Ready to make your content the gift that keeps on giving? In today’s newsletter, we're unwrapping:

• 2026 Social Media Trends – What’s rising, what’s fading, and how to stay ahead of the scroll.

• Series Content Ideas for December – Festive, flexible themes to fill your calendar (and feed).

• Two Trending Reels Worth Trying – Simple, personality-packed formats any Rhody business can use to boost reach fast.

• Visual Hooks That Actually Stop the Scroll – Easy, high-impact tricks to catch eyes and boost engagement.

Social Media Trends to Watch in 2026

Spoiler alert: it’s more DMs, more real people, and less copy-paste content.

The world of social media is moving faster than your morning scroll, and 2026 is shaping up to be the year brands stop broadcasting and start connecting. According to a trend forecast by Red Website Design, everything from customer service sliding into DMs to sustainability becoming the actual selling point is changing the way businesses show up online. So, what does that mean for Rhody brands? Here are the key shifts you need to know:

1. Customer Service Goes Fully Social

Forget the “contact us” form. DMs are now the go-to support channel, and people expect fast, helpful replies, both on the app and in real-time.

How to use it:

• Set up automated replies for FAQs

• Create quick DM workflows

• Track response times and reply like a human (not a robot)

2. Employee-Led Content Builds Trust

Your team is your most credible influencer. People connect with people, so featuring your staff = content gold.

How to use it:

• Prompt simple team stories (“What’s your favorite product in the shop right now?”)

• Share behind-the-scenes snapshots

• Let personalities shine—no scripts needed

3. Social Responsibility Becomes Strategy

Being “eco-friendly” isn’t enough. In 2026, your values need to show up on your feed. Transparency, impact, and ethics are baked into daily content, not just Earth Day posts.

How to use it:

• Document real efforts (messy progress > polished claims)

• Highlight community giving, local sourcing, or sustainable swaps

• Celebrate customer participation

4. Cross-Platform Content Is the Norm

One idea. Five formats. Ten posts. Smart content repurposing = more visibility with less burnout. (Amen.)

How to use it:

• Turn one blog post or product feature into Reels, carousels, emails, and pins

• Use templates for consistency + speed

• Track what works and reuse it

Still Reigning: Short-Form Video

Yes, Reels and TikToks are still on top. No, they’re not going anywhere. Short videos continue to drive the most engagement – especially when they feel natural, fun, and personality-packed.

What works now:

• Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds

• Add music + captions

• Show real people doing real things

Content Ideas Wrapped & Ready

December content doesn’t have to be all glitter and gift guides (though, honestly, we’re not mad about it). This is your moment to connect, inspire, and show up in a way that feels festive and authentic.

Holiday & Seasonal Themes:

Reflecting and Resetting
Think end-of-year wisdom, lessons learned, or what 2025 taught you. Keep it honest, hopeful, and human.

Holiday Gifting
Curate practical, thoughtful, or budget-friendly gift ideas. Shoppers are looking for easy wins and meaningful finds.

Christmas (December 25)
Lean into nostalgia. Festive decor, favorite traditions, and little moments of joy are all fair game.

New Year’s Eve (December 31)
Share how you’re celebrating or prepping for 2026. Think routines, rituals, or what you’re saying goodbye to.

• For a local maker: Highlight your most giftable products in a short-form video or Story series.
  For a fitness studio: Share wellness-focused reflections and how clients can finish the year strong.
  For a service-based business: Run a "Book Before the Ball Drops" promotion to lock in January appointments.

Festive Series Ideas:

12 Days of…
Create a countdown series featuring daily tips, prompts, or product spotlights. Keep it consistent and easy to follow.

Holiday Recipes
From nostalgic family dishes to modern twists, people love seeing what’s baking. Invite your audience to share theirs, too.

End-of-Year Cleanout
Show how you're tidying up—whether it’s your shop, your inventory, or your desktop. Everyone loves a fresh start.

Countdown to 2026
Each day, share one thing you’re doing to prep for the new year. This works well for Stories, Reels, or carousels.

