These writing ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter. You can use them for social media, blog posts, newsletter articles, and more. If you would like these ideas sent to your inbox a month in advance, sign up for our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts. I send this email newsletter the first week of every month with prompts for the following month. For example, I will email the prompts for January, 2020 the week of December 2nd. Sign up now to get prompts emailed to you monthly.
On the Calendar
You’ll find events with specific dates on the .
12/4: Santa’s List Day. This is the day Santa makes his “Naughty or Nice” list. Highlight those that advocate for your cause and those that are against it.
12/7: Letter Writing Day. Write an open letter to your supporters, volunteer, clients, etc. Or write your own letter to “Santa” asking for gifts.
12/10: Human Rights Day. Commemorates the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights.
12/15: Bill of Rights Day. Highlight one of the first 10 amendments that relates to your cause and how our country would be different without it.
12/21: Winter Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day is the shortest day of the year. How are others “in the dark” about your cause?
12/22: Hanukkah begins. Reflect on the joy and renewal of Hanukkah or share what you have overcome this year despite great odds.
12/23: Festivus. A completely made-up holiday popularized by Seinfeld. One of its traditions is the “Airing of Grievances,” so take this time to vent about something that is frustrating you — hopefully in a humorous way!
12/23: Roots Day. If Festivus doesn’t appeal to you, use this day to trace the history of your organization’s founding.
12/25: Christmas. Make a wish list for Santa and his elves asking for things your organization needs. Highlight some of the little miracles you bring to your clients.
12/26: Kwanzaa begins. Relate each of the 7 day’s principals to what your organization is doing. (Unity, self-determination, responsibility, family, purpose, creativity and faith).
12/31: New Year’s Eve. Share your resolutions, trends for 2019 or a “Top Ten” list from 2018.
Other dates in December:
- 01: World AIDS Day
- 03: #GivingTuesday
- 03: International Day of People with Disabilities
- 05: International Volunteer Day
- 05: World Soil Day
- 09: International Anti-Corruption Day
- 18: International Migrants Day
Metaphor of the Month
This month’s metaphor is Faith and Spirituality. Think about angels, revival, prayer, church, temples, mosques, meditation, values, reincarnation, salvation, miracles, sins, devotion, spirits, pagan, religion, belief, and worship.
How can you relate these things to your organization?
Pop Culture, Events, and News
Football (both college and the NFL) will be winding down with teams jockeying for better bowl games and the playoffs. And hockey and basketball will be heating up.
Another Democratic Presidential Debate will take place the 19th.
Movies being released this month include Jumanji: The Next Level, Little Women, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, 1917, and Cats.
In TV news, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Project Runway, The L Word: Generation Q, The Witcher, and Truth Be Told will premiere this month and Hallmark movies and other Christmas specials will also be very popular.
You’ll see plenty of “best” and “worst” gift idea lists, as well as holiday sales reports from retailers dominating the news. Can you make a list of your own?
Source of the Month
Highlight local events. There are lots of things happening this time of year. Even if your organization isn’t holding an event, be a helpful friend and share what’s going on in your community. Let people know where they can go to help or where people can go to get help. Share any holiday parades, tree-lighting ceremonies or other events.
