I don’t know about you, but I always get a bit nostalgic in December. I know - every day is a chance to start anew. But, somehow, when a year is about to end I find myself more conscious of time and choices. It seems like in the course of a year, everything happens and at the same time nothing happens. Does that make any sense?

Having the urge to recap and stand still for a bit, is something I know I’m not alone in. And it’s fun and rewarding to travel back in time in the weeks leading up to New Year and seeing how you’ve changed. And to build up a sense of excitement for the unknown that’s right around the corner, every day.

In today’s Blog Class, I wanted to talk with you about how to include the ‘end of a year’ sentiment in your blog - whatever the topic of your website may be. I’ve thought about a few ways to create New Year’s themed posts that will interest your readers and are great fun to put together for you. I’m curious to hear which ideas appeal to you!

Count down with a calendar. Whether you or your readers simply can’t wait for this year to be over or are bursting with excitement for this big evening, counting down always feels relevant in the last week or so. A great way to do so is with a special content formula around a one time theme (say: a party DIY tip every day in the week leading up to New Year’s Eve). Another fun way of counting down together with your readers, and thanking them for their readership, could be to do so with a give away calendar. This doesn’t have to be anything very costly, anything you made yourself is a wonderful gesture too. (For example, how great would it be to send a reader a personal letter, or offer them personal advice and expertise through a Skype or e-mail session? Something I’d love to win, if I were a loyal reader of a blog).

Recap your best read or personal favorite posts. I’m sure you put a lot of thought, love and effort in to your blog and the articles that you write. There is probably about a handful of posts that you are most proud of and that really stand for what you and your blog are about. It could be a photo shoot that you’ve arranged, styled and shot yourself, an interview you did with someone you greatly admire, or a big post reviewing the most memorable runway shows of the year - just to give a few examples. Your readers will probably love to see a personally and carefully put together selection of your work, as the selection of posts tells them something about who you are and why you do what you do.

Set goals for 2015 - and go in to detail on how you would’ve scored on those this year. It could be blogging goals that you have, for example starting every Monday with an outfit post and responding more to the comments you get. It could be personal goals, such as calling your friends every week to alternate with all the texting. Give your audience a little insight in to your dreams - big or small - and ask them to share theirs in the comments as well.

Tell your readers five things you’ve learned about blogging in this year. Over the years I’ve found that a lot of blog readers are bloggers themselves. So, as a result, many of them can relate to your experiences - good or bad - whether you’re a fulltime blogger or just enjoying this as a hobby. Did you finally manage to keep up a steady flow of content next to your fulltime job? Did you find out that posting a video every week makes your readers feel more connected to you? Did you learn that working together with another blogger is better for both of you than thinking in terms of competition? Your readers will want to know!

Share your favorites of 2014. Those favorites could be specified to whatever your blog is about. Say you have a food blog… You could do a round-up of favorite recipes you’ve tried out this year, of cookbooks you’ve discovered, of ingredients that you tasted for the first time, of things that you failed absolutely miserably at in the kitchen, and so forth. If you have a beauty blog, your readers might love to see what your favorite beauty looks of the year were, what new beauty releases excited you most, what products you liked but wouldn’t buy again in the new year, what you’ve learned in terms of inner beauty, and so forth.

Give them fresh, new ideas to celebrate the New Year, related to your blogs topic. As if you’re party planning together, share your insights and expertise on that big night. Are you an interior blogger? You could write about how to get your home cleaned up after a get-together in under less than an hour, or how to make a New Years’ piñata, or how to DIY a tassel garland, or take them through a detailed time schedule of how you get ready for a party at your place with photos and all. Put your creative spin on a traditional celebration!

I hope this gave you some new ideas on how to incorporate the approaching end of the year in to your blog. And I’d love to know how do you put a spin on your blogs content with New Year’s Eve coming up? Can’t wait to hear what you have in store for your readers!

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