Running a Small Business - December Update 2025

Hi, I'm Susie, the face behind Cards and Crafts by Susie, a small handmade card business based in Australia.

Come along for a behind-the-scenes look at my December studio journey from festive creations and Christmas preparations to the family moments that made this month memorable.

The month began with me creating mugs for the Elf Magic gift table. They weren't absolutely perfect, but I was really pleased with how they turned out, and that's often part of making handmade products, learning and improving with every project.

While working at Lemon Fizz, I also put together a teacher gift display ready for those last-minute Christmas shoppers looking for something thoughtful and unique.

• What I'm learning: Handmade doesn't have to mean perfect. Customers appreciate the care, creativity, and heart that goes into every piece.
• Tip: Seasonal displays help customers find gift ideas quickly and can make your products stand out during busy shopping periods.

As Christmas drew closer, I had lots of fun creating a brand-new Christmas Activity Box. It was originally designed as a prize for Lemon Fizz, but I also photographed it ready to add to my website so more families could enjoy it.

One of the biggest reminders this month came during a business catch-up with my sister. She encouraged me to photograph every new product and every product I had updated before moving on to the next project. It sounds simple, but it's advice I really needed to hear. I made a conscious effort to do exactly that, and now those products are ready to be added to my online store.

• What I'm learning: It's easy to jump straight into the next creative idea, but taking time to photograph and upload products is just as important as making them.
• Tip: Create a simple routine,make it, photograph it, then list it. It keeps your website growing without creating a huge backlog.

Outside the studio, December was just as busy. Both Zach and Kaitie celebrated their birthdays, Christmas arrived in all its festive excitement, and then... we decided Christmas Eve would be the perfect day to move house!

Looking back, it does sound a little crazy, but moving into our new home in Callington has already felt like the right decision. It truly feels like home, and I'm excited to continue building both our family life and my business there.

There were plenty of special moments throughout the month too, watching Charlotte and Kaitie decorate the Christmas tree, seeing the girls dressed up for Elf Magic, celebrating with family, visiting my best friend Kelly, even getting matching heart tattoos together, and recreating a special wedding photo with my husband Ben. These are the moments that remind me there's so much more to life than ticking off a to-do list.

• What I'm learning: A successful business means very little if you don't stop to enjoy the moments happening around it.
• Tip: Take photos throughout the year—not just of your products, but of your journey. Those little memories become part of your story.

So heres some pictures to recap our crazy December!

Charlotte and Kaitie putting up the Christmas tree.

This is the girls at Elf Magic dont they make cute elves?!

Zach and Kaitie's birthdays in December reading their cards that yours truly made them! 

One of my favourite photos or myself and my husband Ben. We have us on our wedding day standing in front of the same kind of cart so I just had to make this photo happen at his work show.

Me and my bestie Kelly in our festive Christmas pjs.

Looking back, December has been a whirlwind of creativity, family celebrations, exciting changes, and new beginnings. It wasn't always calm, and it certainly wasn't quiet, but it was full of moments I'll always remember. As I say goodbye to 2025, I'm feeling incredibly grateful for every customer, every order, every opportunity, and everyone who has supported Cards and Crafts by Susie throughout the year. Here's to everything 2026 has in store, I can't wait to continue sharing the journey with you.

Susie x