How Holiday Networking Can Set You Up for Success in 2026
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And no, not just because peppermint hot chocolate is back on the menu and I’m able to wear my favourite holiday earrings on the regular again.
December can be a quiet time for service-based businesses. And coming into the last quarter of the year, it’s easy to get caught up with worry over the quiet season, and miss out on the biggest opportunity of the year.
I’m talking about Holiday Networking.
Holiday events are EVERYWHERE. Fundraisers, community markets, tree lightings, you name it. And they are filled with the exact kind of people you want to meet.
Even if you’re not looking to book clients right now, you can still build relationships, make impressions, and set yourself up for success in the new year (and yes… maybe expense a drink or two while you’re at it 🍸).
Here are five reasons you shouldn’t skip the holiday networking scene this year:
1. People Are in a Holly-Jolly Mood
The holidays bring out the best in people. Whatever it is, maybe the decorations, the festive playlists, or the free appetizers, there’s something about this season that makes everyone a little more open to making new connections.
That means it’s easier to start conversations and build authentic relationships. A casual chat at a local market or industry mixer could turn into a partnership, a client referral, or even a new friendship that supports your business all year long.
💡 Tip: Skip the sales pitch. Instead, ask people what they’re most excited about this season or how their year has been. Business talk flows naturally after that.
2. You’ll Stay Top of Mind Going Into the New Year
December might feel like a slow month, but it’s actually prime planning season. Businesses and organizations are setting their 2026 budgets and making decisions about partnerships, collaborations, and marketing support.
When those conversations happen, who do you think they’ll remember? The person they saw and connected with in person.
💡 Tip: Follow up in January. Send a quick message or email like, “It was great chatting at the holiday event, let’s grab coffee in the new year!”
3. Networking Can Be Fun
Networking can be especially stressful for introverts. Networking often looks like name tags, awkward conversations in line for drinks and trying to fit into the edge of conversations while figuring out how to contribute to them.
Holiday networking? It looks nothing like that. Instead, it can look like:
Chatting over mulled cider at a local pop-up market
Mingling at an after-hours festive event or community fundraiser
Meeting new faces at a holiday luncheon (bonus: great food!)
When you approach it as a chance to connect, not simply to “network”, it feels more fun! And when you’re not feeling awkward or pressured, people are naturally more drawn to that energy.
💡 Tip: Bring a friend or colleague if you’re nervous, or go solo and challenge yourself to meet three new people before you leave.
4. It’s the Perfect Time to Reconnect
I don’t know about you, but I always find myself reflecting on the year in December. This is a great time to reach out to past clients, collaborators or fellow entrepreneurs with a simple ‘happy holidays!’ or ‘hope you had a great year!’
Even if there’s no immediate project in the upcoming months, it keeps the door open and reminds people that you’re still here when they need you.
💡 Tip: If you see someone you know at a holiday event, go say hi. It’s easier to rekindle a connection face-to-face than through DMs.
5. You’ll Start 2026 With Momentum
Most people spend January “getting back into it.” But if you’ve spent December showing up, you’ll already have warm leads and conversations in motion.
💡 Tip: Treat every event as an opportunity, not just for your business, but for your network of contacts.
Local to Nova Scotia?
Holiday networking isn’t just collecting business cards and hoping to leave with a project in hand. (And honestly it never should be.) Just spend time enjoying yourself with other business owners, without pitching yourself every time.
So put on that sparkly outfit, grab your drink (responsibly and expense-ably 😉), and get out there!
And if you’re local to the Halifax Regional Municipality, I’d love for you to join me for my 10th Annual Holiday Lunch for the Self-Employed, my absolute favourite event of the year!
📅 December 12, 2025 at 11:45am
📍 Celtic Corner, Dartmouth
🎟️ Tickets + More Details
It’s a relaxed, festive, laughter-filled afternoon designed for self-employed business owners to connect, share stories, and celebrate the year together.