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We've launched all things pumpkin (Pumpkin Donut Holes, anyone?) at our cafe, and you know what that means -- the holidays are coming soon! With that in mind...
How do you make time for yourself (in small ways or big ways) to actually enjoy the holidays, while keeping up with the seasonal demands of your business?
This is something that has been even more front of mind since having kids. In the early days of the restaurant, I lived for the manic, demanding pace of the holiday season. But these days, it feels increasingly important to find ways to slow down, soak it in, and, you know, actually enjoy the holidays?? (What an idea!)
Can't wait to hear how you all find ways to do that!
Co-Founder & President
Savage Goods | @savagegoods | savagegoods.com
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These are just suggestions of things that I have both done and learned over the years. They may not be right for you.
When we had young kids, I planned out the month of December and especially the week that the kids were on Christmas vacay from school, so that we could do fun activities together and enjoy the season. I would highly recommend that if you're going to do that, that not only do you do this year right now (RIGHT NOW!) but next year as well. Maybe not the details of next year since you don't know what they will be, but mark the days and hours that you need.... i.e. do you want a Friday off for a whole day of tree trimming? Do you want off one day a week that month after school to do crafts? Do you want a weekend trip? Etc.... Just block out the time now, you can make the decisions a little later. For this year, I would put in the details now. Even if it's just 'craft', 'movie' or 's'more's' so that you have it scheduled.
Remember this: Our kids are only little/young for a short time. Soak up every moment. The laundry doesn't stop because it's December but your kids will be a day older tomorrow. If your kids don't already help with chores, tell them that if they help you, you will have more time for game night or a movie. It gives them a reason to invest their time.
As far as not sinking at work - if you can afford it, a temp hire can be a real benefit for the season. Hire someone with cafe/barista experience who can do customer service and/or other basic tasks that you can relinquish. It will allow you the time you need to focus on year end stuff so that you're not giving up your off hours to get it done and actually get to go home at night.
Having a business partner means that you have to trade off on who's off if you have to cover for each other. Discuss that as far in advance as you can, as to who wants which days off. Time spent with family at the holidays is irreplaceable. If that means you close on the 23rd at noon to get extra time, so be it. Remember, your customers don't define or set your business hours.
My goal is always to work as best I can throughout the year to be ahead of the game come December. October-December is my busy season. Not only for our business but for me personally. It's the middle of the downhill slide into Festival of Trees and it takes me almost 2 weeks just to decorate my own house, on top of everything else I have going on. FOT starts the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and it's the first full week of December. I don't book appointments that week unless it's a massage or my nails. I don't allow anything except my family to derail anything that week. I spend an entire year just planning for that week....
I think the biggest thing is being intentional and present and not expecting too much of yourself ๐
Arctic Heat
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@mksavage this is such a great question! To your point of actually enjoying the holidays, what a concept ๐คฃ
Tagging @theroyalctambo, @Complme, @ultimate, and @tehale
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These are just suggestions of things that I have both done and learned over the years. They may not be right for you.
When we had young kids, I planned out the month of December and especially the week that the kids were on Christmas vacay from school, so that we could do fun activities together and enjoy the season. I would highly recommend that if you're going to do that, that not only do you do this year right now (RIGHT NOW!) but next year as well. Maybe not the details of next year since you don't know what they will be, but mark the days and hours that you need.... i.e. do you want a Friday off for a whole day of tree trimming? Do you want off one day a week that month after school to do crafts? Do you want a weekend trip? Etc.... Just block out the time now, you can make the decisions a little later. For this year, I would put in the details now. Even if it's just 'craft', 'movie' or 's'more's' so that you have it scheduled.
Remember this: Our kids are only little/young for a short time. Soak up every moment. The laundry doesn't stop because it's December but your kids will be a day older tomorrow. If your kids don't already help with chores, tell them that if they help you, you will have more time for game night or a movie. It gives them a reason to invest their time.
As far as not sinking at work - if you can afford it, a temp hire can be a real benefit for the season. Hire someone with cafe/barista experience who can do customer service and/or other basic tasks that you can relinquish. It will allow you the time you need to focus on year end stuff so that you're not giving up your off hours to get it done and actually get to go home at night.
Having a business partner means that you have to trade off on who's off if you have to cover for each other. Discuss that as far in advance as you can, as to who wants which days off. Time spent with family at the holidays is irreplaceable. If that means you close on the 23rd at noon to get extra time, so be it. Remember, your customers don't define or set your business hours.
My goal is always to work as best I can throughout the year to be ahead of the game come December. October-December is my busy season. Not only for our business but for me personally. It's the middle of the downhill slide into Festival of Trees and it takes me almost 2 weeks just to decorate my own house, on top of everything else I have going on. FOT starts the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and it's the first full week of December. I don't book appointments that week unless it's a massage or my nails. I don't allow anything except my family to derail anything that week. I spend an entire year just planning for that week....
I think the biggest thing is being intentional and present and not expecting too much of yourself ๐
Arctic Heat
R&C Property Management
Event Planner/Business Trainer
Member - Women in HVACR
Member - NAWIC; Mentorship Chair for MT Chapter
Square Champions Expert
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I love this all SO much, @CareyJo! Thank you for sharing! I've been in the habit of planning out our "Festive Season" from October-December for exactly the reasons you detailed, but you gave me some new ideas!
I also love 'your customers don't define or set your business hours.' What a fantastic reminder as we head into this season. My kids are 5 and 1, and it's this incredibly magical season of life for them. I don't want to trade that time for anything else. Thank you for the encouragement (and practical ideas!) to plan ahead. Going to do this RIGHT NOW.
Co-Founder & President
Savage Goods | @savagegoods | savagegoods.com
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You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful!
Arctic Heat
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I just saw the phrase "pumpkin donut holes" and came running.
But seriously- good question @mksavage !
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This is my favorite time of the year-- both as a mom and a business owner. I love helping all the walk-ins find gifts and the local events and just all of it. Our neighborhood does a Trick-or-Treat for the kids and I do something for the adults too. My daughter come to work with me and I always think she is going to want to go out and gather treats but she really loves to be the one to pass them out. So it works for us.
Then for Christmas all the old adobe buildings open for 4 nights. They decorate like it is the 1800s, tons of people walk around to tour them, and the whole downtown is lit by candlelight. I LOVE it. I stay open late and also find a gap to go do a few tours. My daughter loves it too and usually comes with. They give out cookies and hot chocolate so obviously a win in her book.
I try as hard as I can to balance both but I've found just merging them works for us.
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Agree with this.
Something about having a shop in a small town. There are so many great events this time of year and we just adore being a part of it all and helping our customers.
Co-Owner Amityville Apothecary
www.shopamityvilleapothecary.com
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This is so incredibly sweet @Doran ! I love that you involve your daughter in all of it -- what a beautiful, memorable experience for her. (Also, it's so beautiful how much kids love handing out candy! They have such an innate generosity!)
Co-Founder & President
Savage Goods | @savagegoods | savagegoods.com