December 2025 TikTok Trends: Viral Moments You Need to Know
What’s Trending on TikTok Now in December 2025
December on TikTok is a mix of holiday chaos and cozy sentimentality. While November leaned into soft lighting and slow living, this month turns up the volume with nostalgic finales, DIY countdowns, and over-the-top edits. From Zootopia 2 couple selfies to glitchy holiday mashups, TikTok is where creators are turning year-end vibes into viral content.
Want a quick snapshot? Here are the trends, sounds, and formats dominating December 2025—and how you can jump in.
Still riding the November wave? Many of those trends are overlapping and evolving this month—catch up on November's TikTok trend recap if you missed it.
Want more like this? Get biweekly TikTok trend insights, creative strategies, and real brand use cases in our Trend Report to turn social moments into marketing results.
Want The Full 2025 Story?
Monthly blogs track what's trending. The FYP Report 2025 explains what it all meant.
We analyzed 254 trends, decoded the viral formats that defined the year, and identified what's coming next in 2026. Consider it your Spotify Wrapped for TikTok—a complete year-end retrospective that turns 12 months of internet chaos into strategic insights you can actually use.
Week of December 1, 2025 - Zootopia, Advent Calendars, and Stranger Things
Trend #1: Zootopia 2 Couple Selfies
Zootopia 2 is dominating the box office, and the cultural conversation has spilled onto TikTok in the form of a sweet, slightly cheesy couples trend. The film's central dynamic—Nick Wilde (the fox) and Judy Hopps (the bunny), two characters from wildly different worlds who found connection—has become a blueprint for real-life couples to celebrate their own unlikely pairings. The trend centers on recreating a series of selfies Nick and Judy take together in the movie, with couples mimicking the poses, angles, and playful energy of the original scenes. Set to Ed Sheeran's "Photograph," the format works especially well for partners from different cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, or personalities, echoing the film's core message about bridging differences. It's earnest, it's romantic, and it's got that Pixar-level sentimentality that TikTok can't resist. The fact that there's a CapCut template makes it even more accessible, lowering the barrier for anyone wanting to jump in.
Use the "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran audio and find the CapCut template for Zootopia 2 couple selfies (search "Zootopia couple template"). Recreate the selfie poses from the movie with your partner—close-up shots, playful angles, candid smiles, whatever mirrors Nick and Judy's dynamic. Film multiple clips or use existing photos that capture your relationship in similar framing. If you and your partner come from different backgrounds, cultures, or have contrasting personalities, lean into that parallel—it's what makes the trend resonate. Drop your clips into the CapCut template, sync them to the music, and let the edit do the storytelling. Add text if you want to label your dynamic or reference the movie directly, but the visuals and song usually carry the message on their own.
Trend #2: Stranger Things Then vs. Now
Stranger Things Season 5 just dropped, marking the end of an era, and TikTok is drowning in nostalgia. The show premiered in 2016, meaning fans who were kids or teenagers during Season 1 are now full adults processing the final chapter. This trend captures that emotional whiplash perfectly. Creators are using a carousel format set to Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" (the show's iconic Season 4 needle drop) to show the passage of time. The setup is simple but gut-punching: the first slide asks "Who's watching Stranger Things Season 5?" with a current photo of the creator, and the second slide reveals "Who actually watched it," featuring a throwback photo from 2016 when they were much younger, wide-eyed, and probably binge-watching in their childhood bedroom. It's a visual time capsule that taps into both personal growth and collective pop culture memory, and the bittersweet tone of the song amplifies the sentimentality.
Use the "Running Up That Hill" audio by Kate Bush. Create a two-slide carousel: Slide 1 should be a current photo of yourself with on-screen text reading "Who's watching Stranger Things Season 5" or a variation like "Me watching the final season." Slide 2 is the reveal—dig up a photo of yourself from 2016 (or around when Season 1 aired) and caption it "Who actually watched it" or "vs. who started watching in 2016." The contrast between the two photos should be stark enough to show the years that have passed. Keep the tone nostalgic and a little wistful—this trend works best when it feels genuine and reflective. No heavy editing needed; the simplicity and relatability are what make it hit.
Trend #3: Stranger Things Mind Flayer Edit
The Upside Down is leaking into real life, and TikTok editors are making it look terrifyingly cool. With Stranger Things Season 5 freshly released, creators are channeling the show's most iconic villain—the Mind Flayer—by filming themselves outdoors against open skies and using CapCut or other editing apps to overlay the creature's massive, spider-like silhouette and eerie red atmospheric effects. The edits transform ordinary footage into something straight out of Hawkins, Indiana, complete with crimson storm clouds, ominous lighting, and that signature apocalyptic glow. Set to The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (the show's nostalgic anchor song), the trend leans heavy into '80s vibes, with creators often rocking period-appropriate attire—denim jackets, high-waisted jeans, vintage band tees, scrunchies—and filming with friend groups to mimic the show's ensemble energy. It's part fan tribute, part technical flex, and it works because it captures the exact aesthetic that made Stranger Things a cultural phenomenon: retro nostalgia meets supernatural dread.
