The festive season is fast approaching, and for small businesses, it can be both the busiest and most rewarding time of the year. Whether you’re selling handcrafted soaps, essential oil blends, or luxury candles, the secret to a stress-free December lies in smart preparation.
Here’s how to get your products, packaging, and production schedule ready before year-end, so you can close with confidence and start 2026 strong.
Review Your Best-Sellers and Stock Up Early
Take a look at last year’s top performers or check which products have been trending in the past few months. These are your golden tickets for festive sales.
Tip: Order raw materials, packaging, and labels well in advance. Many suppliers (including us!) close mid-December, so plan your restocks early to avoid last-minute panic.
Brightpack tip:
Online orders close 17 December (COB) and walk-ins are open until 19 December at 16h30.
Create Festive-Ready Products
Customers love seasonal touches, it helps your brand feel fresh and in-tune with the season. You don’t need to overhaul your range; a few small tweaks can go a long way.
Ideas to Try:
- Add a holiday twist to your existing scents, think Warm Cinnamon, Vanilla Sundae, or Sweet Citrus & Black Pepper.
- Offer mini sizes or gift sets in clear or amber glass for easy gifting.
- Introduce limited-edition packaging: gold lids, festive ribbons, or custom labels that say “Limited Holiday Edition”.
Brightpack tip:
Our gold/silver droppers, amber glass bottles, gold/silver caps, and amber PET bottles are perfect for creating premium holiday gift ranges.
Refresh Your Branding and Displays
The end of the year is the perfect time to give your brand visuals a quick polish. Even small updates can grab attention.
Try this:
- Update your label design with a subtle festive border or icon.
- Refresh your online store banners or signage with seasonal colours (warm metallics, greens, deep reds).
- Make sure your product photos are bright, consistent, and festive-ready for social media and ads.
If you have a physical shop, add a few in-store TV banner visuals showcasing best-sellers or gift bundles, customers often make impulse purchases while browsing.
Communicate Your Closure and Delivery Dates Clearly
Transparency keeps customers happy. Let them know your last order dates, dispatch times, and reopening schedule well in advance.
Checklist:
- Add closure dates to your website banner and social bios.
- Include them in your order confirmation emails and email signature.
- Post a reminder on social media one week before closing.
Example:
“Please note: Online orders close 17 December (COB). Walk-ins are welcome until 19 December at 16h30. Orders placed after this date will be processed when we reopen on 5 January 2026.”
Plan Your Promotions Before You Clock Out
The weeks leading up to Christmas are perfect for running flash sales or gift-bundle promos. Schedule them ahead so you can step away from your laptop guilt-free.
Promotion ideas:
- Buy 2 Get 1 Free on fragrance oils or glass bottles.
- Festive Refill Specials – encourage eco-friendly gifting.
- January Reboot Sale – market as a “Back to Business” event for makers restocking in the new year.
Prep for a Smooth Re-Start in January
Before you shut down your laptop, take an hour to tidy your digital workspace.
- Archive completed projects.
- Note which products ran low fastest.
- List ideas you want to test in the new year.
Your future self will thank you when you return refreshed and ready to go.
Wrap Up the Year Brightly
Preparation doesn’t just save stress, it sets your brand up for a strong finish and an even stronger start to the new year.
So, stock up early, design with intention, and let Brightpack help you shine through the season.
