Spice up your Instagram for the holidays (no filter needed)

Will Worley, for CNN

Updated 1301 GMT (2101 HKT) December 15, 2015

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mmontagueliving/" target="_blank"><strong>Maryam Montague</strong></a><strong>, interior designer and hotelier, Marrakesh, Morocco.</strong><br /><br />By the poolside at Montague's boutique hotel, Peacock Pavillions. "I love creating a Moroccan lounge-y feel for parties outside," she says. "The relaxed bohemian vibe, with plenty of color and pattern, makes everyone want to dance!"
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Maryam Montague, interior designer and hotelier, Marrakesh, Morocco.

By the poolside at Montague's boutique hotel, Peacock Pavillions. "I love creating a Moroccan lounge-y feel for parties outside," she says. "The relaxed bohemian vibe, with plenty of color and pattern, makes everyone want to dance!"
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To encourage her guests to give thanks, and write down their thoughts, Montague sets the table with a craft paper tablecloth and provides a pen.<br />The only other decorations are olive branches and candles.
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
To encourage her guests to give thanks, and write down their thoughts, Montague sets the table with a craft paper tablecloth and provides a pen.
The only other decorations are olive branches and candles.
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This table takes inspiration from the colors and patterns used across Morocco.
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
This table takes inspiration from the colors and patterns used across Morocco.
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/banksbmpro/" target="_blank"><strong> Banke Meshida Lawal</strong></a><strong>, makeup artist and founder of BM Pro Make Up, Nigeria. </strong><br /><br />December is wedding season in Nigeria and one of Banke's busiest periods.<br />Here, bride-to-be, Folake Ogunde wears dark eyes paired with soft pink lips - a "fashion savvy look," Banke says.
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Banke Meshida Lawal, makeup artist and founder of BM Pro Make Up, Nigeria.

December is wedding season in Nigeria and one of Banke's busiest periods.
Here, bride-to-be, Folake Ogunde wears dark eyes paired with soft pink lips - a "fashion savvy look," Banke says.
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Temi Ajibola wears the Edo bridal traditional regalia of coral beads.
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Temi Ajibola wears the Edo bridal traditional regalia of coral beads.
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Brides spend hundreds of pounds on makeup artists like Banke to ensure they are picture perfect on their big day.<br />
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Brides spend hundreds of pounds on makeup artists like Banke to ensure they are picture perfect on their big day.
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/enjuliving/" target="_blank"><strong>Jacqueline Kaliisa</strong></a><strong>, owner of </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/iya_buea/" target="_blank"><strong>IYA restaurant</strong></a><strong>, Cameroon</strong><br /><br />This is Mbongo Tchobi, which Jacqueline recommends for over the festive period. It's a traditional black fish sauce, made with a blend of local spices that are charred to release the aroma and to lend the soup its black color. Traditionally eaten with coco yam, cassava or plantain. Also here is in the same image is grilled chicken. The dish on the bottom on the right hand side is called Mbanga soup, made with palm nuts, cray fish, smoked fish, and a blend of local spices.
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Jacqueline Kaliisa, owner of IYA restaurant, Cameroon

This is Mbongo Tchobi, which Jacqueline recommends for over the festive period. It's a traditional black fish sauce, made with a blend of local spices that are charred to release the aroma and to lend the soup its black color. Traditionally eaten with coco yam, cassava or plantain. Also here is in the same image is grilled chicken. The dish on the bottom on the right hand side is called Mbanga soup, made with palm nuts, cray fish, smoked fish, and a blend of local spices.
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Mafe Sauce, or what is commonly known as 'peanut stew' in Cameroon, can also be enjoyed during this time. This was developed by chef Dieuveil Malonga. It is made with chicken and is being served with okra. This can be served with a variety of root vegetables or plantain as a side.<br />
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Mafe Sauce, or what is commonly known as 'peanut stew' in Cameroon, can also be enjoyed during this time. This was developed by chef Dieuveil Malonga. It is made with chicken and is being served with okra. This can be served with a variety of root vegetables or plantain as a side.
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Another variation on Mafe, which is popular not just in Cameroon, but in much of West Africa.
Photos: Holiday chic from Africa's best Instagrammers
Another variation on Mafe, which is popular not just in Cameroon, but in much of West Africa.
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Story highlights

  • No kitsch knitwear, mistletoe or eggnog, African creatives will celebrating the holidays their own way
  • Think big weddings, lots of flavors and an elaborately dressed table

(CNN)Christmas: friends, family...and Instagram. With parties galore, there's no better time to capture your pictures and post them to the popular social networking site.

To help you get it right, we caught up with some of the continent's most creative Instagrammers to see how you can make the most of the holiday season.