How To Survive the Q4 Coma (a.k.a. “Let’s Circle Back Season”)

December 22 through January 2.

It’s that weird stretch of time when work technically still exists, but nobody’s fully present. Calendars are mostly empty, inboxes bounce back with “Out of Office” replies, and Slack is quieter than a company all-hands on the Friday before a long weekend.

You’ve entered the Q4 Coma — a weird, timeless space powered by caffeine, cozy swag, and pure muscle memory. But surviving this slow sprint (yes, it’s both) doesn’t have to drain your energy. Here’s how to make it through the most confusing part of the work year with your sanity (mostly) intact.

Ask Yourself: Is This a 2025 Problem…or a 2026 Problem?

The best Q4 survival skill? Radical prioritization. When a task pops up during the holiday haze, pause and ask: does this really need to be tackled right now? Or can it quietly ride the elevator to January…or maybe even July?

Most of the time, the answer is “not urgent.” And that’s okay. You’re not procrastinating—you’re preserving mental energy for the things that actually matter. Strategic delay is still strategy.

Radical prioritization starts with radical comfort. A ceramic mug and comfy joggers help you “strategically delay” in style.

Actually Unplug

Give them a smoother getaway.

We’re not being figurative. Unplug your laptop. Shut the lid. Walk away from your desk like it owes you money.

This time of year, everyone talks about “recharging,” but few people actually do it. The reality is that real productivity requires real rest. Let yourself be unavailable. That blinking cursor will still be there next year.

How to really unplug? Start with sherpa slippers that ground you (literally), and a cocoa kit that tells your brain: we’re out of office.

Embrace Main Character Energy

Dig out the branded blanket from your last swag pack, drape it over your shoulders, and stride into your next Zoom meeting like you own Q4. You didn’t ask for this responsibility, but someone’s gotta be the team MVP when everyone else is offline.

Feeling bold? Announce your new seasonal title: Head of Warmth-Focused Leadership. You deserve the role and the recognition.

You didn’t choose this role—but you will look good in it. Fleece blanket as cape, tumbler in hand, main character energy fully activated.

Open a Doc Called ‘2026 Strategic Vision’

Here’s the move: open a blank Google Doc, title it something bold and visionary, then sit there nodding occasionally with a thoughtful furrow in your brow.

Maybe even drop in a sentence fragment — “Reimagine the future of client experience” — and let it sit there, daring anyone to question your big-picture thinking. Even if the doc stays empty, you’ve planted the seeds of brilliance.

Plot twist: the vision is vibes. Start strong with a premium notebook and pen—even if the page stays mostly blank.

Block a 30-Minute “Alignment Session”

Need a break but don’t want to seem completely offline? Throw a 30-minute “Alignment Session” on your calendar and enjoy a silent coffee break without interruption. No meetings. No emails. Just you, your mug, and the sweet sound of nothing.

It’s not slacking. It’s mindfulness. And honestly, it might be your most productive half hour of the week.

Your calendar says “Alignment Session.” Your desk says candlelit silence.

Gift Yourself the Swag You Sent Everyone Else

You were generous with your holiday gifting — clients got cozy hoodies, team members got premium drinkware, and prospects got a little branded surprise in the mail. Why not you?

Treat yourself to the same swag magic. Whether it’s a custom tumbler, a fleece pullover, or a branded blanket, you deserve to feel appreciated, too. Call it self-care. Or just really great taste.

Don’t forget the MVP (you). Treat yourself to the sherpa jacket, tumbler, and pack you meant to keep in the first place!

Build Something Slightly Ridiculous

Got a few too many branded water bottles stacked up in the corner? Time to get creative. Stack ’em high, step back, and admire your masterpiece: Corporate Modern Art.

Tell coworkers it’s a visual metaphor for vertical integration. Or brand lift. Or Q4 morale. Bonus points if you print a tiny plaque and name it something like “Hydration Tower (2024).”

Corporate Modern Art is real, and it starts with your leftover water bottles. Bonus points if you name your masterpiece.

And Whatever You Do… Don’t Answer That Email

We get it…it’s tempting to clear out your inbox “just this once.” But replying to a non-urgent email during Q4 coma week sets a dangerous precedent. It tells people you're available, which is exactly what you're not trying to be.

Stay strong. Stay silent. Protect the peace you’ve carved out. If someone really needs you, they can wait until January like the rest of the professional world.

Earbuds in. Inbox out. Protect your Q4 peace at all costs.

Need Help With Q4 Gifting?

Whether you’re sending last-minute holiday swag or planning ahead for next year, we’ve got you covered. SwagUp makes it easy to build, personalize, and ship branded packs that delight your team, impress your clients, and make you look like the most prepared person in the office.

Let us help you win the holidays before the scramble even starts.

‍

Get Started Today…

👉 Learn more and get started here.

🎄 Download our 2025 Holiday Catalog!

💬 Want to bring your brand to life in a bold new way? Talk to a Swag Expert.