Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Holiday Celebrations

Now is the time to start seriously thinking about your end-of-the-year celebration or client gifts. With pre-planning, you can be ready for the holiday season without losing your mind.

If you host an annual open house in December, pick a date and theme, if applicable. Plan the menu and decide on whether you'll prepare the food yourself or hire a caterer. Divide the number of weeks left before the event and assign tasks each week to avoid being overwhelmed the week or two before the party.

If you send out annual Christmas cards to clients, consider buying them now and start addressing them. If you write a certain number per week, you won't have to stay up late in December madly scribbling personal messages on the cards. Starting early means you can write more meaningful notes. Play Christmas music while you write to get you in the holiday mood. Put the completed cards in a stack and then mail them in early December.

If you put together small gifts for clients, pick what you'll give or make now to avoid the pressure of the holidays, which can make us overspend our budgets. For example, I give baskets of homemade goodies to neighbors and friends at Christmastime, and spend the summer gathering baskets and jars at yard sales. In September, I sit down with my recipe books and pick which cookies or candies I'll make for the baskets. Then I schedule my baking to avoid having to make six different treats on one day.

Whatever your holiday plans, don't forget to advertise your business. By thinking of the holidays before December rolls around, you'll be better perpared to actually enjoy them.

Until next time,
Sarah

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Content Sarah Hamaker
Photo of Sarah, Copyright Donna Hamaker
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