Every year, coaches and service-based entrepreneurs hit the same challenge around November: clients get busy, routines fall apart, and sales slow down.
If you’ve ever watched your calendar empty just as your bills and holiday expenses stack up, you know that sinking feeling.
But what if you could turn that slow season into a new source of connection, visibility, and income? That’s exactly what happened to me in 2018 when I accidentally created my first holiday coaching program.
What’s ahead….
The Story Behind My Holiday Program
It was mid-November, 2018. I was running my health and fitness coaching business and had just gone full-time after getting fired from my job (that’s another post altogether!)
I was feeling confident and excited, until all of my clients’ monthly packages came up for renewal at the same time.
One by one, almost all of them they told me they wanted to pause for December. They said they were too busy with travel, parties, and family visiting. All but one decided to take the month off.
I remember sitting at my kitchen table staring at my client list, realizing my income was about to drop to almost nothing during the month I needed it most.
In all the courses I’d taken, no one had ever covered “what to do when every client cancels right before Christmas.”
I panicked at first. But then I started reading back through the messages my clients sent me. I noticed something.
They weren’t leaving because they didn’t care or couldn’t afford it… they were overwhelmed. They thought working on their health during the holidays would mean missing out on food, family time, and fun.
That was my lightbulb moment.
What if I created something that helped them stay active and manage stress during the holidays—without guilt, strict rules, or giving up joy?
So I sent a message to my client list that said something like:
“Hey, if I put together a 30-day holiday program that helps you stay active, manage your stress, and prioritize self-care while still enjoying all your holiday events and family time, would you be interested?”
The responses came in fast:
“Yes, please.”
“That’s exactly what I need right now.”
“As long as it’s not a diet thing, I’m in.”
And that’s how my first holiday program, “Avoid the Holiday Hangover,” was born.
It wasn’t perfect. It was scrappy, simple, and low-tech. But it worked. That single pivot saved my business and turned December from a dead month into one of my most profitable seasons.
Why Holiday Coaching Programs Work: The Stats Don’t Lie
The holidays are a unique time of year. Your clients are stressed, distracted, and craving support, but not the kind that asks for a big commitment. Research shows that the majority of people struggle to maintain healthy habits this time of year, even those who are highly motivated the rest of the year!
Here are a few stats that put it in perspective:
- 79% of people say they overlook their health needs during the holidays, and nearly two-thirds report that the season is more stressful than tax time.
Source: American Heart Association, 2023 (newsroom.heart.org) - 66% of Americans admit they overindulge in food during the holidays, 45% say they take a break from exercise, and more than half report feeling tired and short on personal time.
Source: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 2023 (wexnermedical.osu.edu) - Nearly 40% of adults worry about how much they eat over the holidays and admit to using extreme or unsustainable “detox” or fasting methods afterward.
Source: Orlando Health, 2023 (eurekalert.org) - Eight out of ten people say that the expectations, events, and social pressures around the holidays significantly increase their stress levels, which makes healthy routines harder to maintain.
Source: ISM Inc., 2023 (isminc.com)
These numbers show why so many clients struggle to stay consistent, and why creating a short, flexible, and supportive program can make such a difference.
A well-designed holiday coaching offer isn’t about demanding perfection or restriction. It’s about helping your audience stay grounded, supported, and confident during one of the busiest times of the year.
A well-designed holiday program gives them:
- A sense of connection and community during a busy season
- Accountability without overwhelm
- Permission to care for themselves while still enjoying the season
And it gives you:
- Steady revenue when others are struggling
- A way to stay top of mind during the slowest part of the year
- A list of warm, engaged buyers ready for your New Year program
5 Holiday Offer Ideas
Wait… does it have to be a coaching program? What if that’s not what your audience wants?
Good news… there are a few ways you can adapt this strategy to fit your business and what your audience is asking for:
- A Holiday Challenge: A 10–30 day mini program focused on daily action. Perfect for fitness, wellness, or productivity coaches.
- An Accountability Group: A small group that checks in weekly through email or chat to stay consistent and mindful through the holidays.
- A Private Podcast Series: A series of short, bite-sized episodes clients can listen to while traveling or cooking.
