Christmas in My Etsy Shops

NaNoWriMo update: it's Day 5 and I'm on track (and a smidge over) with 8452 words.

I've put a few more Christmas items in my Etsy shop, Twice Shy Restored:

This little snowman trio;

Baby Jesus candy cane ornaments;

and, salt shaker snow scenes.

In answer to the question, "What is your best advice for juggling the holidays, your business, and family commitments", I'd have to say, START EARLY.

Everyone's different. Some people thrive on doing things at the last minute. I'm not one of those people. I am a listmaker. I'm an organizer. Nothing stresses me out more than having to rush to meet a deadline. So, when it comes to my business, I'll start planning for the holidays well ahead of time -- at least by July. By then I know if I'm doing any shows or have any products I'm reproducing in quantity. By August I've bought supplies. By September I'm in production. By the end of October, I'm finished with major preparation and have a plan for implementation. I'm also in the thick of saying "no" to anything extra and setting boundaries with other commitments in my life. That's the only way I know how to do it. That way, the business doesn't impact my family life except for a few set days when I've asked my husband and sometimes even my son to chip in.

How about you?