As you move into high gear for the upcoming holidays you may be feeling excitement or anxiety. You may even feel a little scared.

By now you may have gotten so many orders that you wonder if you’ll be able to get them all done in time. Or you may not have gotten any orders and are having that sinking feeling that you’ll be left with cases of gingerbread cookies or cheese shaped like snowmen.

Along with the potential for profits, there is also great potential for stress. Take these ten steps to ensure you emerge from the holiday gift basket season

1. If you don’t have the orders you had hoped for, get busy. Call your old customers, visit the business offices in your community, contact friends and relations who work in corporate environments. Contact the services you use: cleaners, beauty shop, fitness center, church, and so on. Some companies wait until the last minute to decide on their gifts for the holidays.

2. If you’re still buying inventory, order holiday-specific products very sparingly so you don’t get stuck with them in the new year. Then use your green items first for Christmas gift baskets. The red items, if left over, can be used for Valentine gift baskets.

3. Be prepared to refer potential clients to other businesses rather than taking on orders outside of your niche or that exceed more work than you can handle. For last minute out-of-town orders consider referring clients to a designer in the delivery area.

4. Use as many local or nearby sources as possible. Paying high shipping fees to rush an order, or biting your nails while you hope that a shipment arrives in time all add to your anxiety.

5. Take care of your body. Eat sensible foods. Start with breakfast and don’t skip meals. Your body must be strong to withstand the hours and added pressure.

6. Take care of your mind. Avoid getting over-tired. Stop to take a break, a nap or a walk when you begin to feel tired.

7. Enlist the help of your family for decorating your home and doing the family holiday preparation and cooking.

8.  Say “no” to clients who make unreasonable requests and family who make outlandish demands on your time and energy.

9. Make time to laugh, watch a movie and any other stress-relieving activity that will enable you to return to your work rejuvenated.

10. Set a time to end your season and close your business. Even if your business is home based, once you’ve closed your business for the season, stop taking calls and let them go to voice mail.

Make time to be with your friends and family during the holidays. Don’t slip into letting your business rob you of energy and time. This way you’ll be able to prevent undue stress and really enjoy your profits.