- A Low-Ticket Workshop: Teach one strategy or system clients can use to stay focused and organized through the holiday chaos.
- A 1:1 Strategy Session: Offer a single deep-dive session to help clients create a personalized plan for the holidays that fits their life.
The goal isn’t to create a huge new offer. It’s to meet your audience where they are, help them solve one specific problem, and keep your business visible during the season when most coaches go quiet.
Why Low-Tech Works Best
When I ran my first holiday program, I didn’t use any new software or platforms. I used PayPal for payments, Google Docs for materials, and email to deliver daily check-ins.
It was fast, simple, and effective.
Low-tech delivery works because:
- It’s faster to launch, you can sell it this week!
- It’s easier for your clients, no new apps to learn or logins to remember
- It’s more personal, your clients feel connected to you, not your automations.
If you already have a course or membership platform, great – you can use that! But don’t let tech stop you from creating something valuable right now.
Do You Actually Need a Holiday Offer?
If you’ve read my story above, you already know that my first holiday offer came out of necessity. But before you dive into creating your own, it’s worth asking whether a holiday program actually makes sense for your business this year.
The best way to find out is not by guessing, but by asking your audience directly.
A short, simple feedback exercise can tell you exactly what they need right now—and whether they’re interested enough to buy.
This is the same “litmus test” I use with my clients before they spend time or energy building new offers.
Step 1: Ask a Few Simple Questions
Skip the complicated surveys and start with something easy. Ask questions like:
• “What’s the hardest part about taking care of yourself during the holidays?”
• “When you think about the holidays, what feels heavy or stressful around your health or self-care?”
• “What usually gets pushed aside when things get busy in December?”
• “What would actually feel easier or more supportive this season?”
You can ask these questions on Instagram stories, in a Facebook group, through a quick email to your list, or even in one-on-one conversations.
Step 2: Score the Responses
Once the answers start coming in, look for how many people respond and how emotional or specific their answers are.
| Response Type | What It Tells You | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional, specific, repeated themes | Strong demand | +2 |
| A few mentions, some interest | Mild demand | +1 |
| Crickets or vague answers | No clear demand | 0 |
Add up your points:
• 5+ = Green light for a holiday offer
• 2–4 = Yellow light; test a smaller version or refine your idea
• 0–1 = Red light; skip it this year and focus on January
Step 3: Identify the Pattern
Sort your responses into categories. Here are a few common examples:
| Category | Example Responses |
|---|---|
| Time | “I’m too busy.” “Travel messes up my routine.” |
| Energy | “I lose motivation.” “I’m just tired.” |
| Food and Guilt | “I overdo it at parties.” “I feel off track.” |
| Boundaries | “Family stress throws everything off.” |
These patterns show you what kind of help your audience is craving most—and that’s the angle your program should focus on.
Step 4: Decide
If the response is strong, go all in with a short holiday challenge, workshop, or mini program.
If it’s mixed, test a lighter or lower-commitment offer.
If it’s weak, hold off for now and redirect your energy toward the new year.
This process keeps you from wasting time and ensures every offer you create is built on data, not guesswork.
Bonus: Warm Your Audience While You Test
As you collect feedback, you can start naturally warming your audience by mentioning that you’re working on something to help.
Example DM reply:
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. I’m actually putting together something simple to make that easier during the holidays.”
Example post:
“So many of you mentioned feeling [insert theme]. I’ve got an idea coming that’s going to help.”
Even before you’ve created your program, this approach builds anticipation and interest.
Why This Works
This quick exercise does two important things. It saves you time if a holiday offer isn’t the right fit, and it gives you clarity and audience-driven language if it is.
It’s the same process that helped me turn a potential slow season into a profitable, repeatable offer—and it can do the same for you.
If your audience’s responses point to a clear need, join me for my Holiday Pivot Playbook Mini Magic Workshop where I’ll show you how to turn those insights into a sellable, low-stress seasonal offer.
You’ll learn how to:
• Map your offer using my P.I.V.O.T. framework
• Plan your launch timeline
• Add upsells and future credits for repeat buyers
• Launch with low-tech tools you already have
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Offers
Do I really need a holiday program?
