The Ultimate Holiday Planning Guide for Makers

The holidays can be both magical and messy when you run a handmade business.

One minute, you’re excited about cozy packaging and festive sales....

the next, you’re wondering if you’ll have enough time to breathe (or ship all those orders.)

I’ve been there, staying up late finishing orders, answering messages, and trying to keep up with social media while still enjoying the season.

That’s why I created this Holiday Planning Guide for Makers, to help you build a holiday season that’s profitable, peaceful, and actually fun. 🌿

Let’s plan it together.

Step 1: Map Your Holiday Season Early

If you want to sell more and stress less, start your holiday planning early.

Set aside an hour this week to map out:

Key sales dates: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and your own shop deadlines (like last shipping date for Christmas.)

Your visibility plan: When will you start teasing holiday collections? When do sneak peeks begin?

Your energy boundaries: How many orders can you realistically fulfill and still enjoy the holidays?

Pro Tip: Use my 3 C’s of Content Framework -

• Calendar Content for seasonal posts

• Conversational Content for polls or behind-the-scenes, and

• Cornerstone Content for educational or story-driven posts that build trust.

Step 2: Create a “Holiday Hub”

Instead of scattering links and posts everywhere, build one central space where your customers can find:

• Your holiday collection

• Gift guides or bundles

• Shipping deadlines

• Easy “buy now” links

Whether it’s a simple landing page, an Etsy section, or a link in your Instagram bio, make it effortless for your customers to shop and support you.

Remember: Simplicity sells. Confused customers don’t click.

Step 3: Plan Your Marketing (and Batch It)

Once your holiday timeline is set, plan your marketing in batches.

That means writing all your captions, designing graphics, and scheduling posts in advance.

Here’s an easy rhythm you can follow:

• 8 weeks before: Sneak peeks + email list prep

• 6 weeks before: Product reveals + gift guide content

• 4 weeks before: Highlight bestsellers + social proof

• 2 weeks before: “Last call” and urgency posts

✨ Bonus tip: Repurpose everything.

Your Instagram carousel → becomes a Pinterest pin → becomes an email tip → becomes a blog snippet.

Step 4: Protect Your Energy

The holidays can easily become too much for makers - too many orders, too many ideas, too little rest.

Let this season be different.

Set limits. Build buffers. Leave space to recharge.

Ask yourself:

“How do I want to feel this December?”

Then plan your marketing, production, and schedule around that intention.

Freedom doesn’t come from working nonstop, it comes from systems that support your sanity.

Step 5: Make Visibility a Priority

If you want more eyes on your products this season, you don’t need to hustle harder, you need a strategy.

Start with my free Visibility Cheat Sheet, it’s the first step to building visibility that lasts long after the holiday rush.

It’ll help you:

• Get seen by your dream customers

• Simplify your social media plan

• Build your email list (so you’re not relying on Etsy or algorithms)

👉 Download your free Visibility Cheat Sheet here.

When you’re ready to go even deeper, my course Escape Etsy & Explode Your Small Business Sales walks you through turning that visibility into independent, consistent sales.

In Closing

Your handmade business deserves a season that feels abundant and aligned.

Plan early. Batch wisely. Protect your peace.

And remember, your creativity is your greatest asset, not your exhaustion.

This holiday, let’s make space for both sales and stillness.

You’ve got this, maker.

— Rhiannon 🌿

How to Prepare, Promote, and Protect Your Peace This Season