Film yourself or your group outdoors with a clear sky in the background—sunset or overcast skies work especially well for dramatic effect. Wear '80s-inspired clothing to match the Stranger Things era: think denim, vintage tees, retro sneakers, anything that feels authentically 1980s Hawkins. Use CapCut or similar editing apps to add Mind Flayer overlays, red sky filters, and atmospheric effects that make it look like the Upside Down is breaking through. Many templates are available if you search "Stranger Things Mind Flayer edit" or "Upside Down effect" in CapCut. Layer the footage over "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash, and sync your clips to the beat for maximum impact. You can add slow-motion, glitch effects, or color grading to enhance the supernatural vibe. The key is commitment to the aesthetic—both in your styling and your editing—to make it feel like authentic fan content rather than just a filter.
Trend #4: Advent Calendar Content
December on TikTok means one thing: 25 days of unboxing content, and advent calendars are the gift that keeps on giving. What used to be a simple chocolate countdown has evolved into a full-blown trend showcasing everything from luxury beauty products to custom-made emotional experiences. Creators are documenting their daily reveals—opening store-bought calendars from brands like Sephora, LEGO, or Target—but the trend has gotten more personal and creative. Partners are building DIY advent calendars for each other filled with inside jokes, love notes, favorite snacks, or small meaningful gifts. Parents are crafting elaborate custom versions for their kids, stuffing each day with toys, activities, or handwritten messages. The appeal is twofold: the daily ritual creates built-in content for the entire month, and the personalization aspect makes it deeply sentimental. Whether it's rating which brand has the best calendar, gasping over luxury skincare minis, or tearing up at a handmade gift from a spouse, the trend taps into anticipation, nostalgia, and the cozy chaos of the holiday season. It's low-effort, high-reward content that keeps audiences coming back every single day.
Choose your angle: are you opening a store-bought calendar daily, building a custom one for someone, or both? If you're documenting daily reveals, film yourself opening each day's door or box, showing genuine reactions to what's inside. Keep a consistent filming spot and style so your series feels cohesive across all 25 days. For DIY calendars, show the creation process—shopping for or gathering 25 small gifts, assembling the calendar structure (you can buy blank ones or make your own), filling each compartment, and the final reveal to your recipient. Capture their reaction on Day 1 and check in throughout the month as they open it. Add on-screen text labeling the day number and what's inside, or keep it mysterious until the reveal. Use cozy, holiday-themed music or trending seasonal sounds to set the vibe. The key is consistency—posting daily keeps your audience invested in the journey, whether it's a luxury unboxing or a heartfelt homemade countdown.
Trend #5: Money in the Grave x Last Christmas Mashup
Producer noteliwood just created the unofficial anthem of Christmas 2025, and TikTok can't get enough. The mashup—Drake's track layered over the instrumental of a classic holiday hit—has struck the perfect balance between hype and festive, turning every holiday moment into main character energy. The sound has exploded across every corner of the platform: creators are posting silly dance montages in Santa hats and ugly sweaters, cutting together memes about holiday chaos, documenting everything they demolished at their office party, or showcasing their full holiday glam—hair, makeup, and outfit rundowns. It works for travel content (airport fits on the way to see family), shopping hauls (Target runs for decorations), and even just vibing in your living room surrounded by twinkle lights. The mashup gives people permission to be both celebratory and a little cocky about the season, which is exactly the vibe December demands. It's catchy, it's versatile, and it's quickly becoming the sound of the year for Christmas content—the kind of audio that'll define holiday TikTok the way other viral sounds have dominated their respective seasons.
Use the noteliwood mashup audio (search "Money in the Grave Last Christmas mashup" or look for noteliwood's profile). Film whatever holiday content fits your vibe: silly dancing in Christmas pajamas, a montage of your holiday party spread, getting ready content with festive makeup and hair, outfit checks in your best seasonal attire, shopping trips for gifts or decor, or travel clips heading home for the holidays. The key is matching the energy of the sound—it should feel fun, confident, and celebratory. Use quick cuts and upbeat pacing to sync with the rhythm. Add on-screen text if you want to label what you're showing ("everything I ate at the holiday party," "my Christmas Eve fit," "flying home for the holidays"), but the sound is strong enough to carry most content on its own. The vibe should be festive but not overly precious—think more "I'm thriving this season" than "silent night." This is the sound for people who want their holiday content to hit different.
Trend #6: Black Friday Isn't Black Friday Anymore
TikTok is mourning the death of real Black Friday, and the nostalgia is hitting hard. Creators are posting memes and full-on rants about how the shopping holiday has lost its unhinged, door-busting soul. There's a collective longing for the chaotic energy of the 2000s and early 2010s—the viral videos of people literally fighting in Walmart over half-priced Xboxes, camping outside Best Buy at 3am, trampling through Target like it was The Hunger Games. People even lined up overnight outside Target this year for their "swag bags" promised to the first 100 customers, only to discover the bags contained a pack of UNO cards, mini shampoo samples, Nerds candy, and other clearance items—basically products they had too much of. The disappointment is palpable. Meanwhile, Lowe's actually delivered by giving one shopper at each store a certificate for a free appliance worth up to $2,000, proving some stores still understand the assignment. Now? Most "deals" are 25% off items that were already on sale three weeks ago. Creators are venting with side-by-side comparisons of old Black Friday footage versus today's lukewarm email promotions. But rising from the ashes are breakout creators posting handwritten notebook lists and detailed breakdowns of which sales are legitimately worth your time. It's half comedy, half public service, and entirely necessary in the oversaturated Black Friday noise.
