The holidays are fast approaching and for those who work at home, many may have the option of taking extended time off -- a perk to being your own boss. But should you?

When it comes to signing off on your own vacation time, it's a personal decision for which one has to weigh the benefits – and costs.

“You are truly your own boss and truly do manage or try to manage yourself in terms of any kind of away time – whether it's around the holidays or otherwise. It's all part of that process,” said Bill Kahnweiler, associate professor and human resource expert at Georgia State University's Department of Public Management and Policy.

Many other businesses may also slow the gears around December and January, so it may be a win-win to take a couple of weeks of down time. If you do take an extended vacation, be sure to plan ahead and let clients know.

“They [at-home workers] try to match their …demands with their own personal desire to take time off,” Kahnweiler continued, which may mean taking vacation during the off-holiday season if need be. “I think the customer/client needs dictate” vacation time, he added.

Some who are their own boss in the home-office shuffle say they simply can't afford to take more than a day or two off around the holidays. After all, if they don't work, they don't get a paycheck. And if they are in a business that picks up around holiday time, then it’s no time for rest.

“The holiday season is always a very busy time for me and being that it is my own business, I am the go-to person for everything,” said Kristen Ford-Stevens, owner and designer of Cute Beltz.

Ford-Stevens will only be taking off Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

“I don’t mind working because I am doing something I love and believe in. My family doesn’t mind because they know I am working towards a goal,” Ford-Stevens said. “Being your own boss is a much tougher job than working for someone else, it requires a lot more time and dedication because you don’t have the 'scheduled' holidays, where the '9 to 5' individual has the opportunity to take time off, it’s just you.”

That being said, Ford-Stevens thinks everybody needs a break now and then for their mental stability.

“Otherwise, the customer service and product will suffer,” she added.

After all, being able to make your own schedule is a big reason working for one's self is so attractive.

“I usually take time off during the holidays, because my clients usually want that time also to do whatever it is they want to do with their families since school is out. They understand that we have families also,” said Suzy Lee, an educational consultant. “If there is something urgent, we work as a team and there are other members on our team that will possibly help out.”

A key to making sure your business continues without a hitch once you come back from vacation is letting clients, customers and/or employers know ahead of time that you’ll still be there when they need you.

“There has never been any problems with giving them [clients] dates that I am available to see them and other choices,” added Lee. “It's like being busy with other clients. We don't say that we are taking time off. We just offer them the dates that we are available.”