A Handmade Business Owner’s Guide to Navigating the Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season is here—and with it, the mad dash to get everything ready, ship out orders, and make your customers smile.

If you’re a handmade business owner, you’re no stranger to the busy holiday rush. The good news? You’re not alone in this! You’ve survived busy seasons before, and you can do it again.

 With a little planning, organization, and some well-timed self-care, you can not only survive the next three weeks, but thrive through them. Here’s your ultimate guide to surviving and even enjoying the final stretch of holiday sales.

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1. Start with a Plan (It’s Not Too Late!)

It might feel like you’ve missed the boat for preparing for the holiday rush, but don’t panic! It’s never too late to organize yourself for the next three weeks. A solid plan is your best friend right now.

Prioritize your to-do list: Make a list of all your holiday tasks and break them down into smaller, manageable chunks. Think of it as an adventure quest. Whether it’s restocking materials, catching up on orders, or scheduling social media posts, dividing tasks into smaller steps makes them less daunting.

Set realistic goals: Be honest with yourself about what you can accomplish. Will you be able to create 100 custom orders in three weeks? Maybe, maybe not. Set targets that are achievable, keeping in mind the time it takes to handcraft each item. Set daily or weekly goals for production and stick to them as best you can.

Time blocking is key: Schedule specific blocks of time each day for different tasks. This could mean setting aside mornings for production, afternoons for packing and shipping, and evenings for customer service and marketing. Having a daily routine can keep you on track and prevent last-minute chaos.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Inventory and Supplies

The holidays are known for sudden surges in demand, and there’s nothing worse than running out of a key material midway through an order. Now is the time to check your stock levels and order any supplies you might need.

If you haven’t already, do a complete inventory of your supplies—everything from beads and buttons to shipping boxes and tissue paper. Make sure you have enough to handle the next few weeks.

Shipping times are unpredictable this time of year, so order your materials well ahead of time. Even though you may want to avoid spending too much, running out of something crucial mid-production could be more expensive in the long run. Shop smart and order early.

3. Prepare for Order Volume (Brace Yourself)

We all know the excitement of increased sales, but this can quickly turn into stress when order volume spikes. A few simple strategies can help you handle the surge with confidence.

Update your shop with estimated processing and shipping times. Let your customers know when to expect their orders, especially if you’re facing any potential delays. The more transparent you are, the less anxious your customers will be.

If custom work is part of your business model, it’s tempting to say “yes” to every personalized request. However, this can quickly become overwhelming in the holiday crunch. Consider pausing custom orders or setting a strict deadline for when they can be placed.

If you’re at capacity, consider outsourcing parts of your production. Whether it’s hiring temporary help for packaging or using a local print shop to handle some tasks, giving yourself a break in certain areas can keep you sane. 

4. Shipping: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Ah, shipping. Everyone’s favorite part of running a handmade business—until it’s not. Shipping becomes even more unpredictable during the holiday season, so it’s important to be prepared.

Plan for delays. As much as we want everything to go smoothly, shipping delays are almost inevitable during the holiday shopping season. Be sure to communicate potential delays to customers early, particularly if you’re using carriers with unpredictable timelines (looking at you, USPS!). Consider upgrading to expedited shipping for customers who need their items quickly. 

Packaging matters. We all know that customers appreciate thoughtful, well-packaged items. While you might want to keep things simple, now’s the time to double down on the little details. Even small touches—like a handwritten thank-you note or a cute sticker—can go a long way in making your customers feel valued.

Print shipping labels in bulk. If you’re using platforms like Etsy or Shopify, most of them offer discounted rates for shipping labels. Take advantage of bulk printing options so you can streamline your process. The less time you spend at the post office, the more time you’ll have to focus on crafting and fulfilling orders.

5. Customer Service During the Holiday Shopping Season: Keep It Kind (and Efficient)

One of the hardest things about managing a handmade business during the holiday shopping season is the customer service side of things. Between questions, refund requests, and late-shipping complaints, things can get tricky. But with a little preparation, you can handle customer inquiries with ease.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Send order confirmations and shipping notifications promptly. If there are any potential delays, reach out to customers before they have to ask.

The holiday season can blur the lines between business and personal time, but it’s essential to set clear boundaries. Let your customers know your office hours (if you have them) and when you’re available to respond to inquiries. Setting these expectations will help manage the flow of questions.

When you’re dealing with upset customers (and you will be—sorry!), remember to stay calm and kind. Responding with empathy and a solution-oriented attitude will help keep things from escalating. And hey, you can always take a deep breath and respond the next day if you’re feeling frazzled.

6. Self-Care: Don’t Forget About You

It’s easy to forget about yourself during the holiday shopping season, but don’t. You’re the heart and soul of your business, and if you’re not in good shape, neither will your business be.

It’s tempting to push through the exhaustion, but burnout is not your friend. Make time to step away from the workbench. Whether it’s a short walk, a cup of tea, or even just sitting on the couch to watch your favorite holiday movie, breaks are essential for recharging your creative energy.

This might sound like a broken record, but it’s crucial. Lack of sleep will only make you more stressed and less productive in the long run. Aim for 7-8 hours a night, and your future self will thank you.

It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of meeting deadlines and keeping customers happy, but remember to celebrate your achievements. Finished a batch of orders? High five yourself! Got all the shipping labels printed? Do a little dance! These little moments of gratitude can make all the difference in your attitude.

7. And Finally: Have Fun During the Holiday Shopping Season!

This might sound cheesy, but it’s true—don’t forget to have some fun during the holidays! Yes, it’s stressful. Yes, it’s overwhelming. But it’s also the time of year when people are excited to buy thoughtful, unique handmade gifts from small businesses like yours. The joy of knowing your work is making someone’s holiday special can be incredibly fulfilling.

Take a moment to appreciate what you’ve built, and remember why you started your business in the first place. This season is about sharing joy—both with your customers and yourself.

A Handmade Business Owner’s Guide to Navigating the Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday season is a whirlwind for any handmade business owner, but it’s also one of the most rewarding times of the year. 

With a solid plan, smart time management, and a focus on self-care, you can make it through these final three weeks with your sanity (and creativity) intact. 

Stay organized, communicate clearly with your customers, and remember to take care of yourself along the way. You’ve got this—now go out there and show the world what you’ve made!