Your Checklist To Log Off Your Business for Holidays With Confidence 

1. Schedule Out of Office Emails  

Out-of-office replies are a lifesaver when you’re away from your inbox. Set up an automatic email response to inform clients, customers, and contacts that you’ll be unavailable, when you’ll be back, and whom they can contact in your absence (if applicable). Include details about expected response times and any relevant links to FAQs or resources they can refer to. If you have Google Workspace based emails this can be done easily from Fmail. For those with server hosted email addresses you will probably need to log into the Webmail interface to access these settings.

2. Update Website Banners

Update your homepage or contact page with a banner announcing your upcoming closures or any specific updates such as postage delays or cut offs.

3. Turn Off Purchases or Offers (If Not Available

If you’re unable to fulfill orders or offer services over the holidays, consider disabling purchasing or booking options on your website temporarily. This prevents clients from making purchases or scheduling appointments during your downtime, ensuring that no one is left waiting. Don’t forget to set reminder to turn it back on if you are not able to relist it on an automatic schedule!

4. Close the Booking Calendar

Block off the dates you’ll be unavailable in your booking or scheduling software. This will automatically prevent clients from booking appointments on those days. If you have a client who needs a session before the holidays, reach out and remind them to book now before your calendar fills up. Going forward aim to block out dates in your calendar as soon as you know you plan to be away form your desk. This will help eliminate having to reschedule conflicting appointments later!

5. Update Opening Hours

Update Google My Business with holiday hours. Don’t forget anywhere else you publically display operating hours like Instagram bios or websites FAQs.

6. Trigger Filtering or Alerts for New Inquiries

You can opt to set up a notifications to alert you of any new inquiries, form submissions, or messages that come in while you’re away. This way, you won’t miss out on important leads, but you can review them all at once when you return instead of feeling pressured to respond immediately. Alternatively, set up a filter in your email inbox or CRM to make the review process easier when you get back. 

7. Communicate with Current Clients

If you have ongoing projects or client commitments, send an email to let them know about your holiday hours. Remind them of any outstanding tasks on their end and let them know who to contact for urgent matters during your break. This proactive communication goes a long way in maintaining strong client relationships.

8. Pause or Adjust Marketing Campaigns

Check any active marketing campaigns or ads. You can pause, adjust or replace ads that are not relevant while you are closed. Alternatively, if you’re running holiday promotions, make sure those campaigns are scheduled to end at the appropriate time to avoid confusion.

9. Back Up Important Files

Make sure you’ve backed up important files and documents before you log off. Whether you’re using cloud storage or an external drive, having a secure backup gives you peace of mind. In the event of a tech hiccup, you’ll know that your data is safe.

10. Review and Save Social Media Schedules

If you have social media posts scheduled over the holidays, double-check that they are relevant, aligned and appropriate. EG posts about productivity might not feel aligned when you would rather encourage people to take a break. You might want to include a few holiday-themed messages or turn off posting altogether if you’re going for a full digital detox.

11. Update Invoices and Inventory

Ensure all outstanding invoices are processed, and inventory levels have been checked. This will reduce stress when you return, as you won’t have to worry about a backlog of finances or supply issues.

12. Set Reminders for Your Return

Schedule reminders for key tasks you’ll need to address as soon as you’re back. This could include client follow-ups, reviewing inquiries, or catching up on social media messages. This way, you have a clear to-do list ready to go, avoiding that post-holiday overwhelm.

13. Communicate with Your Team

Be sure to clarify tasks, deadlines, priorities and responsibilities. What actually HAS to be done before holidays? If your team will be working in your absence make sure it is clear who to contact for urgent matters, where to access documents, SOPS, or other resources, and that they are clear on their responsibilities.

Optional – Gifts

A final task that fits really well into this checklist  

Getting Ready to Take a Break

By following this holiday checklist, you’ll set yourself and your business up for a smooth, stress-free break. A little preparation now means you can truly log off and enjoy the holiday season, knowing that everything is taken care of. So, grab a cup of cocoa, set up your out-of-office email, and prepare to relax—because you’ve earned it!