---
Title: "How to Staff Customer Support for the Holiday Season"
Url: "https://computer.io/answers/how-to-staff-customer-support-for-peak-season"
Topic: "Support operations"
Description: "Staff support for peak season: forecast volume, add AI for routine requests, cross-train staff, hire temps early and extend self-service."
---

# What's the best way to staff up customer support for the holiday season?

The best way to staff customer support for the holiday season is to forecast volume from last year's peaks, let an AI agent absorb routine requests such as order status and returns, cross-train internal staff, hire and train seasonal help early, expand self-service content, adjust schedules to peak hours, and set clear response expectations for customers.

## Plan

| When | Action |
|---|---|
| 10 to 12 weeks out | Forecast volume by day and channel |
| 8 weeks | Hire and train seasonal staff |
| 6 weeks | Update help content for returns, shipping, promos |
| 4 weeks | Test AI on holiday intents |
| 2 weeks | Finalize schedules and escalation paths |
| Peak | Daily volume reviews; adjust staffing |
| After | Review what drove contacts |

## Use AI for the spike

Order tracking, delivery dates and returns spike most and are ideal for AI agents connected to order systems.

## FAQ

### How much extra support staff do you need for the holidays?

Base it on last year's peak volume by channel and your target response times.

### Can AI replace seasonal support hires?

It can absorb much of the routine spike, reducing how many temporary staff you need.

### What are the most common holiday support questions?

Order status, shipping deadlines, returns and exchanges, and promotions.

## Related terms

- [How do you provide 24/7 customer support?](https://computer.io/answers/how-to-provide-24-7-customer-support)
- [Customer self-service](https://computer.io/glossary/customer-self-service)

## How Computer helps

- [Customer agent](https://devrev.ai/solutions/customer-agent)

## Further reading

- [Holiday customer support tips](https://devrev.ai/blog/holiday-customer-support-tips)
- [24 7 customer support](https://devrev.ai/blog/24-7-customer-support)