How To Set Salon Boundaries During The Holidays (without losing clients)

5 minute read ~

December is the month for boundary pushing. As hairdressers, we face last-minute cancellations, emergency appointment requests, clients over-extended on budgets, asking to be "squeezed in," no-shows because someone forgot to cancel, and the chaotic energy that fills salons throughout the holidays.

I don't know about you, but this leaves me completely exhausted. I somewhat dread December for this reason. So what can we do about it? How do we protect our energy and maintain salon boundaries during the most chaotic month of the year without losing clients or income?

The truth is, setting boundaries during the holidays isn't about being inflexible or uncaring. It's about creating systems that protect both you and your clients from the stress and chaos that comes with poor planning.

Before the Holiday Rush: Setting Up Your Schedule for Success

The key to surviving December is deciding your boundaries well before clients start asking you to break them. Here's how I set myself up:

Decide Your Schedule Early

Well before the holidays hit, I've already decided my schedule and my days off. I communicate this with my clients so they know what to expect and when I'll be working. Then I stick to my schedule and don't book outside of it. This isn't me being rigid, it's me being realistic about what I can handle while still showing up as my best self.

Confirm Appointments in Advance

Since I ask clients to book so far ahead, and know that December turns into a scheduling mess of last-minute events and activities, I confirm appointments a week or two before their scheduled date. I ask two critical questions: Does this date still work for you? Do you still want the same service you originally booked?

That second question has saved me countless times. It happens so often in December when a client decides to skip their highlights and just have a cut to save money. This would leave me with a two-hour gap and no income during that time. When I adjust the appointment in advance, I have time to fill it.

Create a Waitlist Instead of Extending Your Hours

If I can't find a new spot for someone who needs to reschedule, I don't extend my hours. Instead, I add them to a waitlist and let them know they'll be contacted if an appointment opens up.

I don't feel bad about this. When I first booked my December schedule, everyone had an opportunity to secure an appointment. It's unfortunate when they need to cancel, but it shouldn't be my responsibility to extend my workday to accommodate everyone. That approach will leave me drained and unable to enjoy my own holidays.

During the Chaos: Communication Boundaries and Saying No

Once December hits, the requests start rolling in. Here's how I handle them without burning out:

Set Communication Hours (And Stick to Them)

I decide what my work days and work hours are, and I only respond to messages during those hours. For me, this is usually 9am to 6pm. If I receive a message outside those hours, I don't even open it. I let it sit until my working hours the next day and open it when I'm ready to address it.

If I open messages early and don't respond, I run the risk of forgetting about them. This system helps reserve my energy and allows me to focus on my life outside of work. It also trains my clients to respect my communication hours. They quickly learn that a text before 9am won't be answered promptly.

Remember: It's OK to Say No

Just because you're asked to do something doesn't mean you have to do it. There's no harm in asking, but there's real harm in saying yes when you actually want to say no.

To say no, simply be polite and understanding. Offer an alternate solution. Maybe that means seeing another stylist in your salon for an appointment, or waiting an extra week or two. You will not lose all your clients when you say no. You will deplete your energy and quickly become burned out when you don't say no.

For more on this, read my blog Why Is It So Hard to Say No for scripts to help prepare you for the inevitable no.

Managing Holiday Stress: Protecting Your Energy During Appointments

This is hard, I know. When clients come in stressed and busy, it's easy to absorb that energy and start feeling stressed yourself. Here's how I stay calm when others around me are stressed:

Create an Invisible Barrier

Imagine an invisible barrier between you and your client that cannot be penetrated. I visualize my apron as my protective barrier. It sounds simple, but it works.

Step Away When Needed

Separate from your client while their color is processing. Take this time to go outside and breathe fresh air, or catch up on messages in the back room.

If the energy gets too intense, excuse yourself quickly to use the bathroom. Stand with your feet on the ground, eyes closed, arms relaxed at your sides, and take three long, deep breaths. This always grounds me and resets me to start working again.

Have Safe Topics Ready

Think of light conversation topics in advance for when things get heavy. I like asking people about their pets, what traditions they love, whether they've seen any fun movies or shows, or what they're looking forward to in the new year. These are all easy and light to discuss.

After Your Workday: Leave Your Work at Work

Wrap up any remaining tasks before you go home. For me, this is client notes, ordering lists, reviewing the next day's appointments, any remaining messages or communication, and posting and responding on Instagram.

This allows me to leave the day behind and switch my mind to my personal life so I can be present in it.

Limit Your Social Media Hours

I mean Instagram. Try to be on it when needed to engage, post, and respond, but give yourself breaks from scrolling to alleviate the stress.

Take Care of Yourself

Do the things that relax you and bring you joy. This list will be different for all of us, but some basics remain the same:

Sleep: get enough and make it good quality. Hydrate: drink plenty of water, it makes you feel better. Food: eat food that supports your health and makes you feel good.

I love getting outside and walking, reading, watching movies, and doing volunteer shifts at the animal shelter. These are the things that make me feel like me.

The Bottom Line

December is a tough month to be a hairdresser. Remember to set yourself up for success both professionally and personally. This way you'll enjoy your own holidays and be present for the important people in your life.

Setting salon boundaries during the holidays isn't about saying no to your clients, it's about saying yes to yourself so you can continue serving them well, not just in December, but all year long.

About Anny VanDriel

Anny is a salon owner and hairdresser educator who has been teaching pricing strategy and business confidence since 2021. She developed a strategic pricing framework that allowed her to steadily increase her income over 10 years while maintaining client loyalty and reducing her working hours. Through her Pricing Isn't Personal course, she helps hairdressers create sustainable, profitable businesses rooted in self-trust.

Connect with Anny on Instagram @annyvandriel