Holiday prep tips for creative minds

Hi! 👋

This is for the creators who want to have a Christmas collection this year. Customers are already at the door! 👀

Welcome (back)! 🤗

This is Petra from ​The Creators' Diary​. If this is your first TC’D newsletter, welcome! We’re happy you’ve subscribed!

Share what you think about this issue or the questions you struggle with as a creator by simply replying to this email. A ​real human (Petra)​ reads it.

Story of the week 🗞️

In the US ​last year​, nearly half of holiday shoppers (48%) planned to start Christmas shopping before Halloween, and 12% began their purchases by August 31.

13% planned to do it in September, 24% in October, 37% in November, and 15% in December.

Imagine what Santa will bring this year. 🎅

While the quoted research is related to traditional retail, it will likely reflect the behaviour of potential customers of creative businesses as well—likely some of your shoppers, too.

Based on my research, many creators from around the world have already started the groundwork for the holidays this year (or even started selling holiday-themed products):

• Martha Brook, owner of a small stationery business in London, recently ​posted​ about prepping their Christmas collection
• Vicky from Ashfield Macramé, in Ireland, ​reminded​ other creators that this is the perfect time to start preparing for the Christmas markets and that she has 4 Christmas tutorials available now
• Kat from Mrs.P's Porch in the US ​shared​ in July that their customisable 2025 Christmas ornament became available (and a bunch of others are in their shop already, too)
• Tulips & Thread, also in the US, ​celebrated​ their first Christmas sale only a few days ago, selling the first Christmas stocking of the year that she sewed

The point of this newsletter is not to stress you out, and it's definitely not written in praise of pointless shopping or overindulging in presents, losing sight of a holiday with a lovely message. But, to be frank, nearly all creators I talked to confirmed that the holiday period always brings in a little extra, and they always remind themselves to try and get ready for it a little sooner next year. Take this as that reminder, if you'd like.

A little brainstorming on Christmas collection? Maybe doing a few sketches? Checking out what other creators are planning? Those probably wouldn't hurt. And although I started with pointing out that it might be a good idea to get Christmas-ready (right now?), I advise you to take a route that feels most comfortable to you.

What if you work gradually, being both ready for action and keeping it calm? Think about this.

• Do a little idea session in August, then start to formalise a design (of whatever you make and sell) in September, and possibly have finished products by the end of October. You can start selling your Christmas products right when Halloween is over.
• Or, if you work more speedily, you can do a pre-sale before Halloween, with a limited batch, to spark interest and give people that exclusive vibe, and then a regular sale after the spooky things are gone, for those who don't want to think about Christmas before then anyway.

Remember, some(!) customers are ready for Christmas and are already at your door, but it's your decision how you schedule everything at your business for the big holiday.

I personally wish you a very merry preparation (whenever you'll get to it) and the magic of savouring your sanity and genuine creativity in the second half of the year!

Oh, and may the little elves bring you the profit you desire! ('cause, let's be real 🧝)

Creator quote of the week 📌

This is Tulips and Thread with her first sold stocking of the year, Santa's unicorn. 🦄

See you next week,

Petra

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