Holiday Market Prep Checklist for Makers

Your step-by-step guide to surviving (and thriving) this holiday season.

The holidays sneak up fast. One minute you're cleaning up from summer markets, the next you're knee-deep in custom orders and peppermint-scented chaos. Whether you're hitting local craft fairs or managing a flood of Etsy orders, getting ahead of the rush makes all the difference. 

Here's a simple checklist to help you prep your production, packaging, and presentation so you can focus on what matters - creating and selling your art (not pulling all-nighters the week before your show). 

1. Production: Make what sells, not what stresses you out

1️⃣ Start early and plan backward.

Look at your market dates or online cut-off deadlines and reverse engineer your timeline. Give yourself a clear finish line for when everything should be done - not just getting started. 

2️⃣ Audit your products.

Pull up your best-sellers and decide what's worth making again. Add one or two festive or limited-edition items if you can - but don't overwhelm yourself. Holiday customers love "special", not "everything you've ever made."

3️⃣ Stock up on materials now.

Order resin, pigments, molds, packaging, and labels before things sell out or shipping slows down. A last-minute supply panic is a creativity and productivity killer. 

4️⃣ Schedule your production days. 

Batch your work. Pour days, finishing days, packaging days, and it you also do content creation - filming days. Keep them separate so you're not juggling ten steps at once. If days is too long then block your calendar out into hours to focus on each task. 

5️⃣ Quality check everything. 

If you wouldn't proudly gift it, don't sell it. Holiday shoppers expect premium, especially when it's handmade. 

2. Packaging: Protect, impress, repeat

Your packaging is the first impression your buyer gets - whether they're unwrapping it at your booth or opening a box from your Etsy shop. 

1️⃣ Keep it branded but simple.

You don't need a huge budget - even a logo sticker, tissue wrap, or tag with your name adds a professional touch. 

2️⃣ Price clearly.

Nothing kills a sale faster than making people guess. Every item should be priced, easy to read, and consistent across your display and online listings. 

3️⃣ Prepare gift-ready options.

Holiday shoppers love "grab-and-go" gifts. Offer small bundles, gift wrapping, or a festive bag for a few extra bucks.

4️⃣ Organize your packing station.

Whether you're boxing up orders or prepping for a market, have everything within arm's reach - tape, tissue, bags, cards, thank-you notes. The faster your process, the calmer your season. 

3. Presentation: Your booth (and brand) are part of the art

This is where all your hard work meets the customer.

1️⃣ Plan your setup. 

Sketch your booth layout or do a test run at home. Use different heights, stands, or risers so your products don't sit flat and get lost in the crowd. 

2️⃣ Keep your signage clean and visible. 

Your brand name should be obvious from across the aisle. Bring extra tags, signs, and business cards - they always go faster than you expect. 

3️⃣ Create an experience. 

Think lighting, music, smell (yes, seriously), and layout. You're not just selling a product; you're selling a vibe. 

4️⃣ Be ready to sell - and connect. 

Have your card reader charged, your cash float ready, and your smile on. People remember good energy. Plus, collect emails or social follows for post-market sales. 

5️⃣ Prep for yourself, too. 

Water, snacks, comfortable shoes, backup chargers, and layers. The little things keep you sane when you've been talking and standing all day. 

Bonus: After the Market

• Jot down what worked (and what didn't).
• Update your online listings with what's left.
• Post a quick "thank you" on socials and tag your favorite shoppers or event hosts.

The key is to keep the momentum going while the holiday energy's still in full swing. 

Final Thought

Holiday markets can be wild - long hours, glitter everywhere, people asking "Did you make this?" for the hundredth time. But with a plan in place, you can actually enjoy it. 

Prep early, package beautifully, present proudly. That's the trifecta for a stress-free (and profitable) season. 

Now go make some magic!