia product? Let’s chat!

5 Posts To Create Now To Be Ready For The Holidays🎄