How to Map Out Your Blog Content for the Holiday Season If You’re a Book Blogger

One thing that literally changed the way I approach blogging, especially after more than 5 years of experience, is actually learning how to plan my content ahead. 

Honestly, I used to do everything by the fly of my pants, but that was leading to burnout, and I was crashing out more often than recommended. 

So I knew I needed to devise another way that would give me the results I wanted – or even better – while making sure I was protecting my mental and physical health.

Planning ahead is literally the best thing you can do for your blog. 

What this entails, essentially, is making sure you know the kind of content you want to write, the platforms you want to distribute to, and just having a good handle on every aspect of your blog.

I believe this is common knowledge, but the third quarter of the year is essentially one of the biggest for both blog RPMs and traffic. 

If you want to maximize your potential of getting a lot of eyes on your blog, then you need to start planning now. 

Even though it may feel a little early, you should absolutely start now and you won’t regret it.

In this post, I’ve shared the way I go about planning my blog content for the holidays, and it has really helped me so far.

First Things First: Don’t Wait Until December (But If You Do, It’s Okay)

The best time to start brainstorming holiday posts is around September or October. 

That gives you breathing space to create, schedule, and promote. 

But sometimes life gets in the way, and you don’t start until late November.

I’ve been in both camps. 

One year I was so early I had posts scheduled weeks ahead, and another year I was scrambling just days before Christmas. 

The truth is that both worked. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to start.

Even if you’re late this year, jot down any ideas you don’t use and save them for next year. 

It makes planning so much easier the second time around.

Make a Big List of Holiday Blog Post Ideas 

When I’m brainstorming, I start by writing down every single festive idea that comes to mind even the silly ones. 

Later, I narrow it down to the ones that feel doable.

Here are tons of holiday blog ideas you can pull from:

1. Christmas reading lists (romances, thrillers, classics, novellas, children’s books)
2. Holiday gift guides for book lovers (by genre, by budget, by mood)
3. Books I Want to Read Before the Year Ends
4. A 12 Days of Christmas style blog series (12 books, 12 quotes, 12 authors, etc.)
5. Your cozy holiday TBR stack
6. End-of-year reading reflections (favorites, disappointments, surprises)
7. New Year reading goals + resolutions
8. Holiday-themed tags (Blogmas, Bookmas, etc.)
9. If Santa Was a Book Blogger fun post
10. Favorite cozy reading snacks/drinks
11. Bookish Christmas wishlist
12. Books to gift non-readers (yes, it’s possible!)
13. DIY bookish gift ideas
14. Holiday movie + book pairings
15. Reading nook inspiration (winter version)
16. Your top 10 books of the year
17. Most anticipated 2026 releases
18. Favorite authors to read during the holidays
19. A reflection on your year as a blogger

When I started out, I honestly copied the format of what other bloggers were doing (like gift guides or TBRs), but I made mine book-specific or personal.

Build a Simple Content Calendar (Your Own Way)

I used to think a content calendar had to be this big, fancy spreadsheet with color codes. 

Then I realized I don’t work that way. I need something flexible but clear.

I started with a blogger’s planning guide template – it had spaces for dates, posts, notes, etc. – but I ended up stripping it down. 

Now, I keep it simple:

1. Post idea/title
2. Target date
3. Notes (like graphics, links, or promo plans)
4. Checkmark once it’s published

That’s it. It’s not intimidating, but it keeps me on track.

Honestly, don’t overcomplicate your system.

A plain notebook, a Google Doc, or even sticky notes can work.

Be Real About Your Limits

Every December, I get tempted by the idea of Blogmas (posting every day until Christmas). 

And every December, I remind myself that I can’t. Not without burning out.

And that’s okay. What works for some bloggers won’t work for everyone.

If you can realistically post 5 good holiday posts, that’s still amazing. 

Your readers will appreciate quality over quantity.

My rule now is that I plan for less, and if I manage more, that’s a bonus.

Reuse and Refresh What You Already Have

This one has saved me so many times. 

