Running out of ideas for engaging your writing community during the holidays? Holiday posts can feel tricky when your audience is global and diverse. These ready-to-use templates take the guesswork out of celebrating together, helping you spark meaningful conversations and honor every member's traditions.
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Holiday posts tap into shared moments, fostering connection and belonging within your community. By inviting members to reflect on their own traditions or memories, you encourage personal storytelling and cultural exchange, which are core to non-fiction writing. These prompts also create a safe, inclusive space where members celebrate both what unites and differentiates them.
This approach boosts participation because it meets members where they are emotionally, especially during times when people seek connection. By focusing on appreciation and open invitation, you help members feel valued and seen, increasing their willingness to engage and share.
Moreover, these posts introduce creative prompts that can inspire writing projects, journal entries, or discussions. This keeps your group active and relevant, even when members are busy with holiday commitments.
Happy holidays! What writing traditions do you follow this time of year?
💡 Example: "During the holidays, I journal every morning. What writing traditions do you follow this time of year?"
It's Lunar New Year! Share a non-fiction story or memory that celebrates new beginnings.
💡 Example: "For Lunar New Year, my family moved to a new city. Share a story that celebrates new beginnings."
How does your writing routine change during the holidays, if at all?
💡 Example: "I write at night during the holidays. How does your writing routine change during the holidays?"
What holiday inspires you to write non-fiction pieces and why?
💡 Example: "Thanksgiving inspires me to write about gratitude. What holiday inspires you to write non-fiction?"
Share a favorite childhood holiday memory that you have written about or want to write about.
💡 Example: "One Christmas, I got my first diary. Share a favorite childhood holiday memory."
Which non-fiction book do you revisit every holiday season?
💡 Example: "I always reread 'A Christmas Memory' by Truman Capote."
How do you balance writing and celebrating during holidays?
💡 Example: "I set aside 30 minutes before guests arrive. How do you balance writing and celebrating?"
Do you use holidays as inspiration for essays or memoirs? Share your approach.
💡 Example: "I write an essay after every New Year. Do you use holidays as inspiration?"
What is a unique holiday tradition from your culture that you have written about?
💡 Example: "We light lanterns for Diwali. What is a unique holiday tradition from your culture?"
Share a photo or description of your writing space decorated for the holidays.
💡 Example: "Here is my desk with fairy lights! Share yours."
What non-fiction topics become more meaningful to you during the holidays?
💡 Example: "Family history feels more meaningful. What about you?"
Have you ever written about a difficult holiday experience? How did it help you process it?
💡 Example: "Writing about a lonely New Year helped me heal. Have you ever written about a difficult holiday?"
What is the most memorable holiday gift you have received that inspired your writing?
💡 Example: "A set of pens inspired my journal. What is your most memorable writing-related holiday gift?"
Do you set writing goals for the new year? Share one with us.
💡 Example: "I plan to write daily in 2024. Do you set writing goals for the new year?"
Tell us about a holiday tradition that has shaped your perspective as a writer.
💡 Example: "Our annual storytelling night shaped my writing voice."
What does gratitude mean to you as a non-fiction writer during the holidays?
💡 Example: "Gratitude helps me focus on small joys. What does it mean to you?"
Is there a holiday essay or article that you reread every year? Share the title or link.
💡 Example: "I reread David Sedaris's 'Six to Eight Black Men' every year."
What foods are part of your holiday tradition, and have you written about them?
💡 Example: "I wrote an essay about making tamales with my family."
Share a memorable story about writing during a holiday trip or vacation.
💡 Example: "I wrote my first article on a train during Spring Festival."
How do holidays influence your choice of non-fiction topics?
💡 Example: "Holidays make me reflect on family history. How do holidays influence your writing?"
What is one holiday custom you have discovered through writing?
💡 Example: "I learned about Kwanzaa from interviewing a friend."
Do you write more or less during holiday seasons? Why?
💡 Example: "I write less because I'm busy with family."
Have you written about a holiday from another culture? Share your experience.
💡 Example: "I wrote about Ramadan after interviewing my neighbor."
What is your favorite holiday writing prompt? Share it with the group.
💡 Example: "My favorite is 'describe your family's holiday table.'"
How do you keep your writing practice alive during busy holiday times?
💡 Example: "I write short journal entries each night."
Which holidays are most meaningful to your writing journey and why?
💡 Example: "Mother's Day inspired my memoir."
What is the best piece of writing advice you have received during a holiday?
💡 Example: "My aunt told me to write about what scares me."
Share a line or passage you have written about holidays.
💡 Example: "'The smell of cinnamon rolls meant Christmas had arrived.'"
Do you give or receive books as holiday gifts? Tell us about a favorite exchange.
💡 Example: "I received 'Bird by Bird' for Hanukkah."
What writing milestones have you reached during holiday seasons?
💡 Example: "I finished my first draft on New Year's Eve."
How do you capture the sights and sounds of holidays in your non-fiction writing?
💡 Example: "I describe the colors and music at our festival."
Do you have a favorite holiday essayist or memoirist? Share their name and why.
💡 Example: "I love David Sedaris for his holiday pieces."
What new holiday would you invent for writers? Describe the traditions.
💡 Example: "I would create 'Writers' Reflection Day' for sharing drafts."
Has a holiday ever sparked a major change in your writing style or topic?
💡 Example: "After a tough Thanksgiving, I started writing personal essays."
What holiday memory do you wish more people wrote about?
💡 Example: "I wish more wrote about quiet winter mornings."
Do you write letters or cards during holidays? Share a favorite message.
💡 Example: "I wrote, 'May your year be filled with stories.'"
Share a non-fiction piece you love that captures the essence of a holiday.
💡 Example: "'A Christmas Memory' by Capote captures the holiday spirit for me."
How do you honor your ancestors or heritage in your holiday writing?
💡 Example: "I write stories about my grandmother's recipes."
What role does reflection play in your writing during holidays?
💡 Example: "Reflection helps me process the past year."
Do you have a holiday playlist or soundtrack that inspires your writing?
💡 Example: "I listen to classic jazz while writing in December."
What is a small holiday tradition that brings you joy and deserves to be written about?
💡 Example: "Lighting candles with my kids brings me joy."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste your chosen prompt into your community platform. Adjust the holiday or details if needed to suit your members' backgrounds. Post ahead of the holiday to give members time to respond, and follow up by liking and replying to their comments. Encourage participation by sharing your own example or story to break the ice. Rotate holidays throughout the year to include global traditions.
On all platforms, use eye-catching visuals or emojis to highlight your holiday post. Pin or feature the post during the holiday period to increase visibility. Encourage replies with follow-up questions and tag active members to jumpstart engagement.
Aim to use them for major holidays and at least once a month to include diverse celebrations and keep engagement fresh.
Absolutely. Adapt the templates to fit any holiday your community celebrates, and add context for global understanding.
Use open-ended prompts, acknowledge multiple holidays, and invite members to share their unique traditions or experiences.
Approach with empathy, offer opt-out options, and focus on universal themes like reflection, gratitude, or new beginnings.
Start with low-pressure questions, share your own story first, and respond warmly to all contributions to lower the barrier to entry.
Images or relevant visuals can boost engagement, but well-crafted text prompts alone are effective. Use both where possible.
Yes, but refresh the wording or add new context to keep the conversation lively and acknowledge returning members.