It’s September 1st: Has Your Holiday Content Planning Started?
I know it still feels like summer here in Florida. In Tampa, we still have our afternoon showers. Days are spent wearing flip-flops, sipping on iced tea, and all, but the calendar doesn’t lie. September 1st is here, which means one thing for bloggers: it’s officially time to kick off your holiday content planning. From pumpkins and spooky costumes to Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas lights, readers are already searching for ideas. If your posts aren’t live and ready to be shared soon, you risk missing out on the wave of seasonal traffic that can carry your blog into the new year. No one wants that!
Now, if you have been hanging around Simply SUnni for a while now, you know I love a good freebie almost as much as I love printable checklists! So, of course, I have one here for you! Download, print, and keep this list up by your workspace all year long. That way you are always staying ahead of the holiday craziness!
Holiday Content Calendar Checklist – Snag it for free.
Why September 1st Is the Sweet Spot for Holiday Content Planning
Here’s the thing: Google isn’t instant. (Gasp!) And you may not know this if you are one of my beginner bloggers, but it takes 2–3 months for blog posts to climb the rankings. So if you want your Halloween recipes, Thanksgiving tips, or Christmas gift guides to shine, they need to be published now, not later. That gives search engines time to index your posts and puts your content right in front of readers exactly when they’re looking for it.
SEOClarity reports that the best time to create and publish holiday content is during the summer months—from June through September—so your content has time to get indexed and climb the rankings before demand surges in October and beyond. – SEOClarity.
And it’s not just about search engines, I mean, have you entered a store lately? Shoppers and all types of audiences are in a mindset shift the moment September hits. Parents are juggling school schedules, shoppers are already browsing fall décor, and Pinterest is exploding with pumpkin everything. Starting your seasonal content now means you’ll be ready to ride that momentum all the way through Q4.
Who Should Start Prepping Now (and Why)
The truth is, holiday content planning isn’t just for food bloggers (though they definitely benefit big-time). Almost every niche can tap into the holiday rush and use it to grow traffic, boost engagement, and even increase income. In fact, we are prepping every one of our clients for the holidays as we speak. Here’s who should be thinking ahead, starting today:
🍴 Food Bloggers
Food bloggers thrive in Q4. Think cozy casseroles, pumpkin bread, spooky treats for Halloween, and holiday cookies. The earlier you publish, the more likely your recipe will get pinned, saved, and shared by readers planning their menus. Pro tip: Have at least one pumpkin recipe live by mid-September so it has time to rank before October.
🏡 Lifestyle & Home Bloggers
Seasonal décor, holiday organization, and cozy home refreshes are all trending right now. From DIY pumpkin wreaths to “how to decorate your home for fall,” readers love a good before-and-after this time of year.
Don’t forget: early gift guides are golden. Shoppers start searching in October, so publish now and reshare later.
👩👧👦 Parenting & Family Bloggers
Kids’ costumes, family activities, and classroom crafts all see a huge spike. Parents aren’t waiting until the last minute; they’re planning now. A fall bucket list or printable checklist can bring tons of traffic, especially if shared on Pinterest or in parent Facebook groups.
✈️ Travel Bloggers
Haunted destinations, fall foliage road trips, and Thanksgiving travel hacks are hot topics in September. Readers are making travel decisions months in advance, so your content needs to be live now to be found in time.
🛍️ Fashion & Beauty Bloggers
Fall wardrobes, cozy layers, and holiday party looks are staples of Q4 (even if we Floridians cannot even think of layers yet). Halloween costume inspo and seasonal makeup tutorials (“pumpkin spice palettes” or “smoky holiday glam”) can pick up traction quickly if published early.
🧩 Craft & DIY Bloggers
From spooky porch décor to handmade ornaments, crafty posts always shine during this season. Teachers and parents are searching for ideas now, so don’t hold back on sharing tutorials or step-by-step guides.
📖 Book & Entertainment Bloggers
Think cozy fall reading lists, spooky book roundups, or classic holiday movie guides. Readers want inspiration for what to read or watch as they make the most of the season.
💻 Business & Blogging Coaches
Even business-focused blogs can lean into the season with holiday content strategies, seasonal SEO tips, or Black Friday marketing guides. Q4 is make-or-break for many small businesses, and your advice can be the difference between panic and preparation.
How to Get Ahead Without Rushing Your Work
One of the biggest mistakes bloggers make during the holiday season is waiting too long and then scrambling to push out content at the last minute. I remember the sheer panic that would set in each year when I was writing for multiple food bloggers at a time.
When you’re in a rush, your writing feels flat, your graphics look rushed, and you miss the chance to really polish your work.
The good news? September gives you the breathing room you need.
Here’s how to stay prepared and keep the quality high:
1| Batch Your Content Creation
Set aside a block of time to outline or write 2–3 posts in one sitting. You’ll get into a rhythm and save time in the long run.
2| Repurpose What You Already Have
Turn last year’s popular post into a new version—update it, add fresh images, or create a checklist/freebie to go with it. A simple refresh can boost SEO and give readers more value.
3| Plan Your Socials Alongside Your Blog
Every blog post can spin off into pins, reels, carousels, and stories. Schedule those pieces now, so your social media works for you all season long.
4| Use Scheduling Tools to Stay Consistent
Tools like Tailwind, Later, or your WordPress scheduler ensure that content rolls out on time, even if life gets busy.
When you start now, you’re not just checking boxes; you’re creating content you can be proud of and setting yourself up for a smooth, successful holiday season.
Quick Checklist for September Content
If you only do one thing this September, friend, let it be this: get your holiday content on the calendar. A little planning now keeps you from scrambling later. Here’s a handy checklist to guide you through the next few months:
- By Mid-September: Have your Halloween content live (think pumpkin recipes, spooky décor, costume ideas, haunted travel spots).
- By Mid-October: Publish your Thanksgiving posts (recipes, table settings, gratitude activities, travel tips).
- By Early November: Get your holiday shopping and gift guides out. Readers are already browsing for deals before Black Friday.
- By December 1st: Roll out Christmas and end-of-year reflections. Don’t forget New Year’s posts—goal setting, organization, and fresh starts are highly searched.
Pro Tip: Add these deadlines to your planner or digital calendar now. Treat them like non-negotiable appointments. You’ll thank yourself when the holiday rush hits.
Get Ahead and Watch Your Holiday Traffic Grow
Friend, September 1st is your green light. While the rest of the world is just starting to sip their pumpkin spice lattes, you have the chance to get a step ahead and set your blog up for a season of success. Holiday content planning doesn’t have to feel rushed or stressful. It’s simply about giving yourself the time and space to create content that shines.
So here’s your challenge: Take a look at your calendar today and set your deadlines. Decide which posts you’ll publish this month, what you’ll refresh from last year, and how you’ll repurpose them across social media. Start now, and by the time the holidays arrive, your content will already be out there working for you.
To make it even easier, I’ve created a Holiday Content Calendar Checklist you can grab for free.
It’ll help you track deadlines, brainstorm seasonal ideas, and stay on top of your publishing schedule. Click below to download it today and start planning with confidence.