For the nostalgic rant angle, film yourself venting about the decline of Black Friday—pull up old chaotic footage or reference the Target bag fiasco versus Lowe's actual giveaways. Use on-screen text to highlight specific grievances: "Black Friday 2008: literal fistfights over $200 TVs" vs. "Black Friday 2025: a bag of UNO cards after waiting overnight." Keep your tone exasperated, sarcastic, or genuinely disappointed. For the helpful creator route, grab a notebook or open your Notes app and compile actual good deals you've found—be specific with brand names, discount percentages, and why it's worth it. Film yourself flipping through pages or scrolling through your list, pausing on each deal long enough for viewers to screenshot. Add captions like "Black Friday deals that are actually good" or "I did the research so you don't have to." The key is authenticity: if you're ranting, commit to the bit; if you're helping, be genuinely useful. Both angles work because they acknowledge the same truth—Black Friday isn't what it used to be, and we're all processing that together.
Trend #7: Say Your Stupid Line (Tame Impala Trend)
Tame Impala's "The Less I Know the Better" has sparked a relatable TikTok trend where creators are using a specific lyric about Superman to introduce their most-used phrases and excuses. The format is simple but effective: creators lip-sync to the song's vocal line, and when the instrumental break hits, they cut to themselves acting out whatever line they're known for saying repeatedly. The go-to example? Lying in bed with on-screen text reading something like "sorry something came up and I can't come anymore"—the classic flaky friend excuse. But creators are getting creative with it: introverts showing themselves saying "I'm too tired," chronic overthinkers with "actually never mind," people-pleasers with "yeah that's totally fine!" when it's clearly not. It's become a self-roast format that calls out your own predictable patterns, and the nostalgic Tame Impala track gives it an unexpectedly emotional backdrop for what's essentially admitting you're unreliable.
Start by lip-syncing to the vocal portion while looking directly at the camera. When the instrumental break drops, cut to a clip of yourself acting out your "stupid line"—the phrase you say constantly, your go-to excuse, or whatever you're predictably known for. Add on-screen text that clearly displays the line so viewers can read it. The acting can be deadpan (lying in bed), dramatic (hand on forehead), or situational (texting on your phone). The key is that the "line" should be recognizable as something you actually say all the time—it works best when it's self-aware and a little embarrassing. Popular examples include flaking excuses, overthinking phrases, people-pleasing responses, or commitment-phobic deflections. Keep it short and sync the transition to the music for maximum impact.
Week of December 8, 2025 - Holiday Recipes, Sleepover Energy, and Nostalgia
Trend #8: Ina Garten Brownie Pudding
The Barefoot Contessa just gave TikTok its new holiday obsession, and it's not even close. Ina Garten's Brownie Pudding recipe has exploded across the platform just in time for party season, and it's hitting every algorithm sweet spot: ASMR satisfaction, visual payoff, and nostalgic comfort food energy. The dessert features a crispy, crackly top layer that creators are scraping with spoons in gloriously satisfying close-ups, followed by the dramatic reveal—a molten, lava cake-like interior that's more pudding than brownie. The contrast between textures is mesmerizing, and the sound of that first crack into the crust? Pure auditory gold. People are filming themselves making it from scratch, cutting into it for the big reveal, taste-testing with genuine shock at how good it is, and serving it at holiday gatherings where it's immediately becoming the star. The recipe's fool-proof nature and guaranteed "wow" factor have turned it into the unofficial dessert of December 2025, with home bakers putting their own spin on it—adding peppermint, espresso, salted caramel, or turning it into individual ramekins.
Find Ina Garten's Brownie Pudding recipe (it's all over TikTok and her website) and make it following her instructions. Film the process if you want, but the real viral moment comes after it's baked. Set up your phone with good lighting and get a close-up angle. Use a spoon to scrape across that crispy top layer—mic up if you can, because the ASMR crunch is half the appeal. Then cut into it or scoop out a portion to reveal the gooey, pudding-like interior. The visual contrast and texture reveal are what make this content pop. You can also film the taste test reaction—genuine surprise at how good it is always performs well. If you're making a variation, show what you're adding and explain your twist. Serve it at a holiday party and capture guests' reactions to their first bite. Add text overlaying key moments: "wait for the inside," "the crunch," "this is dangerously good." The recipe does the heavy lifting; you just need to showcase it properly.
