Christmas 2012

Create a Post
FrameMakers

FrameMakers

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Posts
7,395
Loc
Powell, OH
Assuming that the world hasn't ended a few days before as the Mayan calendar predicts.

Christmas this year was on Sunday which meant that for most of us we didn't even get an extra day off to make up for all the hard work we put in this last month. Our shop is closed on Sun & Mon so even yesterday was not a bonus day.

Next year Christmas will fall on a Tuesday. We all know that people are procrastinators bringing in last minute projects, and then there are we framers getting the last of them finished in the wee hours of the 23-24.

So my question/ponder is will we need to be open that entire weekend next Christmas?

I love how this holiday where we are supposed to spend time with family & friends doesn't seem to apply to we framers.
 
Since Christmas will be on a Tuesday next year, that means I will be open on Saturday and closed Sunday through Tuesday.

This year I was closed Saturday thru Monday (although I popped by the shop on Sunday to check on Miss Lucy the shop cat and wish her a Merry Christmas).

I am normally closed on Sunday and Monday so this year, pick-up were picked up by the end of Friday and business was fairly slow all week so I gave up thinking about being open on Saturday.
 
I won't be changing our hours next year. We are open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. We'll be closed Christmas Day, but otherwise open on Monday and Wednesday like normal.

Sunday next year will just give me one final day to finish up any work in a calm atmosphere.

This year, I did close the store at about 4pm on Christmas Eve. But I also had a last minute customer come in at 2:50pm needing it framed for Christmas, which I completed and gave to her before leaving. Yesterday, Monday, was a normal day for me. It rained all day but sales were decent. I did give all my employees the day off though. :)
 
We won't be here next Christmas, more on this later.
 
FrameMakers said:
So my question/ponder is will we need to be open that entire weekend next Christmas?
Click to expand...

I sure hope so. Making hay while the sun shines, et al.

Dave, I remember working 14-16 hours a day for 3-4 weeks before Christmas. I would go home to sleep when I started making mistakes, and would return when I was awake. It was a zombie existance, but it also accounted for 30-40% of my annual income.
The week after Christmas was also very strong for us, so we worked a full week. I normally took off a week in mid January to regroup.
 
FrameMakers said:
...So my question/ponder is will we need to be open that entire weekend next Christmas?
Click to expand...
Isn't it a bit early to ponder that question? Today my answer would be "I hope so". I hope we are all so fortunate that we have both the need and the enthusiasm to work that weekend. By mid-December next year, most of us would have better indications about that.

...I love how this holiday where we are supposed to spend time with family & friends doesn't seem to apply to we framers.
Click to expand...
One of the benefits of operating our own businesses is that we get to decide how we do it. When the volume of available work exceeds our desire to serve customers and earn income, I guess we know what to do about that.

It is important for us to decide our own limits. Customers who are also friends or family might deserve special consideration, but most customers are only marginally loyal, if at all. We owe all of them our best work, of course, but when ability or enjoyment of working diminishes, then it's time to consider our limitations.

Our priorities change over time.
 
I'd suggest stocking up on some popular mouldings and taking orders through Saturday, with a rush fee. Then stay open on Sunday while assembling them, assuming this doesn't impact your travel plans. Use the rush fees to buy something nice for your store or yourself or both. This year we had enough rush fee income to more than pay for a really nice camera.
 
I always close 4 days to enjoy Christmas. I'm closed today and tomorrow.

I'm the boss.
 
I'd say that if I were thinking about opening on Sundays the only Sunday I would definitely be open would be the Sunday before XMas.With XMas on a Tuesday then yep, I would be open that Sunday. If XMas was on Thursday, Friday or Saturday Then I would be thinking hard about giving that Sunday prior a pass... But Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday is a pretty solid definitely open...
 
Jim Miller said:
One of the benefits of operating our own businesses is that we get to decide how we do it. When the volume of available work exceeds our desire to serve customers and earn income, I guess we know what to do about that.

It is important for us to decide our own limits. Customers who are also friends or family might deserve special consideration, but most customers are only marginally loyal, if at all. We owe all of them our best work, of course, but when ability or enjoyment of working diminishes, then it's time to consider our limitations.

Our priorities change over time.
Click to expand...

What Jim said. Basically it comes down to asking yourself, "do you want more money" or "do you want more time with your family". If the income in that time is crucial to you how about creating another time to celebrate? Maybe the week after Christmas. Just a thought.
 
Hours

Sat normal sun closed mon normal Christmas eve 9-4 close early closed Christmas & closed wed day after.
 
Jim Miller said:
Isn't it a bit early to ponder that question? Today my answer would be "I hope so". I hope we are all so fortunate that we have both the need and the enthusiasm to work that weekend. By mid-December next year, most of us would have better indications about that.
Click to expand...

I'm with Jim....it's way too early to start stewing about Christmas 2012. (Heck, the dust hasn't even settled yet, why the angst?)

Enjoy the moment.....ride the wave....contemplate the significance of the season and what we have just celebrated.

Here's wishing all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
 
I thought about that already; and realize that I really don't need to plan or know right now.

As small business owners; we can go with the flow. If I'm extremely busy next December; I will stay open for as long as I need to.
This past Saturday; I was in the shop until 4; no new orders, but lots of pick ups and happy faces.

I closed the store Monday through Wednesday....I felt I needed to spend time with my family; especially since hubby took some time off as well and that almost never happens when you both have your own business.
 
I'm just going to play it by ear...this year and last year didn't work out the way I planned so I'm guessing next year won't either. It's just to early to worry about it, after all we just kind of got done with this year's holiday rush. :shrug:
 
Create a Post
Back
Top