Let's be real: Q4 is always a sprint. You're the one juggling the holiday rush, closing the year strong, and somehow setting the entire team up for an amazing 2026. Ready to do this and grab a well-deserved break?
Here is your five-step checklist from Clif Family Winery & Farm (because delicious wine and food make everything better).
1. Your Recharge is Non-Negotiable
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Block Your Time (Seriously): Block out your personal vacation days now, don’t let meetings creep into your dedicated holiday time.
- Establish Clear Coverage: Document exactly who manages what in your absence and confirm hand-offs with key internal contacts.
- Set Strong Boundaries: Set that clear, professional Out-of-Office (OOO) message. Trust the systems you put in place and resist the urge to check email constantly. You earned this!
- Delicious Wine and Food: Do you have all the supplies you need once vacation mode is on? Don’t forget to stock your house for wine and snacks for all those gatherings.
- Plan a fun get-away over the holidays! Want to come to Napa? It's a wonderful time of the year to soak in the view and lovely wines. Book an experience at Clif Family.
2. Finalize Gifting & Events: Get Ahead of the Rush
Don't treat gifting as just another task; approach it as a strategic retention and morale booster.
- Order Now, Stand Out: Lock in those corporate gifts before Thanksgiving. Shipping finalized now ensures your thoughtful package is the first to arrive and won't get lost in the December mail chaos. Shop all of Clif Family's Group Gifting Options.
- Gift with Purpose: The modern trend is high-quality, personalized gifts. Look for items that reflect your company's values, such as products from Certified B Corps or purpose-driven small businesses like Clif Family Winery & Farm.
- Book Your Gathering: Lock down all holiday event details. If you have remote team members, consider a Clif Family Virtual Tasting Experience - it's a fun way to toast the team over Zoom.
3. Close the Books: Tidy Transitions
Keep January from becoming a paperwork nightmare by being ruthless about closing out the final quarter.
- Clear the Desk: Submit all outstanding invoices and expenses. Clearing out the inbox now prevents messy financial adjustments in the new year.
- Prep the Data: Don't wait until January 1st! Pull all essential budget recaps and preliminary performance data so leadership has the reports the need instantly.
- Vendor Check-In: Flag any vendor contracts that are up for renewal so you can schedule partner calls and negotiations early Q1.
- Stay Motivated: Need and extra boost to get all the paperwork done? How about snacking on some Clif Family Savory Nut Mixes or a Napa Noir Chocolate Bar or two?
4. Setup 2026: Clear the Runway
Your future self will absolutely thank your current self for this proactive planning.
- Deep Clean the Calendar: Proactively schedule all key Q1 meetings, tentative travel dates and internal planning sessions. A clean calendar prevents immediate overload.
- Book Follow-Ups: Schedule January coffee dates or casual follow-up calls now to ensure you connect with key employees or partners you might miss during the holiday rush.
- Team Treat Incentive: Ease the team back into the office routine with delicious motivation, think of a Clif Family Breakroom Boost or Organic Jam Sampler for a warm welcome back.
5. The Great Purge: Organize Everything
Digital and physical clutter is mental drag. A fresh start requires a deep clean.
- Digital Detox: Archive old email threads and project files into a clear "2025" folder. A clear desktop and inbox are the ultimate fresh start.
- Contact Verification: Check your CRM or contact lists now. Verify all client, vendor and parent info is correct as you head into the new year.
- Physical Reset: Tidy your physical workspace so you return to a calm, manageable environment.
Happy planning! Now go grab that well-deserved vacation time and hoping there is a delicious Clif Family wine in your glass.
If you need an extra hand with wine, food or gifts for your team or you, don't hesitate to reach out to Matt, our Business Concierge at corporate@cliffamily.com.