Trend #9: Landslide Nostalgia Carousel
Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" has found new life on TikTok as the soundtrack to time-traveling nostalgia. Creators are using a live performance version of the song—with Stevie Nicks' mesmerizing vocals front and center—to craft emotional two-slide carousels that capture the passage of time in friendships, relationships, and family bonds. The format is beautifully simple: the first slide shows a current photo of friends, a couple, or family members with text referencing the song's opening imagery about looking back from a mountaintop. Swipe to the second slide, and there's a throwback photo of the same people years earlier, paired with text about seeing reflections in the snow-covered hills. It's gut-punch nostalgia that works because it shows how far people have come together, how much has changed, and somehow how much has stayed the same. The trend thrives on that bittersweet recognition of time passing—seeing baby-faced versions of your best friends or your partner before life got complicated, all set to one of the most achingly beautiful songs ever written.
Use the live performance version of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac (search for it specifically—the live vocals hit different). Create a two-slide carousel: Slide 1 should be a recent, current photo of you and the people you're highlighting—your friend group, your partner, your family. Add on-screen text that references the song's mountain and turning around imagery. Slide 2 is the throwback—dig deep into your camera roll for a photo from years ago of the same people, ideally in a similar setting or with similar energy. Add text that continues the lyrical theme about reflections. The power is in the visual contrast between then and now: different haircuts, younger faces, dated fashion, whatever marks the passage of time. Keep it sincere—this trend works best when it's genuinely emotional rather than ironic. The song does most of the heavy lifting, so let the photos and the passage of time speak for themselves.
Trend #10: Running Out of Storage (2016 Nostalgia)
TikTok is time-traveling back to 2016, and the nostalgia is hitting different. Creators are using a carousel format to flex their throwback celebrity encounters from the peak YouTube and pop culture era—think Justin Bieber meet-and-greets, Sister Squad hangouts (Emma Chamberlain, James Charles, the Dolan Twins), Shane Dawson fan pics, and every other icon who dominated that specific internet moment. The setup is genius: the first slide shows a current, mundane photo with text reading "I'm running out of storage let me delete some photos," implying they're doing digital housekeeping. Then the swipe reveals the punchline—a photo of them posing with 2016's biggest names, set to Post Malone's "White Iverson," a song that was everywhere during that exact era. It's a humble-brag disguised as a practical decision, and the comments sections are gold: people either posting their own 2016 celebrity receipts or admitting they would've killed for those moments. The trend taps into a specific type of nostalgia for when YouTube felt more personal, meet-and-greets were peak culture, and influencers still felt accessible.
Create a two-slide carousel using "White Iverson" by Post Malone. Slide 1 should be a recent, regular photo of yourself—something casual or boring works best—with on-screen text that reads "I'm running out of storage let me delete some photos." This sets up the fake premise that you're cleaning out your camera roll. Slide 2 is the reveal: pull out your throwback photo with a 2016-era celebrity or YouTuber. Justin Bieber, the Sister Squad, Shane Dawson, or any major influencer from that time period works. The photo should be clearly dated (fashion, hair, photo quality all scream mid-2010s). Let the image speak for itself—no additional text needed on the second slide. The contrast between the mundane setup and the flex of the throwback is what makes it work. If you don't have a celebrity photo from that era, this trend probably isn't for you—it relies on having the receipts.
Trend #11: When My Man Isn't Paying Attention (AI Transformation Trend)
The girlfriends and wives of TikTok have found the perfect revenge for being ignored—becoming the competition. Using AI tools like Grok, creators are transforming themselves into whatever their partner is actually paying attention to, and the results are hilariously petty. If he's obsessed with deer hunting? She becomes a buck with antlers. If he's glued to Call of Duty? She's jumping into the screen as a tactical operator. Football fanatic? She's morphing into a linebacker mid-game. The format plays on a relatable relationship dynamic—the feeling of competing with hobbies for attention—but packages it in absurd, AI-generated visual comedy. The on-screen text drives it home: "when he's not paying attention to me so I turn into the only thing he cares about." It's tongue-in-cheek, self-aware, and just unhinged enough to work. The AI transformations range from impressive to intentionally chaotic, but that's part of the charm. Comments sections are filled with people tagging their partners and suggesting what they should transform into next.
Use an AI tool like Grok, ChatGPT's image generator, or another AI photo editor to transform a photo of yourself into whatever your partner is obsessed with. Think about their main hobby or interest: hunting (transform into the animal), gaming (become a character from their favorite game), sports (turn into a player or piece of equipment), cars (literally become a car), golf (transform into a golf ball or club), fishing (become a fish). Film or screenshot the transformation process if possible, or just show the before-and-after. Add the trending funky original sound (search for "when my man isn't paying attention" or check the linked audio). Overlay text that reads "when he's not paying attention to me so I turn into the only thing he cares about" or a variation. The humor works best when the transformation is specific to your relationship and slightly ridiculous. Bonus points if you can get your partner's genuine reaction on camera.
Trend #12: How To... (Dance Bait and Switch)
TikTok's latest bait-and-switch has turned every mundane tutorial into an excuse to break it down. Creators are capitalizing on the instructional video format—something everyone scrolls past without thinking—only to flip the script entirely. Set to "Leave Em Alone," videos start with earnest on-screen text promising to teach you something useful: how to swing a golf club, perform lateral raises at the gym, mop floors efficiently, fold fitted sheets, whatever. They begin demonstrating the action with straight-faced seriousness, setting up the full motion like they're genuinely instructing. But right at the peak of the movement—mid-swing, mid-lift, mid-mop—they transition seamlessly into full-on dancing: twerking, body rolls, grooves, whatever the song demands. The comedic timing is everything, and when there's someone in the background catching them mid-act with a confused or judgmental stare, it elevates the whole thing. It's the perfect blend of commitment to the bit and absurd payoff, turning practical content into pure entertainment.
