I know what you’re thinking, Halloween isn’t even over but Christmas is just around the corner! And while it’s a season of joy and family, it can also be a whirlwind for us juggling business dreams with that military life. But fear not, because you can absolutely make the most of this festive period and thrive with your small business!

Planning is Power:

Let’s face it, time is a precious commodity especially with the additional juggle of ‘their’ endless work Christmas parties, and SO many hangovers to contend with. So, the first step is to plan strategically.

Grab a notebook, a cuppa (or a glass of mulled wine, no judgement!), and schedule a dedicated planning session.

Consider these key areas:

  • Inventory: Do a stocktake. Will your existing stock suffice, or do you need to order additional festive-themed products? Remember, delivery times can get longer closer to Christmas.
  • Promotions: Plan your offers and discounts in advance. Consider early bird specials, package deals, or loyalty rewards for repeat customers.
  • Marketing: Schedule social media posts, email campaigns, and any other marketing activities you’ll be doing. Use creative platforms like Canva to create eye-catching Christmas-themed content quickly, and start researching your AI prompts to support your content creation. Remember, AI is your brilliant assistant, but you need to add your special sparkle.
  • Logistics: If you offer delivery services, plan routes and delivery schedules to prevent last-minute scrambling.

Time Management Magic:

We all know military life can get unpredictable, so here’s how to maximize your productivity:

  • Batching: Group similar tasks together, like responding to emails or packing orders. This helps you stay focused and avoid context switching, saving precious time.
  • Delegation is Divine: Delegate tasks you don’t have to do yourself. Can your children help wrap gifts (get those little hands working – Santa is watching!), or could you hire a virtual assistant for specific tasks?
  • Early Mornings: Utilise quieter mornings to get a head start on work…and fuel yourself with the chocolate coins from the tree! (just me?)
  • Take advantage of Military Welfare Resources: Many military bases offer childcare support, spouse programmes, and even co-working spaces. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these!

Sparkle & Shine: Service-Based Businesses:

Now, let’s get creative! Here are some ways service-based businesses can make the most of the Christmas spirit:

  • Special Festive Packages: Offer limited-edition gift packages for your services. This could be a discounted series of personal training sessions, a “festive styling” package for homes or gardens, or a themed workshop (think Christmas baking classes!).
  • Gift Certificates: These are always a popular choice! Design beautiful certificates themed for the season and promote them as the perfect last-minute gift.
  • Partner Up: Collaborate with other local businesses for joint promotions or events, expanding your reach to new audiences.

Gift Wrapping Goodness: Product-Based Businesses:

  • Festive Products: This is your time to shine! Offer special edition Christmas-themed versions of your existing products or create entirely new festive ranges. Think personalized Christmas decorations, festive dog treats, or limited-edition Christmas soaps.
  • Gift Sets & Bundles: Create beautifully curated gift sets that combine your products. This makes it easier for customers to buy and adds perceived value.
  • Gift Wrapping Service: Offer gift wrapping services at a premium, especially for fragile or bulky items. This adds a level of convenience and creates a delightful experience for your customers, plus, it’s an added revenue stream for your business.

Social Media Savvy:

Social media is your powerhouse during the festive season, and in 2023 UK shoppers spent £24.4bn online over the Christmas period (This is according to data from Adobe Digital Insights, which tracked purchases from November 1 to December 31).

 Your social media channels can be marketing gold! Here are some tips for service and product-based businesses:

  • Get Festive! Decorate your social media profiles with Christmas-themed graphics and colour schemes.
  • Run Contests & Giveaways: Generate excitement with festive giveaways featuring your products or services – but in a way that doesn’t annoy the platforms, or those beady-eyed competitors keen to report your posts to their Meta gods. Who even has that much extra time in the day to be that unsupportive!?
  • Holiday-Themed Content: Share recipes, DIY tutorials, and gift ideas related to your business.
  • Let AI take care of the key words and SEO: Once you’ve created your beautiful content, run it through your favourite AI assistant and ask for help adding keywords and SEO goodness.

Remember the Reason:

Finally, let’s not forget the true spirit of Christmas. While thriving in business is important, make sure you prioritise time for family and friends. Enjoy the festive season with loved ones, even if it’s just microwaving a mince pie and watching a holiday movie together (Love Actually is my favourite, thanks for asking).  A happy and rested you translates to a more successful business!

Want to maximize your visibility during the festive rush? Don’t forget to list your business on the incredible Find a Milspo directory (www.findamilspo.co.uk)! This fantastic resource connects military families with fantastic businesses run by other military spouses, just like you. A listing on Find a Milspo allows you to showcase your festive offerings to a targeted audience who value and support military families. It’s a win-win!

Remember, military spouses, you’ve got this! With a little bit of early planning, strategy, and maybe a few mulled wines.