Yes, it’s still September. The leaves are only just turning and here I am talking about Christmas. Bear with me.
Every year the same thing happens. December arrives, everyone’s busy, and suddenly the Christmas cards, client gifts and holiday opening hours all need doing at once. Printers get booked up, couriers slow down and those nice ideas you had in October quietly turn into “maybe next year”.
The good news? With 87 days to go, you’ve got loads of time – if you start now. Here’s a simple plan that takes the stress out of it.
October: make your list and pick your moment
This is thinking month. Grab a coffee and answer three questions:
- Who do you want to thank? Clients, customers, suppliers, your team – or all of them.
- What’s your budget per person? A card, a card and a calendar, or a proper gift.
- What do you want them to remember? Your name, your phone number, a new service?
October is also the time to sort calendars. They need to land before January to be useful, and a calendar with your logo on it gets seen every day for a whole year. That’s a lot of mileage for one bit of print. Take a look at our calendar options.
November: design, proof and print
Now it’s time to make things. Get your Christmas card designed and signed off early in the month – it gives you time to change your mind about the wording without a deadline breathing down your neck.
A few tips for a card people actually read:
- Say something real. A line about the year you’ve had together beats “Season’s Greetings from the team” every time.
- Keep your branding subtle. Your logo on the back or inside is enough. It’s a thank you, not a leaflet.
- Sign them by hand if you can. Even a quick signature makes a card feel personal.
- Order a few spares. Someone always gets missed off the list.
If you’re sending gifts, order them now too. Branded sweet boxes, mugs and stockings are all popular – and nobody has ever complained about receiving sweets.
Early December: send them out
Aim to get cards in the post during the first couple of weeks of December. Arrive too late and your card lands in the pile after everyone’s gone home for the holidays. Check Royal Mail’s last posting dates so you’re not caught out.
Hand-delivering to local clients? Even better. A quick “Merry Christmas” at the door goes a long way.
Mid December: don’t forget online
This is the bit most businesses forget. While your cards are winging their way around York, make sure your online presence is ready for the holidays too:
- Update your opening hours on Google. Our guide to Google Business Profile shows you how to add special hours.
- Add a banner to your website with your Christmas and New Year opening times.
- Post a festive thank you on social media – a photo of the team, not a stock image of a snowman.
- Set an out-of-office message that says when you’re back and who to contact if it’s urgent.
January: carry the goodwill forward
Christmas marketing doesn’t stop on the 25th. January is a quiet month for lots of people, which makes it a great time to follow up. A simple “Happy New Year – here’s what’s new” email or card can start the year’s first conversations. And those calendars you sent? They’re now on the wall doing their job.
Five quick ideas that aren’t just a card
- Branded calendars – useful all year, seen every day.
- Sweet boxes with your logo – a treat for the office that everyone shares (and talks about).
- Christmas menus – if you’re a café, pub or restaurant, festive menus get people booking early.
- Gift vouchers – an easy present for your customers to buy, and money in the bank before January.
- Branded stockings or mugs – a lovely thank you for your own team.
The one thing to do this week
Put 30 minutes in your diary and write your list. Who are you thanking, and roughly what do you want to send? That’s it. Once the list exists, everything else is easy.
We’ve just launched a new Christmas page with cards, calendars and gift ideas all in one place. You can even try out a greeting with your business name on it. Have a look, and if you’d like a hand, give us a call on 01904 501 524 – we’re happy to help you plan it.
Merry Christmas (a little early)!