Use the "Leave Em Alone" audio. Start by setting up your video like a legitimate tutorial—pick any mundane or everyday action that requires some kind of motion: golf swing, workout move, cleaning task, cooking technique, whatever. Add on-screen text at the beginning that reads "How to [insert action]." Position your camera to capture the full movement and start performing the action seriously, like you're actually teaching someone. The key is the transition: right when you reach the climax of the movement (the follow-through of a swing, the top of a lift, the push of a mop), let that motion flow directly into dancing. The more seamless the transition from instructional to dance, the better. Commit fully to the dance—twerk, groove, body roll, whatever fits the energy. If you can, have someone in the background or frame who "catches" you and reacts with confusion or shock. Keep your face serious or focused during the instructional part, then let loose when the dance hits. The humor is in the contrast and the unexpected shift.
Trend #13: Rhyming For As Long As We Can
This trend feels like you've walked in on something you weren't supposed to witness, and that's exactly why it's working. Creators are channeling pure sleepover-at-3am energy by pulling their shirts over their heads to create a hunchback silhouette, swaying dramatically side to side, and engaging in the most unhinged freestyle rap battle you've ever seen. The format is simple but requires commitment: two people (friends, couples, roommates—whoever's willing to look ridiculous) go back and forth rhyming with whatever the other person just said, no matter how absurd the bars get. One viral example perfectly captures the chaos: "Have you ever swiped your card and it got declined" gets matched with "Did you know Jesus healed the blind." The rhymes don't have to make sense. In fact, they're better when they don't. It's the visual of two shirt-covered figures bobbing around like possessed monks while dropping completely random bars that makes it comedy gold. The trend thrives on awkward commitment—the longer you can keep it going without breaking, the funnier it gets.
Find a partner willing to look equally ridiculous. Both of you pull your shirts up over your heads so only your faces peek out from the neckhole, creating that hunched, faceless silhouette. Start swaying side to side in an exaggerated, rhythmic motion. One person drops the first rhyme—it can be about literally anything. The second person has to immediately respond with a rhyme that matches the last word or phrase, no matter how random or nonsensical it gets. Keep going back and forth for as long as you can without laughing or breaking character. The key is commitment: stay in the swaying motion, keep your energy dramatic and intense, and don't overthink the rhymes—the more absurd and disconnected they are, the better. Film it in one continuous take to capture the full chaotic energy. No music needed—the awkward silence between bars is part of the charm. The uncomfortable, wrong-to-watch vibe is what makes people unable to look away.
Week of December 15, 2025 - Sweet Potatoes, Panic, and Hard Truths
Trend #14: Courtney Cook's Sweet Potato & Cheese
High school English teacher Courtney Cook has accrued over a million TikTok followers in just seven months, and it's all thanks to a deceptively simple recipe that's taken over FYPs: a whole baked sweet potato stuffed with cheese, eaten like a handheld sandwich—skin and all. Her viral "easy teacher lunch" video has 8.6 million views, and the comment sections are split between people who've never seen anyone eat a sweet potato this way and people who are now completely addicted to it. The magic is in her wide-eyed expression of complete ecstasy paired with an aggressive head tilt as she takes a bite—it's so genuine that it makes you need to try it immediately. The recipe itself is ridiculously easy but requires patience: bake at 300°F for 1 hour and 20 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave it inside for 1-2 hours to cool slowly, which makes the texture syrupy. She uses Butterkäse cheese from Aldi ($3.85 for 6 oz), stuffing rectangular pieces into the potato. People are making it on repeat, posting their own variations with different cheeses and toppings, and turning it into their new hyperfixation meal. It's become the unlikely food trend of late 2025.
The Recipe:
1 large sweet potato
Butterkäse cheese (or cheese of choice)
Optional: cottage cheese, pickled onions, spring onions, turkey, chicken
Bake sweet potato at 300°F in oven or air fryer for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the potato inside for 1-2 hours—this slow cooling is crucial for the syrupy texture. Once cooled, tear or cut open the top and stuff with cheese pieces. Eat it whole, skin included, like a sandwich.
Content Ideas: Film yourself making it for the first time and capture your genuine reaction to the taste and texture. Post a mukbang-style video eating it with the same energy Courtney brings. Make your own variation using different cheeses (gruyere, cheddar, asiago) or add toppings like pickled jalapeños or hot honey, and compare them. Create a "day in the life" series where you eat it every day for a week. Jump on the hype with text like "since sweet potatoes are viral, you have to try this version" and show your twist. Film the satisfying moment of tearing it open to reveal the caramelized, syrupy inside. The key is genuine enthusiasm—people want to see if it's really as good as everyone says it is.
