Surviving the christmas shutdown: A guide to staying cash-flow positive over the holidays

For most tradies, December is chaos… right up until it suddenly isn’t. One minute you’re slammed with pre-Christmas jobs, and the next you’re staring down a two-to-four-week industry shutdown where clients disappear, suppliers close, and cash flow slows to a trickle.

The Christmas break is meant to be relaxing, but if your bank account feels tighter than your toolbelt, the holiday stress can hit harder than the heatwave. The good news? With the right planning, you can enjoy the break without worrying about January’s bills.

Here’s how to stay cash-flow positive through the silly season.

1. Invoice BEFORE you knock off, not after

One of the biggest cash-flow killers is sitting on completed jobs and “doing the invoicing later.”

Here’s the rule: if the work is done, the invoice should already be sent.

Before the shutdown:

• Invoice every finished job

• Follow up any overdue invoices

• Request deposits for January bookings

• Offer card payments or direct debit to speed things up

Don’t leave money on the table right before a month with little to no income.

2. Forecast your December-January expenses

Most tradies underestimate the cost of taking time off.

Make a simple list of the essentials you’ll still need to cover during the break:

• Rent or home loan

• Car repayments

• Supplier invoices

• Phone, fuel, subscriptions

• Apprentice wages (if applicable)

• Family holiday spending

• BAS & tax set-asides

Once you total this up, you’ll know exactly how much money you need available before you put down tools.

3. Build a Christmas cash buffer (your January lifesaver)

Aim to have 3–4 weeks of operating costs saved before Christmas. This buffer bridges the gap between:

• When you stop working

• When clients return

• And when new invoices get paid

If that feels impossible this year, start building it slowly; even $200 a week adds up quickly.

4. Don’t forget the BAS trap

January BAS hits hard for tradies who forget it’s coming. The shutdown doesn’t pause the ATO.

To avoid starting the year stressed:

• Put aside your GST and PAYG each week in a separate account

• Keep your bookkeeping up to date before the break

• Avoid dipping into your BAS money for Christmas presents (you’ll pay for it later… literally)

5. Pre-book your January work

New year, new invoices.But only if you lock in the jobs early.

December is the perfect time to:

• Send quotes for January

• Confirm start dates

• Follow up leads before everyone clocks off

• Batch-book jobs so you return to a full calendar

Tradies who don’t pre-book often spend the first two weeks of January scrambling for work.

6. Set your “Back on Deck” plan

Let your clients know:

• What date you’re closed

• What date you’re back

• How to contact you for emergencies

• When you’ll be quoting again

This avoids the January chaos of missed calls, too-late quotes, and impatient clients who move on to someone else.

The wrap-up

Christmas shouldn’t feel like a financial hit. With a bit of planning, you can step into the shutdown feeling relaxed, not stressed, and start the new year with strong cash flow, locked-in jobs, and a clear head.

At Accounting Navigator, we help tradies take control of their cash flow, pricing, tax, and systems so the business works with you, not against you. Check out our Small Business Foundations Course.