• For a boutique: “12 Days of Holiday Looks” to inspire festive fashion
  For a bookstore: A “12 Books of the Season” guide
  For a wellness brand: A countdown of quick self-care tips to close out the year

Trending Topics You Can Tap Into:

Year-in-Review
Recap your top moments, bestsellers, milestones, or customer love. It’s not bragging—it’s storytelling.

2026 Goal Setting
From vision boards to habit-building, give your audience something to plan around.

Holiday Traditions
Share your team’s favorite seasonal traditions, local events, or ways you celebrate with family.

Winter Fashion
Think layers, cozy textures, color palettes, and yes, ugly sweaters still play well.

• For artists or makers: Post a “2025 Favorites” series featuring top-selling or fan-favorite pieces
  For eateries: Spotlight team holiday traditions or drinks that scream winter comfort
  For stylists: Share a reel or carousel of go-to looks for New Year’s Eve

This month’s content doesn’t need to be complicated. Let it reflect your brand’s personality, your community, and what makes your space feel like home – whether it’s a storefront, a studio, or a side hustle.

Your Shortcut to Scroll-Stopping Content 👀 

If your feed has felt a little… sleepy lately, consider this your creative wake-up call. Trending audio + scroll-stopping visuals are still two of the fastest ways to boost reach without rebuilding your entire content strategy from scratch. And this month, we’ve got three high-performing formats—two audio trends and a suite of visual hooks—to help your brand show up smarter, funnier, and far more clickable.

Below: the trends every Rhody business can steal, plus easy ways to make them your own.

Trend 1: “So come on, Superman, say your stupid line…”

Tame Impala’s moody classic “The Less I Know the Better” is having a very unserious revival—and creators are using the line “So come on, Superman, say your stupid line” to poke fun at the phrases they say on repeat.

See an example here

The structure:

• Dramatic lip-sync to the lyric

• Hard cut to your overused phrase

It’s quick, relatable, and personality-heavy… the content trifecta.

Ideas for Rhody Businesses:

• Boutiques: Your line: “This would be so cute on you.”
  Eateries: Your line: “It’s not on the menu, but…”
  Fitness: Your line: “Just one more rep.”
  Realtors: Your line: “This one won’t last long.”
  Restaurants: Your line: “Our specials change daily.”
  Artisans: Your line: “I can finish this tonight.”

Trend 2: “Your partner doesn’t want flowers…”

A six-second trending audio with no lip-syncing required? A gift. This trend is perfect for spotlighting your product or service in the simplest way possible.

See an example here:

The structure:

• Sign 1: “Your partner doesn’t want flowers.”

• Sign 2: “They want [insert what your business sells].”

• Camera pan. Message delivered.

Faces are optional. Hands + signs = success.

Ideas for Rhody Businesses:

• 
  Retail: “They want that sweater you keep eyeing.”
  Restaurants: “They want dinner they didn’t cook.”
  Spas/Salons: “They want a massage and some quiet.”
  Gyms: “They want to feel strong going into 2026.”
  Jewelry/Makers: “They want something handmade and meaningful.”
  Home Services/Real Estate: “They want more space, less stress.”

Why it works: It grabs attention immediately, communicates value instantly, and fits any brand with something worth gifting.

Rhody Extra: Visual Hooks That Actually Stop the Scroll

Attention spans are shorter than a December sunset, but visual hooks are here to save the day. These formats make your content instantly more watchable, memorable, and shareable. Best of all? They’re simple.

1. Basket Frame Effect

Two views in one: the setup and the reveal framed inside a basket or drawer.
Best for: skincare, boutiques, gift shops, makers.

2. Stop Motion

Playful, punchy, personality-packed.
Best for: bakeries, florists, product launches

3. Split Screen

One video, two angles. A transformation in a single glance.
Best for: tutorials, salons, restaurants, fitness

4. Hand Transition

A swipe that teleports viewers somewhere new.
Best for: travel, fashion, event reveals

5. Reverse Effect

Unwrapping, un-pouring, reversing time – in the most satisfying way.
Best for: unboxings, product reveals

TL;DR

Trending audio brings personality. Visual hooks boost retention. Put them together and your December feed becomes a powerhouse of engagement—even if you’re filming on a Tuesday afternoon between customers..