(If you are looking for gifts, decor, corporate gifting, inspiration, or fun, MenloVille, pictured above, decked for the holidays, is a great place to start. Tell Lisa we say, “hello”.)
Well, I’m a little late this year with the reminder.
ORDER EARLY AND AVOID RUSH PRINTING AND SHIPPING COSTS:
These are the things that seem end up being rushed in November and costing extra for rush shipping – prepping and ordering gift bags, greeting cards, holiday decor, gift certificates, gift tags, posters, etc…
Each year in November and December we get a slew of last-minute projects for which clients end up paying rush shipping and printing rates. (Reminder of our rush project policy.)
AND OTHER HOLIDAY ITEMS:
Plan your online marketing: e-mail campaigns, seasonal web site changes, and AdWords campaigns.
Are you sending cards, party invitations, and/or gifts to your clients and partners this year? Let’s get on that too!
Selling gifts? Check your inventory and the lead times of items you wish to stock. From October on-wards, order fulfillment and shipping from your vendors may take additional time. Also, be sure you stock plenty of festive packaging and shipping supplies if you plan on mailing items.
Holiday party? Book your caterer (you can’t go wrong with our client, Palace Cafe Catering!), asap. Start sending Save the Date invites early. Plan how you are going to invite people and take RSVPs.
Don’t forget your staff! Plan parties, gifts, etc…
This is also the time of year to think about partner marketing for the holidays. Consider gathering a group of businesses with similar clients to yours and use their mail lists and social media to get the word out about your holiday specials, events, etc…
Here’s some 2017 key dates to keep in mind…
OCTOBER
Halloween, Tuesday, 31th
NOVEMBER
Daylight Savings, Sunday, 5th
Veterans’ Day, Friday, 11th
Thanksgiving, Thursday, 23rd
Black Friday, 24th
Cyber Monday, 27th
DECEMBER
Pearl Harbor Remembrance, Thursday, 7th
Green Monday, 11th
Hanukkah, Tuesday, 12th through Wednesday, 20th
Festivus, Saturday, 23rd
Christmas Day, Monday, 25th
Boxing Day | Kwanzza, Tuesday, 26th
New Year’s Eve, Sunday, 31st
