Holiday Hustle vs. Presence: A Guide for Business Owners

I check out during the holidays. When I was working at the Utah Department of Health all of the agencies we worked with were out of the office from December 20 to January 6th. Why I never worked for an agency is beyond me. I celebrate the holidays and if you were a fan of my last business Hint of Lavender then you understand my level of celebrating. I want to be with my family, bake all day long and watch as many holiday movies as we can. I understand that is not everyone’s cup of tea, and that most people can not take off work from December 20 to January 6th. This season has got me thinking about the holiday hustle verse being present. Naturally I thought about all the female business owners that I have the privilege of working for and collaborating with; so ladies, this guide is for you.. 

Now the holiday season has a way of pulling business owners in two directions. On one hand, you feel the pressure of “just one more email, one more project, one more client touchpoint.” On the other, there’s a longing for presence—with family, traditions, and quiet moments that fuel your energy for the year ahead.

It’s easy to get stuck in the hustle, but the truth is: your business benefits just as much (if not more) from your ability to step back, rest, and reset. Let’s talk about finding that balance.

The Trap of “Just One More…”

We’ve all been there: you’re about to shut down for the evening when you think, I’ll just finish this one email. That email turns into 30 minutes. That project “you’ll just wrap up” bleeds into family time. Before you know it, the holidays feel like any other busy work week.

The problem? “Just one more” rarely ends at one. It keeps you in a loop of doing instead of being—and steals from the very people and traditions that make the season meaningful.

Strategies to Stay Visible During the Holiday Season

The good news: you don’t have to disappear to find your presence. With a little planning, your business can stay visible without you being glued to your laptop.

• Schedule content in advance. Use tools like Later, Buffer, or even the native scheduling tools in LinkedIn and Instagram to queue up posts before the season hits.

• Automate your newsletters. Draft your holiday message early, and let your email platform send it for you. A thoughtful year-end note to your subscribers can nurture relationships without needing your constant attention.

• Set clear expectations. Let clients or partners know your availability—and reinforce it with an out-of-office reply that’s warm, professional, and firm about when you’ll return.

Think of these as your digital “holiday helpers,” keeping your presence alive while you unplug.

Prioritizing Traditions and Rest Without Guilt

Family traditions—big or small—are anchors during this season. Whether it’s decorating cookies with your kids, watching that same old movie, or simply enjoying dinner without screens, these moments recharge you in ways work never can.

To honor them without guilt:

• Block them off in your calendar like you would an important client meeting.

• Let your team or clients know upfront when you’ll be offline.

• Remind yourself: being present with your people isn’t lost productivity—it’s an investment in relationships that matter most.

Here’s the gentle reminder many entrepreneurs need: rest is not wasted time. Stepping back allows you to return sharper, more creative, and more energized. A burned-out business owner can’t serve clients or lead well—but a refreshed one can take on the new year with clarity and focus.

So, instead of hustling straight through, consider presence your strategy. Give yourself permission to rest, recharge, and reconnect. Your business will thank you for it in January.

One Last Thing

The holidays aren’t just a break from your business—they’re a chance to remind yourself why you started it in the first place: freedom, flexibility, and the ability to live life fully.

Always Remember,  

Build your business in a way that feels good to you.

Katie