Trend #15: Mr. Sandman Harmony Challenge
TikTok's grid feature just got its moment to shine with the Mr. Sandman harmony trend, and it's equal parts impressive and chaotic. Creators are using the app's multi-screen layout to record themselves singing different vocal parts of the classic doo-wop song, layering harmonies to recreate the full arrangement solo. The technical setup is key: open TikTok's camera, tap the grid icon in the top right, and select your layout (you can choose how many sections and their arrangement). Each section records a different vocal part—lead, harmony, bass line, the rhythmic vocal percussion—and when played together, it creates the full song. Some creators are nailing it with perfect pitch and timing, while others are hilariously off-key but committed to the bit. There's even a subset doing it with no volume on, relying purely on visual cues and muscle memory to stay in sync. The trend works because it's both a vocal skill flex and accessible enough that anyone can attempt it, even if the result is more comedic than melodic.
Open TikTok and tap the camera icon. In the top right corner, select the grid button and choose your layout (most people use a 2x2 or 3-grid setup). Record your first vocal part in the first section—this could be the lead melody, a harmony line, or the bass. Move to the next section and record another part, listening to your previous recording through headphones to stay in sync. Continue filling each grid section with different vocal parts until you've built the full harmony. The key is timing—each part needs to align rhythmically, so practice your sections before recording. If you're doing the no-volume version, you'll need to rely on internal timing and visual cues from your previous takes. Some creators add text labeling each section (soprano, alto, bass, beatbox) for clarity. The final result should feel like a one-person choir. Don't stress perfection—the attempts that are slightly off are often the most entertaining.
Trend #16: Say the Word on Beat Challenge
Couples on TikTok have found their new test of coordination, and it's surprisingly harder than it looks. The "Say the Word on Beat" challenge involves watching a YouTube video that flashes images on screen—cat, mat, rat, hat—and you have to say the word perfectly in sync with the beat. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. The video starts slow and manageable, then ramps up speed with each round, throwing in harder words, trickier rhythms, and visual fakes that mess with your timing. Couples are recording themselves side-by-side attempting to stay synchronized as the pace intensifies, and the results range from impressively in-sync to complete chaotic meltdowns where one person is three words behind. The trend thrives on the competitive energy between partners—the playful arguing when someone messes up, the celebratory moments when they nail a difficult round, the increasingly frantic energy as it speeds up. It's expanding beyond just couples too, with coworkers, roommates, and friend groups jumping in to see who can last the longest without breaking.
Find a "Say the Word on Beat" challenge video on YouTube—there are multiple versions with varying difficulty levels. Set up your phone to record both you and your partner (or coworker, friend, whoever you're challenging). Position yourselves so you can both see the screen and the camera captures your reactions. Hit record and start the challenge together, saying each word as it appears on beat. The key is staying perfectly synced with each other and the rhythm—if one person falls behind or speeds up, it throws everything off. Film your genuine reactions as the rounds get faster and the words get trickier. The best content comes from the chaos: laughing when someone messes up, the competitive banter, the frustration when you're almost there but lose it at the last second. You can film multiple attempts or just go with the first try for authenticity. Add text like "round 3 is where we lost it" or "we made it to level 5" to give context. This works great for couples content but also office team building or friend group challenges.
Trend #17: ChatGPT's Most Ridiculous Question Callout
ChatGPT is playing therapist, best friend, and now—brutal honest critic. Creators are making two-slide carousels set to Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap" that start with an innocent selfie and on-screen text asking "I asked ChatGPT what was the most ridiculous question I asked this year." Swipe to the second slide, and it's a screenshot of ChatGPT absolutely roasting them by revealing their most unhinged queries from the past 12 months. The questions range from hilariously mundane ("is this a tick?" with a photo of an obvious tick) to existentially absurd ("if I die, how would you know?") to suspiciously specific life crises. It's a self-roast format that works because it's relatable—everyone has asked ChatGPT something deeply embarrassing at 2am. The screenshots feel like getting called out by your search history, except it's an AI calmly listing your worst moments. Brands are already jumping in with product-specific spins: fitness brands asking ChatGPT about their workout excuses, food companies revealing ridiculous recipe questions, tech brands showing troubleshooting disasters. The trend thrives on vulnerability and the universal truth that we've all used AI as a judgment-free zone for our weirdest thoughts.
Use the "Beez in the Trap" audio by Nicki Minaj. Ask ChatGPT directly: "What was the most ridiculous question I asked you this year?" Let it pull from your actual chat history and generate a response. Screenshot ChatGPT's answer—the funnier and more specific, the better. Create a two-slide carousel: Slide 1 should be a selfie or current photo of yourself with on-screen text that reads "I asked ChatGPT what was the most ridiculous question I asked this year" or a similar setup. Slide 2 is the screenshot of ChatGPT's response revealing your unhinged questions. Make sure the text is readable—crop or zoom if needed. The humor works best when the questions are genuinely absurd, weirdly specific, or revealing something embarrassing about your thought process. Brands can create fictional but on-brand scenarios: a coffee company could show "why does decaf exist if it defeats the purpose," a skincare brand "can I use dish soap on my face," a gym "is walking to the fridge cardio." Keep it authentic or absurdly funny—there's no middle ground.