Not necessarily. That’s why I recommend starting with the simple litmus test above. If your audience shows real interest when you ask what’s feeling heavy or stressful this season, that’s your signal that a holiday offer could do well. If they don’t, it’s better to save your energy for January and use the insights you’ve gathered for your next launch.
Will a holiday program replace my regular coaching offer?
No. The goal isn’t to replace your main program but to create a short-term offer that fits the season. It gives your clients an alternative during the holidays while keeping them connected and engaged. Many coaches find that this low-ticket program becomes a great entry point that leads to higher-ticket sales in the new year.
Do I need any new tech or software to launch it?
Not at all. In fact, low-tech delivery is often the smartest way to move quickly. When I launched my first holiday program, I used a Google Doc, my existing email list, and a simple payment link. You can run your offer entirely through email or a private group if you’d like. If you already use a course or membership platform, great—use what you have.
What kind of holiday programs work best?
The most successful offers are simple and specific. Some examples include:
• A short accountability or self-care challenge
• A holiday-themed mini course or workshop
• A private podcast series or email-based program
• A small group support program focused on stress management or healthy habits
Each one can be adapted to your niche and coaching style.
How long should my program last?
Most holiday programs work best when they’re short and easy to complete—somewhere between two and six weeks. The key is to create something that feels doable during a busy season. The workshop and Toolkit include a timeline planner to help you pick your ideal dates.
What if my audience doesn’t respond?
That’s valuable information too. It tells you that your audience may be more focused on January goals right now. In that case, you can repurpose your research and prep work for a New Year’s challenge, workshop, or paid program instead.
Can I use this strategy outside the holiday season?
Absolutely. The same framework can be applied to other seasonal dips or slow months. Any time your clients’ routines shift—summer vacations, back-to-school, or the new year reset—you can use this same approach to create a short-term, results-focused program that keeps engagement and revenue consistent.
How does this fit into the Holiday Pivot Playbook Workshop?
Inside the workshop, I’ll walk you step-by-step through this process so you can build your own program quickly. You’ll also get the Holiday Offer Planning Toolkit with the templates, calendar, and swipe copy to promote it. If you want to take it further, you can use the optional Customizable Program Kit that includes done-for-you materials to brand and deliver your program fast.
What kind of results can I expect?
Every business is different, but here’s a simple example:
If you sell a $47 offer and enroll 25 participants, that’s $1,175 in revenue.
If you sell a $97 offer and enroll 20 participants, that’s $1,940.
Even a small group can create meaningful income, and these clients often go on to purchase higher-level programs in January.
How do I get started?
Take the litmus test from this post, then join me for the Holiday Pivot Playbook Workshop. You’ll walk away with a complete plan, a promo timeline, and the exact tools to build your program fast, without getting stuck in tech or perfectionism.
Turn Your Idea Into a Holiday Offer
If this resonates, I’m hosting a live workshop where I’ll show you exactly how to:
- Identify your audience’s biggest holiday pain points
- Design a simple, irresistible offer using my P.I.V.O.T. framework
- Create a marketing plan with clear messaging and a promo calendar
- Use your holiday program to generate repeat clients in January
You’ll also get the Holiday Offer Planning Toolkit, which includes:
- A fillable workbook
- A calendar and checklist
- Sample emails and posts
- A low-tech launch guide
If you want to skip the setup and launch quickly, you can grab the optional Holiday Offer Implementation Kit with the done-for-you materials I use in my own programs.
Final Thoughts
The biggest lesson I learned that year was that panic can lead to brilliance when you listen to what your clients are really saying.
That last-minute pivot turned into one of the best programs I ever created. It kept my business afloat that December and gave me a system I could reuse every year in new ways – a challenge, a workshop, or a mini-course.
If you’re tired of watching December slow to a crawl, this is your chance to do something different.
You don’t need a big launch. You just need a smart pivot and a plan that fits your life and your clients’ reality.
Join me for the workshop, get your toolkit, and create your own holiday coaching program that supports your clients, and your business, all season long.