After Christmas Weirdness

[BadBob]

Since I began selling online, I have sold more in January than in December. I shipped four packages yesterday, and I have another order this morning.

I have never seen the Christmas rush that people talk about. Although this year, I did have a large custom ornament order, that was ordered and shipped well before the "rush."

[kmmcrafts]

That's great to hear you're getting some business. I have several "online friends" that have the same situation and also several that experience that holiday rush.. I think a lot depends on what is being sold and how it's marketed. I had several orders this month but it's mostly carry over from what I didn't have time to get during the rush and they still wanted it even though it was after the holidays. Aside from those type of orders January - March is usually pretty much dead for me with sales and I'm usually pretty okay with that as then it's time to prep for my taxes and usually our coldest months are January and February and it's a nice break after all the craziness, LOL 

 

[BadBob]

I try to prepare for the Christmas rush every year. I just want to make sure I have plenty of packing materials and other supplies on hand. Maybe I should ignore it.

[kmmcrafts]

It's not a bad idea to have some extra supplies on hand, especially if they're supplies you order online and have shipped. Sometimes it can take 5 or more days longer to get your supplies because the mail system etc. is also very busy.. and you never know when something might be backordered.. Like during Covid with the toilet paper, LOL

 

[Wichman]

The rubes are starting to get trained by the larger retailers that inventory starts getting pulled down in December, for annual tax inventory. They are learning that, unless it's a sale or "hot" item, they can wait until after the first of the year. If they have gift money, it's a good time to get things. When I worked at the art publishing business, we'd get orders from retailers starting in early January, part of this bump was getting ready for Valentine's Day.

The local Family dollar store started Valentine's Day items on December 26th, yikes.

[kmmcrafts]

Yeah, and the very next day after Valentines you'll likely see easter things coming out.. It has also gotten earlier as time goes on and I believe part of that is because of the online sales.. I can't put Valentines things out a week before Valentines and expect the customer to purchase and get it shipped on time so the whole shipping thing is an issue.. I feel like online selling somewhat started this earlier thing... stores have to compete with the online and the online selling have to compete with the stores.. For what it's worth, I leave my stuff up all year long in my online store.. I sell quite a lot of ornaments all year long.. especially picks up in June for the whole Christmas in July thing.. 

[BadBob]

It's not Valentine's Day, but the heart-shaped shelves are still selling. I changed the shipping profile to Priority Mail only, which increased the cost by 25-30%. I shipped them priority mail because that was the only box I had that I could fit them into. They are still selling. I have two in stock out of about twenty.

[rjweb]

Bob, can you post a picture of your heart shape shelves, sounds interesting, RJ

[kmmcrafts]

Possibly a nice mother's day gift... if the sales have been more recently..  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I always use to do well with just about any holiday if you gear toward the theme. Mother's day was a big one. Dads use to get short changed I always thought. But I sold alot of the desk watches to them. 

Yes we too would like to see the shelves. 

[rjweb]

Yes on mothers day the women were treated to a fine dinner out, on fathers day a hot dog off the grill, LOL, RJ

[JJB]

On 5/8/2025 at 9:31 PM, rjweb said:

Yes on mothers day the women were treated to a fine dinner out, on fathers day a hot dog off the grill, LOL, RJ

All I want for Father's Day is a hot grill, meat to cook, a cold beer and for everyone to be quiet. Then, I am happy.