Trend #18: Congratulations on Winning Employee of the Month (Panic Scream)
A seemingly positive phrase has become the soundtrack to social anxiety, and it's painfully relatable. The trending audio features someone cheerfully announcing "congratulations on winning employee of the month," followed by an immediate panicked screaming response—"ahhhh ahhhhhh"—that sounds like pure existential dread. Creators are using this to illustrate everyday situations that trigger their fight-or-flight response, even when they're objectively harmless or positive. The format works because it captures that internal panic we all feel in certain social scenarios: when someone says "I need to speak to you about something," when eye contact gets too intense during conversation, when you receive an unexpected compliment, when your boss asks if you have a minute, when someone remembers a story you told them months ago. It's the audio embodiment of social overwhelm and anxiety disguised as achievement, which is why it's resonating so hard. The exaggerated panic is both a joke and completely sincere—we're laughing because it's absurd but also because it's exactly how it feels in the moment.
Use the "congratulations on winning employee of the month" audio with the panicked screaming. Film yourself reacting to the audio: start by looking normal or slightly confused during the "congratulations" part, then reenact the panicked "ahhhh ahhhhhh" screaming when that portion of the audio hits. You can cover your face, look around frantically, or physically recoil—whatever conveys pure panic. Add on-screen text that explains the scenario triggering this response. The best captions are hyper-specific and relatable: "when someone says 'we need to talk,'" "when the Zoom call starts with 'can you see my screen,'" "me when someone remembers my name after meeting once," "when I see my boss walking toward my desk," "when strong eye contact happens in conversation," "me receiving any compliment ever." The more oddly specific and socially anxious the scenario, the more it will resonate. Keep your panic reaction genuine and committed—half the humor is in the physical comedy of the overreaction.
Week of December 22, 2025 - SpongeBob, Drake, and Jon Hamm Edits
Trend #19: SpongeBob Broadway Dance Trend
Ethan Slater's unhinged SpongeBob performance from the Broadway musical has become TikTok's latest obsession, and creators are losing it trying to recreate his cartoonishly committed choreography. The viral clip captures SpongeBob's high-energy number about setting sail and frying Krabby Patties—complete with exaggerated arm flails, bouncy physicality, and the kind of full-body theater kid energy that's impossible to fake. What makes it work is the absurdity: watching people attempt these moves in their kitchens, Target aisles, or parking lots is pure comedy. Comments are split between hyping up creators who actually nailed the vibe and admitting that nobody can quite match Slater's original performance. Theater kids who played SpongeBob in school productions are having their main character moment, posting throwback footage and proving they've been training for this their entire lives.
Watch the original clip to study the choreography—the exaggerated movements, wide-eyed expressions, and bouncy energy. Film yourself recreating it with full commitment (half-hearted attempts don't hit). Embrace the theatrical chaos: flail your arms, bounce on your toes, channel your inner animated sponge. If you performed SpongeBob in school theater, overlay that footage with the trending audio for maximum nostalgia. Add text like "nobody does it like Ethan Slater" or "theater kids been ready for this." The best versions fully commit to the ridiculousness without taking themselves seriously—it's supposed to be chaotic, unhinged, and fun.
Trend #20: Jon Hamm "Turn the Lights Off" Vibe Edit
Jon Hamm is living his best life in a dimly lit club on your FYP, and TikTok has turned it into the year's most relatable vibe edit. The clip—pulled from Apple TV+'s dark comedy Your Friends & Neighbors—shows Hamm's character dancing with his eyes closed in pure blissed-out euphoria, paired with the 2010 Danish track "Turn the Lights Off" by DJ Kato and Jon Nørgaard. It's become the universal visual shorthand for any moment that makes you feel alive, nostalgic, or quietly victorious. Creators are stitching the clip to everything from "me after leaving dishes to soak instead of washing them" to "watching Lord of the Rings for the first time with my partner" to "when coffee finally kicks in." The trend splits into two main lanes: euphoric present moments (finally finishing your last work email, your partner admitting you were right, getting a kid-free weekend in Vegas) and nostalgic millennial longing (gaming all night before responsibilities hit, partying two hours before a work shift, the general vibe of 2010s nightlife). The magic is in Hamm's unbothered energy—he's not trying to be cool, he's just feeling it—which makes it the perfect blank canvas for projecting your own emotional release. Comments are either agreeing that it's peak main character energy or getting weirdly philosophical about how we're all just craving those "community dance around the fire" moments as a recession coping mechanism.
Use the "Turn the Lights Off" audio by DJ Kato. Film or compile whatever moment you're celebrating or reminiscing about—this could be a mundane victory (leaving work on time), a nostalgic callback (old photos from 2010s nights out), or just you doing something that makes you genuinely happy. Stitch or transition into the Jon Hamm dancing clip at the peak moment. Many CapCut templates are available if you search "Jon Hamm Turn the Lights Off," which will automatically blend your footage with his club scene. You can also use the "mix" transition to align your face positioning with his for a seamless morph effect. Add on-screen text that explains your scenario: "me after my toddler finally goes to sleep," "take me back to when I could stay out until 3am," "coffee entering my system like." Keep it specific and relatable—the more niche the feeling, the more it resonates. The vibe should be quietly triumphant or wistfully nostalgic, not overly dramatic. Let Hamm's blissed-out energy do the heavy lifting while your text provides the context that makes it hit home.
