Tomorrow’s for turkey - today’s for trends. Before you dive into mashed potatoes and cranberry bliss, here’s what’s hot in the world of content and social this season:

•  Reel talk: Instagram just dropped a camera update that makes editing Reels smoother than your aunt’s gravy.

• Coming in hot: Four fresh Reels trends to try in December, perfect for wrapping up the year with scroll-stopping content.

• Freebie alert: Our festive What’s in Your Bag/Basket? Canva template is here just in time for holiday hauls, gift guides, and beauty basket reveals.

Reels Camera Just Got a Glow-Up ✨

Instagram rolled out a fresh batch of Reels camera upgrades - and creators, this one’s basically your early holiday gift.

• Record like you mean it. You can now capture up to 20 minutes of video in-app… even though IG still prefers Reels under 3 minutes. (We see you, long-winded storytellers.)

• Editing just got smoother. A new “Undo” button lets you quickly delete your last clip without rage-tapping your screen.

• Touch-ups with finesse. A shiny new slider lets you tweak beauty filters with actual nuance—not just “on” or “way too on.”

• Greenscreen got greener. Expect cleaner cutouts and fewer weird blurry edges around your pillows.

• Better timers, better countdowns. Because nothing says “pro creator” like not sprinting into frame at the last second.

Overall: Reels creation is easier, prettier, and more flexible - just remember, shorter videos still win the algorithmic popularity contest. Read the full article by Andrew Hutchinson online at SocialMediaToday.com.

4 Trends to Try in December

‘Tis the season for hot cocoa, holiday shopping, and hopping on the right social trends. We pulled together the ones perfect for Rhode Island small businesses so you can stay festive, relevant, and delightfully scroll-stopping.

Trend 1: “This & Nobody Telling Me…”

Holiday indulgence is in full swing, and this trend is basically a love letter to treating yourself. Add text over your clips that reads: “This & nobody telling me I don’t need that” while filming the irresistible things people always justify buying.

🎥 What You Need to Shoot:
Take close-up, aesthetic shots of products like ornaments, pastries, candles, jewelry, cozy displays, anything gift-worthy. Keep it handheld and warm. Add the on-screen text and pair with upbeat audio.

Rhody Rec: This trend works best when you pick items that are delightfully hard to resist.

• Gift Shops: Candles, mugs, mini Rhode Island ornaments.

• Bakeries: Holiday sweets people absolutely “don’t need but definitely do.”

• Jewelry shops: Your sparkliest pieces = instant temptation.

• Florists: Seasonal bouquets and wreaths.

Trend 2: “Everything Will Work Out”

This motivational (and slightly unhinged) audio celebrates hustle-mode energy. Creators use it to show dedication to their goals — chaotic, inspiring, and relatable all at once. Perfect for small businesses wrapping up the year.

🎥 What You Need to Shoot:
Capture raw, fast-paced clips of your work: packing orders, prepping dough, styling mannequins, restocking shelves, editing photos, or setting up for an event.

💡Rhody Rec: Use it to highlight year-end grind or behind-the-scenes chaos.

• Artists/Makers: Holiday market crunch time.

• Caterers: “150 cookies, due tomorrow? Sure.”

• Fitness studios: Coaches prepping new-year programs.

• Nonprofits: Volunteers organizing donations.

Trend 3: Beauty Basket

Creators place their phone inside a basket surrounded by products, and the phone plays videos demonstrating each one. It’s soothing, stylish, and wildly addictive to watch.

🎥 What You Need to Shoot:
Grab a basket, towel, pretty surface, and 3–5 products. Place your phone in the center with footage of each item in use. Record from above as you swap products around the frame for a clean, spa-like aesthetic.

Rhody Rec: Great for anything sold in sets or steps.

• Spas & skincare shops: Serums, rollers, masks.

• Lifestyle boutiques: Self-care bundles.

• Wellness brands: “Morning routine” or “night reset” kits.

• Apothecaries: Oils, soaps, balms.

Trend 4: “In Your 20s / 30s / 40s…”

A reflective, comforting audio that creators pair with clips of themselves embracing big life (or business) moments. It’s soft, powerful, and endlessly shareable.

🎥 What You Need to Shoot:
Film cozy, warm-toned moments: opening your shop, journaling at a café, working by a window, or prepping a project. Add the prompt:
“In your 30s, there will be a ___. It’s very important that you ___.”

Rhody Rec: Use this trend to show your journey and the heart behind your work.

• Life coaches & therapists: Emotional reflections.

• Libraries: Quiet morning moments.

• Creators & makers: “In your 30s, you might start over. It’s very important you try anyway.”

• Real estate agents: “In your 40s, you may finally create your dream home. It’s important to enjoy the process.”

Free Template: What’s in Your Bag (or Basket)?

Trend 3 has us all thinking: what’s in the basket this season? Whether you’re heading to a holiday party, gifting your favorite gloss, or just treating yourself (you deserve it), this What’s in My Bag/Basket Canva template is your festive new content BFF.

Tap the button below to grab the free template and make it your own. Perfect for beauty lovers, small biz owners, and content creators looking to show off their seasonal must-haves in style.

Use it as-is or put your own spin on it - your followers are gonna love the peek inside.