It’s Time To Prepare For The Holiday Season

Even though November has only just started, you should already be thinking about your holiday preparations. If you haven’t started yet, here are some things to do to prepare for the holiday season.

It's Time To Prepare For The Holiday Season - Sharyn Munro Virtual Assistance

Are you closing over the break?

  • Decide how much time you’ll take off
  • Figure out how your staff will take leave during the closure period (mandatory leave, time in lieu, you’ll just give them the day off etc)
  • Update your website and social media accounts to give notice that you’ll be closed
  • Send a newsletter to your customers letting them know when you’ll be closed
  • Create out-of-office replies for your email accounts
  • Develop a message for your phones while you’re closed, or find a locum/virtual receptionist to answer them for you

Do you want to run a marketing campaign before the holidays?

  • Decide what sort of campaign you want to run (sale, holiday greetings etc)
  • Update all of your social media accounts with details of the campaign
  • Send a newsletter to customers about the campaign
  • Create advertisements for social media, the internet and print publications
  • Update your website, and online shopping cart with sale details

Are you giving cards or gifts to staff and/or clients?

  • Who will be receiving cards and/or gifts?
  • Decide on what you will be giving as a gift
  • Order the gifts, either for delivery to your office or directly to the recipient
  • Order branded cards from a printer
  • Create mailing labels for cards

Would you like to have a party for your staff or clients?

  • Set a budget
  • Find a venue (which might be very difficult at this point)
  • Will there be a set menu? Will you be able to provide options for all dietary requirements?
  • Let everybody know, either via email, or posted invitations
  • Decide on the format of the party – will it be a Christmas party or regular party, what will the dress code be, will there be gift or awards or any formal speeches
  • Will there be a Secret Santa?
  • Purchase any gifts or awards as needed.

There’s 23 things you need to think of to prepare for the holiday season. If you’d like some more inspiration, check out my other Holiday Preparation posts.

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