The Holiday Rush: How Tariffs Reshape My Inventory and Your Shopping Experience

Most people see the holiday season as the busiest, most exciting time of year for a small brand. And that’s true. But what many don’t see is how tariffs, cash flow, and upfront costs collide to make the holidays the most financially stressful stretch of the calendar for me. Every piece you see in stock in November and December was planned, ordered, and paid for months in advance. And tariffs change that entire equation.

How Tariffs Hit Before You Ever Place an Order

When I import brass, aluminum, or finished components, I pay the factory invoice — but that’s not all. Tariffs are due upfront when goods enter the country. That means before I sell a single unit, I’ve already handed over thousands of dollars to the government just to bring inventory in. Cash that could have gone into buying more stock, testing new designs, or hiring help is tied up instantly.

The Holiday Multiplier Effect

Tariffs sting year-round, but during the holidays the pain multiplies. Why? Because holiday orders are bigger by necessity. If I think I’ll sell 500 grinders in December, I have to order and pay for those 500 in September or October. Add a 25% tariff on top, and suddenly that order feels like 625 units’ worth of cash going out the door — but I only get 500 to sell. That means:

• I can order less: My capital doesn’t stretch as far. Instead of bringing in 500, I might only bring in 350.
• I make less per unit: Sometimes I can raise prices a little, but not always. The holiday market is competitive, and I don’t want to punish loyal customers with sticker shock.
• I carry more risk: If demand slows or shipping delays hit, I’m sitting on expensive inventory that took a bigger bite out of my margins upfront.

Why I Can’t Always Just “Raise the Price”

It’s tempting to say, “Just charge more.” But markets don’t always allow it. If I double the price of an ashtray overnight, I’m out of step with my audience, and I lose trust. I design my products to be premium, but fair. That means during tariff-heavy holiday seasons, I often choose to accept slimmer margins instead of pushing costs directly onto you. It’s not sustainable forever, but it’s honest.

Inventory Stress and Cash Flow Pressure

Here’s the hidden math: tariffs don’t just reduce what I can order — they also reduce flexibility. If a product sells out early in December, I can’t just call the factory and place a quick reorder. By the time it ships, clears customs, and gets hit with tariffs, the season is over. That’s why sell-outs happen. It’s not because I didn’t plan — it’s because tariffs front-load so much cost that I can’t risk overextending.

Quality Still Comes First

Even with all of this pressure, I won’t cut corners. I won’t switch to cheaper materials or sacrifice finishing standards just to widen margins. Luxury cannabis accessories should be built to last. That’s the hill I’m willing to stand on. If it means I order fewer units but stand by every single one, I’ll take that trade every time.

What This Means for You

• Shop earlier: When inventory is gone, it’s gone. Tariffs mean I can’t always refill mid-season.
• Expect transparency: I’ll tell you when something is limited or running low. No games.
• Know the value: If you see my products priced the same as last year, it’s not because costs stayed flat — it’s because I absorbed more of the tariff hit than you did.

Gratitude in the Middle of the Chaos

The holiday rush is stressful, but I’m grateful every year. Grateful that people choose quality over disposable, and grateful that my work ends up wrapped as gifts, shared with friends, and displayed proudly. Tariffs make it harder, yes — but they also remind me why it matters to keep building this brand the right way, even when it’s not the easiest way.

Related Reads

• Shifting production from China to India
• Why chasing the algorithm will kill your business
• Amazon and Etsy are traps for new sellers
• The hidden cost of free shipping

This holiday season, if you see something you love, grab it early. Behind every product is months of planning, and tariffs that make every decision heavier than it should be.