Ah, the holidays... that wonderful time of year when families gather round the fireplace to drink a little eggnog, trim the tree, and enjoy one another's company.

For most of us, the holidays are also a very hectic time of year, especially the 12 days leading up to Christmas. And that's true even if you don't celebrate Christmas because 12 days is very little time to get the word out about your business's holiday promotions via a marketing campaign, and for getting business done in general since many businesses' hours change from December 25 till January 3 or so.

How do you reconcile the high-pressure needs of your small business with your family's desire to roast chestnuts on an open fire? Having a virtual phone service can help. Therefore, we offer up these 12 small-business phone tips till Christmas. Hope they make your season a little brighter.

Tip 1: Use smart call forwarding to carve out a little time for yourself

Small-business owners' time is precious, but during the holidays, it's even more so. With smart call-forwarding, you can— without losing touch—sneak out to do a little extended shopping, trim the tree with the family, or enjoy a holiday lunch. Simply forward your calls to your mobile, home, or other number, and you can answer as if you were in the office.

Tip 2: Record informational messages that answer repetitive questions

Rather than taking time to answer the same questions about which days you'll be working over the holidays or what your business hours will be, record a message, and make it an option on your virtual receptionist.

Doing so is extra helpful for businesses with holiday hours that vary greatly from the norm. Retailers can also use such messages to post updates on the status of hot holiday items.

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