If you’re responsible for ordering anything for your business over the festive period, starting early can make Christmas a whole lot less stressful.
And no, we’re not suggesting you put your Christmas tree up in August. We’re simply saying it might be worth getting a few things ticked off the list before the Christmas rush begins.
Every year, we tell ourselves we’ll be more organised.
“This year, we’ll get everything sorted early.”
And then suddenly it’s December, suppliers are busy, delivery deadlines are getting closer and you’re frantically trying to find something that everyone will love.
The run-up to Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for businesses, so leaving your orders until the last minute can mean fewer options, tighter deadlines and more stress.
Planning ahead gives you something much more valuable than just getting your Christmas shopping done…
Time.
Time to compare options.
Time to get samples.
Time to make changes.
Time to get your branding just right.
And, most importantly, time to enjoy December without a hundred jobs still sitting on your to-do list.
When we think about Christmas at work, the Christmas party is usually the first thing that comes to mind.
But there are plenty of other things you might want to organise before the festive season arrives.
Whether you’re looking for something small to say thank you or a more substantial gift for your team, branded gifts can be a great way to show your employees that you appreciate them.
From useful everyday products to personalised gifts, there are plenty of options that can be tailored to your budget and your business.
And let’s be honest who doesn’t love getting a little Christmas gift from work?
Christmas jumpers aren’t just for families!
Why not get your team involved with personalised Christmas clothing? Think branded Christmas jumpers, festive T-shirts, hoodies or even something a little more subtle that your team can wear throughout December.
It’s also a great opportunity to get some fun content for your social media.
Matching Christmas jumpers + your team + a camera = instant festive content.
Christmas is also the perfect time to say thank you to the people who have supported your business throughout the year.
A thoughtful branded gift for your best customers or clients can be a simple way to strengthen those relationships and keep your business front of mind going into the new year.
You don’t have to spend a fortune either. A useful, well-chosen promotional product can often make much more impact than an expensive gift that ends up sitting in a cupboard.
One of the biggest reasons we recommend getting your Christmas orders started early is choice.
The closer you get to Christmas, the busier suppliers become. Popular products can sell out, lead times can increase and delivery schedules can become tighter.
By getting your order started earlier, you have more opportunity to:
Explore different products and ideas
Compare prices and quantities
Get samples before committing
Finalise your artwork and branding
Make sure everything arrives when you need it
Avoid the dreaded last-minute panic!
It also gives you a bit more flexibility if something isn’t quite right.
Because nobody wants to discover on 20th December that the Christmas gifts they’ve ordered aren’t going to arrive until January. 😬
You don’t need a huge spreadsheet or a colour-coded Christmas command centre.
Just start with a few simple questions:
Who are you buying for?
Your staff? Customers? Clients? Event attendees? Suppliers?
What do you actually need?
Gifts? Clothing? Promotional products? Christmas party accessories?
How many do you need?
Having a rough quantity makes it much easier to work out your budget and explore suitable options.
When do you need everything by?
Don’t just think about Christmas Day. Think about Christmas parties, office shut-down dates, events and when your team will actually be in the office.
Once you’ve got those basics, the rest becomes much easier.
Starting early doesn’t mean you have to start feeling festive in August.
You can enjoy the last of summer and be organised for Christmas.
Get the ideas flowing now, get your orders sorted over the next few months and by the time December arrives, you can sit back knowing you’ve already ticked one more thing off the list.
No frantic emails.
No last-minute product searches.
No “will this actually arrive in time?” panic.
Just Christmas.
If your business needs branded clothing, personalised gifts or promotional products for the festive season, now is a great time to start thinking about it.
At Spectrum Merchandising, we can help you find the right products for your budget, add your branding and get everything organised in plenty of time for Christmas.
Whether you know exactly what you want or you’ve got absolutely no idea where to start, we’re happy to help.
Because Christmas will be here before we know it…
And Future You will definitely thank you for getting organised early. 🎄
Need some Christmas inspiration? Get in touch with the Spectrum team and let’s start planning.