Trend #21: Drake "Ooo It's Freezing" Recreation Trend
Drake just accidentally gave TikTok its most quotable cold weather moment, and now everyone's trying to match his unexpectedly high-pitched delivery. The viral clip shows Drake responding to someone saying "I love you Drake" with a polite "thank you," then walking through a door and immediately reacting to the temperature with an emphatic "ooooo it's freezing" in a tone that's been universally described as "zesty." The pitch shift is what makes it—it's higher and more dramatic than anyone expected from the 6 God, turning a mundane weather observation into comedy gold. Creators are now recreating the entire sequence: filming themselves walking out doors while a friend off-camera says "I love you Drake," delivering their own "thank you," then stepping outside and attempting to nail that signature high-pitched cold reaction. The trend has evolved into accuracy challenges, with people ranking how closely recreations match Drake's original delivery, often down to absurdly specific percentages like "67.7767% accuracy." Comments are split between people genuinely impressed by spot-on impressions and others roasting attempts that don't quite capture the tonal magic. It's become the internet's favorite impression challenge of the moment, proving that sometimes the most viral content comes from the least expected places.
Use the original Drake audio if you can find it, or record your own recreation. Set up a two-person bit: have a friend film while you stand near a door (preferably one that actually leads outside to sell the cold weather premise). Your friend says "I love you Drake" off-camera. You respond with "thank you" in Drake's tone—confident but casual. Open the door, step through or lean out, and immediately deliver "ooooo it's freezing" in the highest-pitched, most dramatic voice you can manage. The key is the pitch escalation on "freezing"—it needs to go up, not stay flat. Film your reaction naturally, like you're genuinely shocked by the cold. You can add on-screen text rating your own accuracy percentage or caption it "trying the Drake freezing trend." Some creators are doing side-by-side comparisons with the original clip for direct comparison. The best versions commit fully to matching not just the words but the exact inflection and energy—half the humor is in how serious people are about getting a random Drake quote perfectly right. If you nail it, expect comments hyping up your accuracy. If you're off, expect to be roasted, but that's part of the fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About December 2025 TikTok Trends
Q1: What were the biggest TikTok trends in December 2025?
A: The most viral trends included Zootopia 2 couple selfies set to Ed Sheeran's "Photograph," Stranger Things nostalgia carousels using Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill," advent calendar unboxing series (both store-bought and DIY), noteliwood's Money in the Grave x Last Christmas holiday mashup, Ina Garten's brownie pudding recipe with ASMR reveals, AI transformation challenges where partners became their hobbies, Landslide time-travel carousels, 2016 celebrity throwback flexes, and ChatGPT roast carousels revealing embarrassing search history.
Q2: Which sounds and audio went viral on TikTok in December 2025?
A: Top trending audio tracks included Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" (Zootopia couple selfies), Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" (Stranger Things then vs. now), The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (Mind Flayer edits), noteliwood's Money in the Grave x Last Christmas mashup (holiday content), Post Malone's "White Iverson" (2016 throwback storage cleanouts), Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" (friendship and relationship time capsules), Tame Impala's "The Less I Know the Better" ("say your stupid line" trend), Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap" (ChatGPT ridiculous questions), "Leave Em Alone" (dance bait-and-switch tutorials), and "Mr. Sandman" (multi-part harmony challenges).
Q3: Why did December 2025 TikTok trends focus heavily on nostalgia and holiday themes?
A: December trends leaned into nostalgia due to year-end reflection, major pop culture moments (Stranger Things Season 5 finale, Zootopia 2 theatrical release), and the holiday season's inherent sentimentality. Carousel formats showcasing "then vs. now" particularly resonated as users processed personal growth and the passage of time. The holiday mashups and advent calendar content tapped into seasonal rituals and the cozy chaos that define December on the platform. Additionally, 2025 being a milestone year drove creators to look back at the past decade (2016 nostalgia) and reflect on cultural shifts.
Q4: How can brands participate in December TikTok trends safely?
A: Brands should focus on template-driven formats like CapCut edits, audio mashups with holiday relevance, and serialized content (like advent calendar reveals) that fit naturally with their products. The key is adapting creative formats rather than forcing memes. Use the Money in the Grave mashup for product showcases or team holiday content, create brand-safe nostalgia carousels showing company evolution or "then vs. now" product comparisons, leverage recipe trends if relevant to the brand, develop advent-style countdown series revealing products or behind-the-scenes content, or participate in harmony challenges that showcase team culture. Always ensure the content feels native to TikTok's culture rather than overtly promotional, and prioritize authenticity over perfection.
Q5: Where can I find other monthly TikTok trend reports?
A: Visit our TikTok Trends hub for weekly trend updates and access to all monthly deep-dive reports from 2025. Each monthly report includes 15-20 trends with how-to guides, audio recommendations, creator insights, and brand application strategies. You can also subscribe to our biweekly Trend Report for strategic analysis and brand use cases delivered directly to your inbox.
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