If you’ve been blogging for more than a year, you don’t need to start from scratch. Look at your old posts and ask:

1. Can I update this with new books?
2. Can I reframe it for the holidays?
3. Can I bundle related posts into one ultimate guide?

I once had a general Cozy Mystery Books list, so I updated it into Cozy Mystery Books for Christmas Nights and it did so much better. 

Small tweaks can make a big difference.

Think About Promotion While You Plan

Writing the post is only half the job – the other half is making sure people see it. 

During the holidays, Pinterest and social media can really make your posts take off.

Here’s what I usually do:

1. Create at least 8–15 Pinterest pins per holiday post
2. Spread out the posting so it feels consistent and not spammy
3. Share older holiday posts again (because they’re still relevant)

This way, you’re not just publishing, and rather you’re keeping the older content alive.

Have a Backup Plan for Busy Days

Holidays get chaotic – shopping, family, last-minute events. 

Some weeks, writing a big blog post just isn’t possible. That’s why I keep a few easy posts on standby.

Things like:

1. A quick list post (5 Short Books You Can Read Before Christmas Eve)
2. A reflection post (The Book That Surprised Me Most This Year)
3. A photo-heavy post (your decorated shelves, your cozy nook, etc.)

These don’t take long to write, but they keep your blog active.

Don’t Forget the New Year

Christmas is big, but don’t stop there. 

People are just as excited about fresh starts in January.

Some ideas to transition into the new year:

1. Your top 10 books of the year
2. Reading goals for next year
3. Most anticipated 2026 releases
4. What I Learned From Blogging This Year
5. A reading challenge you’re hosting/joining

This helps you carry that holiday momentum into January instead of fizzling out.

Team Up With Other Bloggers

The holidays are so much easier (and more fun) when you’re not doing it alone. 

Find another book blogger and do something together – a guest post swap, a joint reading challenge, or even just a fun holiday book tag.

It cuts the work in half and brings both your audiences together.

I once joined a Christmas book tag, and it felt like a party in the comments section. 

Honestly, it was one of the easiest ways I’ve ever added holiday content to my blog.

Write a Bunch at Once and Relax Later

Instead of stressing over posts one by one, pick a weekend to draft or outline a handful at once. 

Then schedule them so they go live automatically throughout December. 

Even if you only get three done, it’s three less things to worry about when you’re busy sipping cocoa and wrapping gifts.

The year I batched ahead, I felt so free. 

Posts went up on time while I was actually enjoying the season instead of frantically typing.

Let Pictures Do the Talking Sometimes

Not every blog post has to be a big essay. 

Some of the easiest holiday posts are photo-heavy ones: a tour of your decorated shelves, a flat lay of your TBR with fairy lights, or even a cozy shot of your reading corner. 

Readers love these because they’re quick, festive, and easy to share on social media.

One December, I did nothing but post pictures of my shelf with short captions, and it surprisingly became one of my most-viewed posts. 

Sometimes simple really does win.

Get Your Readers Involved

The holidays are about connection, so let your readers join in. 

Ask them questions like Which book should I read on Christmas Eve? or run a little poll on your blog or Instagram. 

You could even share a quick choose my December TBR post and let them decide.

I once let readers pick between two holiday romance books, and the comments section exploded. 

People loved checking back to see which book won.

Keep a Holiday Idea Stash for Next Year

You’re going to come up with more ideas than you can use. 

Don’t throw them away – save them in a notebook, Google Doc, or note-taking app. 

Next year, when you’re staring at a blank page in September, you’ll already have a whole list waiting for you.

I started doing this a while back, and it makes holiday planning feel ten times easier. 

Half the work is already done before the season even starts.

Holiday blogging doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 

The trick is to plan ahead just enough, be honest about what you can handle, and not be afraid to add your own spin.

So whether you’re going all out with Blogmas or just writing a few cozy posts, remember: your holiday content doesn’t need to be perfect – it just needs to feel like you.