What If You Slowed Down This Christmas-and Sold More?

Every year, the lead up to Christmas seems to start a little earlier-and get a little busier.

For home-based cookie decorators, it's the season of late nights, full ovens, and inboxes that never stop pinging.

But what if this year could feel different?

What if instead of racing through the busiest time of year, you planned it in a way that felt calmer, more creative, and actually profitable?

This season, I want to invite you to approach your Christmas cookie business differently-with more intention, less overwhelm, and a clear sense of your worth.

Skip ahead to:

• Start With Self-Care and Boundaries

• Price With Confidence (and Self-Respect)

• Plan Cookie Packs and Set Menus

• Create a Realistic Production Schedule

• Simplify Your Marketing

  
  

Start With Self-Care and Boundaries

Christmas can be magical but it can also drain every bit of energy you have left if you let it.

Before your start mixing dough, take time to define your boundaries.

Ask yourself:

• How many orders can I realistically handle?

• When will I stop taking bookings?

• Do I need rest days?

Remember: you are your businesses greatest asset. Protecting your time, energy, and creativity isn't selfish-it's sustainable. When you're rested, your creativity thrives, and your clients receive your best work.

Price With Confidence (and Self-Respect)

One of the biggest mistakes decorators make is undervaluing their time.

Christmas work often means long hours, rush orders, and last minute changes-so your pricing should reflect that.

This year, review your pricing with clarity:

• Include your full time investment, not just baking and decorating

• Add seasonal margins for limited edition designs or premium packaging.

• Don't apologise for pricing your worth-people aren't just buying cookies: they're buying your artistry, reliability, and the magic of something handmade.

When you price properly, you create space for better clients-the one's who value what you do.

Plan Cookie Packs and set Menus

Custom equals chaos at this time of year. If you absolutely must-keep custom orders to a minimum during busy periods such as Christmas.

I recommend creating curated, planned packs or set designs that you can scale for the season.

If you are working to my Cookie Decorator's Master Planner than you will already know who your customer is, what they are looking for and how much they expect to pay.

I'll include a link to the latest market research for you at the end of this blog. I cannot stress enough how knowing who your client is, is the key to success at this time of year.

Targeted, intentional baking that responds to the markets needs will save you time, money and endless hours of creating something that maybe "only you can love".

Choose one or two key themes-something that feels cohesive, like a Nordic Christmas, Winter Botanical or Festive Vintage style.

Design within that theme so your work looks unified, your photography sings and your customers can easily say "I'll take that one"

A cohesive theme doesn't limit creativity-it amplifies it.

It helps your brand look polished and professional, makes batching and production smoother and translates directly to sales.

Create a Realistic Production Schedule

A smart decorator plans like a chef-in batches.

Map out what needs to happen each week from now until Christmas:

• Which cutters and stamps will you use?

• When will dough and fondant prep happen?

• What days are purely for packaging and posting?

Having a clear plan means less chaos and fewer late nights.

And is something unexpected happens (because it always does), you'll have the structure to adapt without panic.

Simplify Your Marketing

Your client's don't need 20 different products to choose from. They need a few beautifully presented options they can understand at a glance.

Simplify your marketing this season:

• Use the same theme across your photos, packaging and social media.

• Schedule a few strategic posts and emails in advance.

• Reuse your content-a decorating video can become a reel, a post, a story series or email.

Consistency is far more powerful than volume.

Focus on Joy and Connection

Behind every Christmas order is someone who wants to give joy. Whether that's a mother gifting teachers, a friend surprising a neighbour, a business saying thank you.

When you slow down and reconnect with that purpose, your creativity shifts.

You move from production mode to meaning-making mode and that shows in every cookie you create.

In Short....

This Christmas, lets do things differently.

Let's design with purpose, price with confidence, and work from a place of calm, not chaos.

Your creativity deserves to flourish, not just survive during the busiest season of the year.

Vintage Sugarcraft by Catherine

Inspiring cookie decorators to slow down, plan intentionally, and create beautifully-one design at a time.

Check out the latest Australian Market Research for Christmas 2025.