The holiday season is here yet again! For small businesses, this time of year can be both exhilarating and exhausting. To help you make sure you don't forget anything, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has put together a handy checklist of all the things you need to do to get your small business ready for the holidays.

1. Deck the Halls

Printleaf notes that an excellent way to spread holiday cheer is by dressing up your storefront with festive decor. Not only will this help get your customers into the holiday spirit, but it will also make your business more visible to passersby. If you're not sure where to start, take a look at some of the other businesses in your area to see what they're doing. Even if you have a small budget, you can employ string lights, wreaths and signage for a holiday feel.

2. Be Ready for the Rush

You know this is one of the busiest times of year for businesses, so it's important to be prepared for the increased influx of customers. This might mean hiring additional seasonal staff, stocking up on inventory, or extending your hours of operation. Whatever it is, make sure you're ready so that your customers have a positive experience and keep coming back year after year.

3. Have a Gift Guide

If you sell products, now is the ideal time to create a gift guide for your customers. This will make it easy for them to find the perfect present for their loved ones. Be sure to include a mix of items at different price points so that everyone can find something they can afford.

4. Festive Marketing

With all the holiday events and promotions happening, now is also a great time to update your marketing materials. This includes things like your website, social media accounts, and email newsletter. Make sure everything is festive and up-to-date so that your customers know what's going on and how they can take advantage of everything you have to offer.

5. Spread the Word with PDFs

Who doesn't love a good sale? With all the competition during the holidays, it's important to offer promotional deals and discounts that will entice customers to shop at your store instead of someone else's. You can promote these offers by using a PDF editor to make flyers that can be distributed online, in person as print-outs, or via social media. Best of all, you can easily edit PDFs as the weeks go by and your inventory or hours change.

6. Plan to Give Back

The holidays are a time of giving, and businesses can play an important role in giving back to their communities. Enterprise League points out that there are several ways businesses can get involved. One option is to donate products or services to local charities. Another option is to volunteer your time at a local nonprofit organization. You can also make a financial donation to a worthy cause. Whatever method you choose, giving back to the community is a great way to show your holiday spirit.

7. Count on Late Shoppers         

With all the hustle and bustle leading up to the holidays, there are bound to be people who wait until the last minute to do their shopping. To ensure that they don't forget about your business, make sure you're visible in all the places they're likely to look—such as social media, online directories, and Google Maps. You might also want to consider offering express shipping or extended hours so that they can easily get their hands on whatever they need from you at the eleventh hour.

If it seems like this is a lot to consider, don't worry. If you tackle each item on this list one by one, you'll be ready for anything the holiday season throws your way. Just remember to stay calm, have fun, and enjoy all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer.