How We Tie Our Business in a Bow for the Holidays 🎀
Five things we do in under five minutes to tie business in a bow, relax and let go, before the ‘out of office’ goes on for the holiday season.
Emma Bowdler
I’m a cheerleader for women and an accountant bursting with personality.
The holidays are a comin’, and you know what that means: clients go quiet, cash flow slows, and your inbox takes a well-earned nap. But before you hit ‘Out of Office’ and pour yourself a drink with way too much ice, there’s some vital work still left to do.
Tying your business in a bow at the end of the year isn’t about overhauling your systems or planning for the New Year—that’s January’s prah-blem. Right now, it’s about knotting the loose ends so you can truly switch off, knowing your biz is in good enough shape while you’re out of action.
Here’s the deal: in less time than it takes to scroll through Instagram or wrap a few Christmas presents, you can tackle these five tasks. So, start those engines, and let’s get this done.
1. Prepare Your ‘OOO’ Email Auto-Reply
Let’s start with the simplest, most satisfying task: setting up your Out Of Office email auto-reply. Why? Because clear communication with your clients and suppliers about when you’ll be back—and what to do if something is truly urgent—saves everyone from unnecessary stress. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point but don’t shy away from adding a little personality!
Honestly, you’ll be amazed at how much lighter you feel just knowing this one’s ticked off. Plus, it’s another opportunity to tell a compelling brand story and show people what you really care about.
💌 Pro Tip
Include your closure and reopening dates, as well as an alternative contact if you have one (like a team member or a general inbox).
Here’s two examples for you to adapt, one’s short and sweet, the other’s a little spicy…
🍭 Hi there!
I’m officially OOO until [date].
For anything urgent, please reach out to [name/contact]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you when I return—probably with sand still everywhere it doesn’t belong.
Happy holidays!
🌶️ Hi there,
I’m currently so far away from my inbox it’s not funny, sipping something cold, dodging emails, and pretending the ‘real world’ doesn’t exist until [date].
Here’s the deal:
→ If it’s urgent (like actually urgent, not just “I forgot about this deadline” urgent), you can contact [backup contact] at [email/phone].
→ If it can wait, sit tight—I’ll get back to you once I’ve returned, and have a few more f*cks to give.
Happy holidays, and may your inbox stay as empty as Santa’s sack on Boxing Day.
Cheers!
2. Add Your Office Closure Details to Your Email Signature
While you’re already in your email settings, take another minute to update your signature.
Why? Because not everyone reads auto-replies (shocking, we know), and you’ll save yourself from having to answer the same “When are you back?” emails over and over.
Basically, just an easy step that keeps everyone in the loop without much extra effort on your part.
📌 What to include:
- Closure and reopening dates (inc. postage cut off dates for product-based biz!)
- A thank-you message to your clients for their support this year
- A lil reminder to get in touch early in the new year
✏️ Example:
We’re taking a well-earned break from [date] to [date].
Thank you for being part of our 2024—we can’t wait to help you smash your goals in 2025!
3. Chase Up Your Debtors (Yes, Now!)
The holidays aren’t called the silly season for nothing, because sh*t is expensive, and let’s face it—Santa ain’t paying the bills. If you’ve got outstanding invoices floating around, now’s the time to play the collection game.
Absolutely pass GO, and absolutely collect that $200 (hopefully more)!
Honestly, getting that cash in the bank before the end of the year means you can breathe a little easier knowing you’re starting January with a healthier financial cushion.
👛 How to tackle it:
- Review your debtor list and any outstanding invoices
- Send friendly payment reminders with clear instructions on how to pay
- Offer a final payment date before your office closes
✏️ Sample Message:
Hey, just a quick reminder that Invoice #1234 for [amount] is fast approaching. To ensure everything’s wrapped up before the holidays, we’d love to receive payment by [date].
Thanks so much!
4. Block Out Your Diary for the New Year Reopening
Returning to work after a break can feel a bit like peeling yourself out of a hammock and diving straight into a marathon—fecking impossible—unless you plan ahead. If you want to avoid the shock, block out a few days in your calendar to acclimatise after reopening.
Guaranteed, it will make your January far more manageable and help you avoid being overwhelmed before you’ve even had your first coffee of the New Year.
📅 Here’s what we do:
- Block out our first three days back for emails only (no meetings!).
- Reserve an entire afternoon in the first week for strategic planning or a ‘retro’ session with the team (here’s how we do it).
- Stagger client bookings for the second week back, easing into a normal schedule by week three.
- Map out the year ahead on a 12 month calendar, and holidays / immoveable deadlines (e.g. EOFY, BAS due dates) go in *first*.
5. Quick Vibe Check:
How Are You Really Feeling Right Now?
By the time you get to the end of another year, everything that’s happened is kind of a blur. Now is rarely the time for deep reflection where you peel back all the layers of the business onion. But neither do you want to charge into the holidays without taking a hot minute (or five) to pause, reflect, and check in with yourself. This isn’t about spreadsheets or strategy; it’s about you.
Grab a piece of paper, open your notes app, or just sit quietly for a moment and ask yourself the following questions. One minute per question. Write down whatever comes up—no judgement, no filter…
1. How am I feeling about my business right now? (Overwhelmed? Excited? Burnt out?)
2. Off the top of my head, what’s gone really well this year?
3. What’s been tough?
4. What’s still on my mind that I want to come back to in the New Year?
5. What’s one simple change that could make my business—and my life—flow more smoothly next year?
We’re big believers that fortune favours the fierce, and by being honest with yourself about where you’re at—and where you want to go—you can create the clarity and confidence you need to take those big, bold steps towards a more epic business by design, with freedom as the bottom line.
Friendly Reminders
From Your Business BFFs
By taking just five minutes for each of these tasks, you’re not just saving yourself hours of stress later—you’re setting yourself up to actually enjoy your break, without the nagging “Did I forget something?” feeling lurking in the background.
As you wrap up the year (and maybe a few last-minute presents), don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate what you’ve pulled off this year. It’s amazing. Don’t forget it, or gloss over it. Running a business certainly ain’t for the faint-hearted (*shouts: in this economy*), and making space to celebrate, reflect, recharge, and reset is all part of the deal of what it takes to be a savvy business owner.
Cheers to you and the year you’ve built—now go put your feet up!
If you’re ready to take things to the next level in the New Year, book in your Bloom & Boom Business Growth Strategy Session with
The Women’s Accountant today!
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