As soon as I spot the first lighted tree in Target, visions of sugarplums start dancing in my head. (I’m the type that I would listen to Christmas music all year if my husband would let me.) Every year, retail stores start promoting holiday shopping earlier and earlier. If you didn’t know any better, you might think Christmas occurred shortly after Halloween.
This phenomenon, where retailers work to get you into the holiday spirit earlier and earlier, is known as “Christmas creep”. As much as I love to walk into a store greeted by beautifully decorated holiday trees, gift ideas, wrapping supplies and more, it can feel overwhelming when you are still putting away your Halloween decorations.
As a small business owner, you might feel like your to-do list has doubled this time of year. On top of your everyday work, there are gifts to buy, cards to send, and parties to attend. (And let’s not mention goal setting for the new year.)
Let’s vow to make this holiday season less stressful and more fun-filled. I’m sharing some of my favorite tips to make the holidays brighter!
Let’s have a Stress-Free Holiday SEASON!
- Make client gifts thoughtful and easy. – I love gifting my clients’ surprises throughout the year and celebrating the holidays is no exception. Greetabl has become my go-to source for fun and unique client gifts. They are customizable and start at around $20, so they won’t break the budget. (I’m a Greetabl affiliate and when you use my link, you get 15% off your first box! Woohoo!)
- Do your holiday shopping online. – Forget the lines and the crowds and support fellow small businesses while you’re at it. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list in the 2017 Heart Centered Holiday gift guide!
- Don’t overdo the holiday cards. – I love holiday cards, but every year I put together a never-ending holiday card list. If you’re like me, start by pairing your list down to those who make the biggest impact in your life. And then make life easier on yourself by ordering cards with pre-addressed envelopes or send beautiful ecards from Paperless Post.
- Say no. – To the client that is standing by, waiting for you to fast-track a new project over the holidays, just say no. As difficult as saying no might be, consider how you will feel if you have to work on a new project instead of spending time with family and friends.
- Put up an away email message. – Let your clients know you are taking some time to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. Even if you are in the office and checking email, decide what emails are the highest priority and leave the rest until after the holidays.
- Schedule time for yourself. – In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s so easy to forget yourself. Take time now and schedule a yoga class, a massage, a manicure or whatever makes you feel good. Taking time for yourself during a busy season will help renew and inspire you.
- Braindump – When you have ideas, to do lists and more swirling in your head, it can be hard to get anything done. Instead, take 5 minutes and get it all out of your head and on paper. Then prioritize and conquer.
- Cultivate gratitude – When you feel overwhelmed, it can be so easy to forget all of the amazing things in life. This practice can be as simple as calling to mind what you are thankful for when you start to feel stressed or writing in a gratitude journal to start your day.
- Just breathe. – When anxiety starts to set in, stop and take a few deep breaths. This simple act can calm your nerves and keep you in a better state of mind.
- You don’t need to do #allthethings – Look at your to-do list and see what you can cut out over the holidays. Take a social media hiatus for the holidays. Swap a long holiday newsletter for a quick greeting and image. Be honest with yourself and decide what really matters.
It’s easy to get lost in the holiday haze but as we head into the season, remember what is truly important for you and say no to the rest.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. I have used the products above and recommend them without the affiliate.