When are you going to list your holiday items?

[kzannoart]

So, this year I'm thinking about listing my holiday items soon and if they don't sell they should expire soon after Christmas. This way I don't have to deactivate them and I'm not left with a bunch of holiday items in my shop. In the past I have waited to list them closer to black Friday, when I feel the shopping starts.

For me it's mostly holiday themed garlands. What are your thoughts on the timing of listing your holiday themes items? -K

[Former_Member]

I keep holiday items in the shop year round.

Last week I just purchased a beautiful garland that I spotted!

There are some people (like myself) who do holiday shopping all year. I usually have my holiday shopping completed before the end of August.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

What crochetgal said. It doesn't hurt to keep them up all year round. Heck, even some places do "Christmas in July", so you might get some benefit of having them up now.

[michellemach]

Yes, list now! I've sold a few ornaments and cards already. International customers are especially apt to shop early.

[Former_Member]

I also keep holiday items year round and my shop is currently having a Christmas in July sale. It's different for each shop, but I feel that it's beneficial to keep them up, mostly because my holiday items are supplies and supplies sell all year.

In previous years, I've noticed holiday items tend to pick up around September so the season starts really early, especially if your items are made-to-order.

[RayOfLightJewels]

I list in July just in case! I don't mind renewing once then letting them go inactive after January. I do have a few sales in my other shop year round of nativity ornaments.

[Former_Member]

I usually start to relist my beaded ornaments in july and I already get search hits for them.

[TheTangledCat]

I have a second shop where I sell ornaments - I sell them ALL year long. Granted, many early-in-the-year sales have wedding/birthday/1st communion themes, but they ARE glass all ornaments. :)

I do, however have a number of very Christmassy-themed ornaments that I typically only list during the holiday season (Sep-Dec). I let my ornament shop dwindle to about 250 items Jan-Aug...but in Aug/Sep, I have over 400 listings.

If all of your garlands are similar, you may consider having one listing with several variations for different garlands. Then, as the year progresses, you can split that original listing and create multiple listings (with only one design per listing). But that might not be worth the trouble involved. Listings don't cost all that much...

And, last thought - you can't sell what you don't have listed!

[kzannoart]

Thanks for the input. Everyone here is always so helpful.

[TinyFeltHeart]

I've opened my shop recently and I've already started to create my felt holiday items, especially for Christmas and Halloween.
My items are made-to-order, I'm trying to be *prepared* in case of sales. =)

[Former_Member]

How do you all post a notice of Christmas in July or featuring certain items for sale?

[fishcouple]

Some really nice tips! I didn't prepare for last Xmas but plan to design some nice tags. cards and garlands this year. Hopefully I can be ready by the end of September.

Rosemary -- I think you can post your notice in "Shop Announcement" (the space under the banner) thru Shop Setting. Hope this helps! :)

[ninedoorsvintage]

I list mine in August and September and they'll expire by early February. I typically still get sales on holiday items thru January.

[Pennyjanedesigns]

What a jolly interesting thread! Since this is our busiest time of year it's really good to see what others do. I have actively been working towards Christmas from August onwards for the last few years now and usually list around October or later as I still want products to be 'fresh' . I also wait until after Halloween as most stuff seems to be focussed towards this. I am beginning to think there's absolutely no reason why I can't begin to list stuff but PROMOTE from end of October!!!

[Former_Member]

To All you wonderful talented people;
Need advice on how to do a "Christmas in August" sale. How do I change my home page to notify visitors? Anything else I should know?

[LovgrenandDaughter]

To Change the "Shop Announcement" which appears underneath your Banner...
Click on "Your Shop" (top right on banner looks like a shop)
Click on "Shop"
Click on "Shop Settings"

That will take you to where you can change the announcement and Banner etc.

Our first sales for Holiday have come in October. I hope everyone has a great Holiday 2015!!

[FelinesFabricFriends]

I left my Christmas items and winter hats etc in my shop all year. People look at them all the time and last month I sold two Christmas plates and a winter scarf.

[TinyFeltHeart]

I've already started to list something for Halloween and Christmas.
Fingers crossed. :)

[irisbiran]

My items are in the shop all the time.
I might make holidays sales

[PaperBoundLove]

I'll list it in September, I think.
Since the listings have 4 months life-span and I won't have to renew until holiday period is over. :D

[CircusOfCelebrations]

I sold a tree topper the other day. It's an item that sells out every year, so probably someone who didn't want to miss out this year.

[adfabinidaho]

It's good to have them up all year long, I just sold a fleece blanket and the customer said her grandson is going to love it for Christmas!

[xoxocrocheted]

I agree, keep them up all year long! It certainly doesn't hurt, and I often get sales for my reindeer slippers in the summer.

[Former_Member]

I need to get my stuff in order for the end of August.

Marti

[Plektra]

I posted this in another thread too...

People are looking for Xmas items / gifts throughout the year. They like to spread out the costs or they just love that time of the year. I have found Xmas shops on the high street open all year round too.

Earlier this year, in fact in January, I worked on an order for this coming Xmas, in 5 months time. I was shocked, that was incredibly early, but I got reminded that Xmas shopping is good anytime :)