The holidays are supposed to be a time for rest, reflection, family time, and maybe a little too much dessert! Pass over the mince pies, please.
But for freelancers, things aren’t always that simple.
Without the structure of an employer, many of us struggle to decide whether to keep working or finally switch off. And when you know your time is billable, it’s not always so easy to say no to Christmas work.
So, should freelancers work over the holidays, or is it okay to take a well-earned break?
Let’s look at what most freelancers do, and I’ll also share my usual Christmas break plans. Hint: It’s not what other freelancers do…
Should Freelancers Work Over the Holidays?
There’s no right or wrong answer to the big question. It really depends on your situation.
Choosing to Work
If your clients are working through the holidays, you can either continue working as usual, or let them know you’re off. Typically, most clients go quiet at the end of December, and January is known for being a deadly silent month, but you’ll always be surprised by the one or two that stay online.
I tend to work through the holidays (bar Christmas eve and Christmas Day), as my work volume is usually lower, so it doesn’t feel as stressful. However, I’m one of those people who can’t completely turn off — and this might not be the best route for you.
In my mind, I’d rather have time off later in the year, rather than during Christmas when it’s quiet anyway.
Admin and Time Off
Got no work but want to keep busy? Some freelancers use the quiet season to catch up on admin and plan for the new year.
If you’ve had a busy year, don’t feel guilty for closing your laptop. You need rest to stay sharp. But if you’d rather use the downtime to build momentum or take on a few extra projects, that’s perfectly valid too.
Whatever you choose, the key is to be intentional. Plan what you want December to look like instead of just reacting to client requests!
Burnout should not be on your Christmas list.
Do Contractors Get Holiday Entitlement?
Sadly not.
Freelancers and contractors don’t get paid holiday entitlement like employees do. When you take time off, it’s typically unpaid. This is why many self-employed people (myself included!) struggle to step away.
To make time off possible, factor it into your pricing.
When setting your rates, account for the weeks you won’t be working so you’re not financially penalized for taking a break.
Can You Charge More Over Christmas?
Yes, you can. However, like anything in the freelance world, it’s never that simple.
Urgent Work
If a client needs urgent work during the festive period, that’s premium time. Just like plumbers charge extra for Christmas Day callouts, your time is more valuable when most people are offline.
Scheduled Projects
But if they’re out of office and have said, we don’t need this content until early January, you can’t charge a premium. You should only do this if they need the work ASAP — like a late fee.
If you want to work over the break, be upfront about your holiday rates early on. Likewise, if a client insists on work between Christmas and New Year, let them know your festive availability and pricing before you agree.
The Risk of Higher Fees
You risk losing a good client by not communicating this and slapping them with a higher fee at the end of the month.
Whenever I work over Christmas, I charge my usual rates. This is because I’m choosing to work off my own back, and the work I’m usually doing doesn’t have a deadline for the 25th of December.
Can Clients Force You To Work Over Christmas Holidays?
No. One of the best parts of freelancing is flexibility and control over your own schedule.
Unless you’ve signed a contract stating otherwise, clients can’t demand that you work during the holidays. And it’s extremely rare that a contract will have a Christmas work clause!
That said, communication is key. Let clients know your out-of-office dates well in advance, and give them clear deadlines for deliverables so there are no surprises.
I always let clients know 6 weeks in advance for breaks longer than a week, or 3 weeks in advance for time off shorter than a week.
How To Take Time Off as a Freelancer
Are you considering a few days off at Christmas? That’s the spirit! Load up on hot chocolate and switch your emails off.
Before you ride that out of office high, tick off this checklist:
- Plan ahead. Let clients know your holiday schedule early.
- Automate where you can. Set up auto-replies and schedule social posts.
- Budget for downtime. Save throughout the year to make unpaid breaks stress-free.
I’ve written a whole article about taking time off as a freelancer. If you’re nervous to tell your clients, you’ll find a few extra tips here.
Happy Holidays!
This Christmas, leave the hard work up to Santa. Or don’t.
Whatever you do, make sure you do it because it’s what you want, not just because a client demands it. Happy holidays, and may the season be merry and bright!
Get more advice on The Freelance Balance blog.
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