Consistent blogging is difficult for most throughout the year – but year after year it proves to be even more difficult throughout the holiday season! Whether you host the holiday get-togethers at your house or slave away in the someone else’s kitchen- you most likely find yourself with far less “blogging time” than usual.

In hopes of helping you refrain from neglecting your blog this holiday season, we have gathered a few tips that will help you balance blogging and the holidays:

1. Do the ol’ “Scheduled Post” Trick

I am sure that most of you know that you can schedule when a post is to be published on your blog. Taking some extra time before the holiday rush to write a few extra posts will allow you to schedule them during the holiday madness. This is a great way to keep your posting consistent and your readers coming back throughout the season. If you use WordPress, you will find this option at the top right of the “edit post” page. Click the “edit” link next to the date and set the date and time you would like your post to be published. Take a look:

2. Use Affiliate Programs to Provide Incentive

Many people tend to slack on their blogging efforts during the holiday season because it seems there are always “better” things to do! Why not add a little incentive to keep you blogging? Create a post highlighting different products that can be found on Amazon and sign up for an Amazon Affiliates account. When people click through your affiliate links in your blog and buy ANYTHING on Amazon, you will receive a percentage of the sale from Amazon. This is great way to make a little extra cash during the tight-budgeted holiday season and may entice you to keep blogging religiously.

Take a look at one of our friends’ simple, yet effective, post about her favorite makeup kit, which has made her a good amount of Christmas shopping money:

Courtney’s November “Pick”: Benefit’s “Finding Mr. Bright”

3. Look for Guest Bloggers in Advance and Execute

If you haven’t opened your blog up to a guest blogger yet, we challenge you to try it this holiday season! While it may be scary to make your “baby” vulnerable to another person’s thoughts and blogging style, it may be the refreshing drink of water your blog needs. A guest blogger will not only be something new for you, but will also help with the blogging workload throughout this hectic time of the year.

4. Use Your “Free Time” Wisely 

Contrary to the tips stated above, you may find yourself with more free time than usual during the holiday season (especially if you’re a student or work in the education sector). If this is the case, you may want to focus on taking the time build a “bank” of posts that you can turn to when you become busier after January 1.

What will you do in terms of blogging over the next month? Please tell us in the comments!