I dont go away in the summer for longer than a week, so not to get too far behind
I leave it until the winter and say its annual leave, if i go on hols or not.
First 2 weeks of January are not worked, and all customers are made aware of this fact - and i word it as such so that feel that they are getting a payment break.
But you could say due to a death in the family you will be away for a week so regular work will be disrupted, but you will get back to normal asap.