Balancing Family, Business, and the Holidays

Remembering Holidays Growing Up: Simple Gifts and Family Focus

One of the joys of recording this episode with Tom, Shirley, Kim, and Don was listening to their memories of childhood Mother’s Days. There’s something uniquely charming about those old-school celebrations—when gifts were handmade and heartfelt, crafted at school or the kitchen table. No fancy gadgets or expensive surprises—just simple drawings, perhaps a homemade card, and always a home-cooked meal, usually led by the older sisters.

Don’s story struck a chord: “Mother was never seemed to be spoiled too much till later on.” In a household where every penny counted (especially when hourly wages hovered around 75 cents for detasseling corn!), even a $3 gift meant months of scrimping. The emphasis was on presence, not presents—on gathering to eat, playing some baseball or horseshoes in the yard, and genuinely making it “Mom’s Day,” even if she did still end up doing some of the work herself.

Kim’s recollection of going out for breakfast after church seemed downright luxurious—just one meal Mom didn’t have to prepare! But whether it was a backyard croquet game, grilling burgers, or just being together, the recurring theme was clear: it’s the togetherness, not the trappings, that make the memories.

Running Businesses Through the Holidays: Preparation, Pressure, and Planning

Fast-forward to adulthood, and holidays mean high stakes for those of us in retail, food service, or seasonal industries. As we discussed on the podcast, for family business owners, holidays aren’t about slowing down—they’re often about ramping up. You’re juggling a surge of customers, trying to keep the store looking sharp, and making sure the products everyone suddenly wants (thanks to a commercial, not a TikTok trend back then!) are actually on your shelves.

Tom said it best: “You’ve got to take care of the business if you’re going to be successful... but you still gotta have a family life.” For our family, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the peak summer months were all-hands-on-deck affairs. We planned ahead—buying inventory, prepping displays, and, yes, trusting the right people to run the shop if we needed to step away for an hour or two.

One thing that was universal among all our guests: holidays brought a different kind of energy. Kim absolutely loved working Christmas week at the grocery store or Dairy Queen. “The energy in your business is so much different on a holiday week. Everybody’s happy, crew, customers. It’s just fun.” Stressful? Sure. But also deeply rewarding.

Making It Work: Family Traditions and Flexible Celebrations

So how did we make all this work? The answer is, we got creative and, above all, flexible. Sometimes that meant celebrating Christmas on the 23rd, still wearing work uniforms around the tree. Sometimes it meant skipping the drive to Iowa and finding a quieter way to mark the occasion. And sometimes it just meant accepting that you can’t do it all at once—and that’s okay.

As Kim advised, “Pick your battles. Don’t be so hung up on the actual date. You can celebrate anytime.” That’s the attitude that kept our family sane. Presents were bought well before Black Friday, and big family meals were planned when everyone could actually make it. In my world, having family members in call-based professions, like nursing, meant flexibility was just a fact of life.

Wisdom for Modern Family Businesses: Support, Communication, and Letting Go of “Perfect”

Building on these stories, here’s my own advice. Before you take the plunge into a business that peaks during the holidays, make sure everyone’s on board. Communicate—early and often. Don’t overthink it, but don’t wing it either. And most of all, lean on your family for support and understanding.

As Shirley said, “Despite all the talk, I do not remember Mom and Dad not being at shows and concerts and that at schools. ... That was again something planned around and scheduled around.” You won’t catch every moment, but with intention and flexibility, you’ll find the right balance for your family and your business.

So as you gear up for your next holiday rush, remember: the perfect day is the one spent together—even if it’s not on the calendar.

Have your own stories or tips for balancing family and business during the holidays? Drop us a note at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!

Make sure to listen to the full episode here,