(or “What to do around a busy campsite during summer.”)
It feels a little crazy to be talking about pine needles and holiday cheer while you are probably covered in sunscreen or sitting by a campfire. But honestly? The most successful organizers, the ones who actually hit their goals without losing their minds in November, are the ones who embrace the summer of Christmas.
While everyone else is focused on the heat, taking a few minutes now to map out your wreath sale is a total game-changer. It is about being the person who is prepared, rather than the one scrambling to find a supplier two weeks before Thanksgiving. Here is why getting a head start during the “off-season” is the smartest move you can make.
Beat the Season Panic
When it comes to planning a fundraising campaign, timing is not just a detail, it is the whole ballgame. If you wait until the leaves start falling to think about your fundraising campaign strategy, you are already behind. By the time season starts, everyone is fighting for the same delivery dates and volunteer hours. Starting in the summer means you get the first pick of the calendar. You can also spend this time researching what buyers should demand in terms of quality, ensuring you are getting the best products before the rush hits.
Building Real Excitement
Think about how much “noise” there is in December. Everyone is asking for money, and every mailbox is stuffed with flyers. If you start talking about your holiday plans during a sweltering July afternoon, people actually pay attention. It sounds a bit wild to announce a Christmas event in the summer, but that is exactly why it works. It shows you have got your act together, and it gives your supporters something to look forward to before the holiday burnout even begins.
Time for Creativity
A good fundraising campaign marketing plan needs some breathing room. When you are rushed, you usually just do what you did last year. But during these slower summer months, you actually have the mental space to think. You can brainstorm new ways to reach people, like incorporating kid-friendly decorating ideas to make the fundraiser more interactive. This extra time lets you perfect the way you talk about your cause, so when it is finally time to start selling, you have a pitch that feels authentic and polished.
Spread the Word Without the Stress
Having months instead of weeks to handle your marketing makes a massive difference. You can slowly build out your social media posts and design some flyers that do not look rushed. If you are planning to sell at physical locations, you can even start studying display tricks to maximize your profit so your setup looks professional from day one. By getting the word out early, you are planting seeds that will grow into sales once the weather turns cold.
Getting the Team on Board
Let us face it: people are generally in a better mood in the summer. It is a lot easier to recruit a team of volunteers when they are not already overwhelmed by school schedules and end-of-year work deadlines. Rallying your friends and family now means you can build a solid foundation of support. With a team already in place and a clear plan to follow, your holiday fundraisers will feel like a coordinated effort rather than a chaotic one-man show.
Final Thoughts
It might seem a bit early, but with years of experience, we have seen it time and again: the groups that plan in the summer are the ones that celebrate in the winter. By getting a jump on the crowd and unleashing your creativity while the sun is still out, you are setting yourself up for a holiday season that is actually rewarding, and, more importantly, successful.
