Christmas Shutdown Tips

The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to prepare for a well-deserved break. Whether you’re at the helm of a business, shoulder substantial work commitments, or aspire to cultivate a festive ambience within your workspace, a Christmas shutdown period is a perfect opportunity to recharge and get ready for the new year.

In this blog post, we’re going to run through a series of actionable steps that will ensure your holiday closure is not only smooth but actually works in your favour.

1. Communicate important information to your clients about the changes happening in your business during this festive season while highlighting the following points.

• Send an email to your clients outlining your Christmas shutdown dates.
• Provide an emergency contact number if they need assistance while you’re closed.
• Clearly explain how your services may change or be limited during the shutdown period.

Inform your staff as well and make arrangements for any adjustments. Identify any invoices due during the shutdown and schedule the payments in advance.

2. Customise your Out of Office reply not only for email but also for voicemail. Ensure consistency in the information provided across all communication channels. Make sure your reply includes the essential information. This helps manage client expectations.

3. Diarise regular website monitoring to ensure it’s up and functioning.

• Non-transactional websites can be checked every 5-7 days
• E-commerce businesses, consider checking every 3 days. Plan your ordering cut-off date and manage inventory to prevent disruptions.

4. Schedule social media posts to maintain your online presence and engage with your audience during the break. Use social media management tools to plan your social media content well in advance. You should schedule for the first week of January as well to give you a head start.

Collaborate with your marketing team or agency to draft a detailed marketing plan for January. Ensure all materials and campaigns are ready to go live when you return.

5. Since the workload will reduce during the holiday season, you might also want to consider any maintenance work and upgrades that could be done in your office or within your systems.

This can ensure a smooth return next year and strategic planning will benefit you for a good start. Allocate resources and set clear priorities to handle the anticipated high workload efficiently.

6. Go beyond tidying your desk by considering an office-wide decluttering session. Encourage staff to clean their workspaces and common areas, fostering a pleasant and organised environment for a more positive and clear-minded return.

7. For your security, conduct a thorough check for your physical office. Ensure all electronic devices are powered down, and double-check the functionality of fire alarms and security systems.

With these tips in mind, you can spend your holidays carefree during the closure. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024.