Today is Chistmas in July and I am sharing 7 easy ways to plan ahead for Christmas! I will share all the details below to help you get a head start for a relaxing holiday season!

I’m joining many blogging friends to share inspiration for the hoidays to help inspire our readers. We are also sharing ways to help you get ready now with some ideas for the holiday season.

Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse is our host. Thank you Rachel for putting this fun Hop together.

If you are visiting from Cindy’s at DIY Beautify welcome. Cindy has such style and amazing crafting ideas. Her ways to add rustic cozy christmas style is full of information and inspiration.

Why I begin thinking and preparing for Christmas early. Many have opinions about Christmas in July; however, this is the time I begin gathering my thoughts for the season.

I like to prepare early for many reasons, but the reasons are because I want to be able to enjoy the holiday season too. I try to stay ahead of the game.

Also, after the 4th of July I begin to set dates to have fall gatherings in our home too. Friends and family have activities they attend so I begin to plan early to get dates in the calendar. So, I think it’s safe to say I’m a planner.

Many ask how can I think about Christmas when it’s 95 degrees in NJ and 100% humidity? Well, honestly it’s not that hard. Hallmark is sharing Christmas movies as well as GAF so that gets me in the groove.

For the most part I plan lists in my mind. I think about checking for how many gift bags I have available. I’m very serious about my quality of gifts bags and tissue each year.

Believe it or not I also begin making lists and gathering thoughts of my menu and baking too for holiday ideas. I remid myself what did I bake last year? So then I remind myself what didn’t I bake that was missed by my family?

This may truly sound crazy to some in the middle of summer however for me I enjoy planning everything for entertaining during the seasons. It keeps me organized and I rarely stress about any of the work ahead in the upcoming colder months.

Also, many are aware I’m a seasonal crafting lady. It brings me joy and relaxation to get my creative juices flowing. And because of this fact preparing earlier is the best option and that’s why I’m sharing 7 easy ways to plan ahead for Christmas.

As a rule, I begin thinking and buying certain craft supplies for Christmas during July. I mainly purchase items I know get more difficult to find as the seasons move forward.

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Although I’m not a person that changes decorations from year to year, I want to make sure I have everything needed.

Why I Don’t Change Decorations

Why I Use the Same Ornaments for Christmas Trees

I keep the same ornments for decorating our trees because I have a collection of Christopher Radko and ornaments from Poland, etc.

Many of these pieces are also special and dear to our hearts. I have memories of finding these with friends as well as receiving many as gifts.

Last year I didn’t plan the best as far as checking our Christmas tree.

Incidentally, this is a miniscule look at my ornament collection.

We had to buy a new tree at the last minute and almost didn’t have one last year. Isn’t the best situation especially when I host Christmas and Blog. Before the holiday season arrives, it didn’t dawn on me to check our prelit trees. This is a lesson I will never repeat so it even happens to a blogger. A terrible situation I know.

My 7 Easy Ways to Plan Ahead for Christmasc Check the Tree in Advance

Step 1: Make sure the Tree Still Works and Looks Good

Yes this is number one on the list.

If you use a fake prelit tree, make sure it is in working order. Also it’s a great time to make sure the branches are still looking good and aren’t flimsy.

This is also a great time because many tree companies have a great selection of Christmas trees on sale during the late summer months. So it’s the perfect time to make an update and purchase.

I also love having small lit trees around our home in baskets and if you didn’t make any purchases at the end of last year. Early is a great time to find these and get great deals.

Is There Craft Ideas You Will Want to Make for Your Home

Step 2: Decide if You Need Crafting Supplies

This is also the time to plan ahead and stock up on items such as jingle bells, wreath supplies and ornament making supplies. The easy Christmas balls above are made from clear plastic balls which sell quickly see the details for simple idea.

I love decorating with natural elements during this special time of year so remember to shop the yard for branches, pinecones and acorns. Nautre is free and has so much to offer when adding these to our home decor for a comfy feel to welcome family and friends.

Check your local food stores and markets when it comes to making crafts and decorating as I did for the fruit garland for Christmas. It’s amazing the items you see all the time that are perfect additions to home decorating especially, nuts in shells, citrus and even cranberries.

Additionally, are you planning to make handmade gifts for anyone? The summer is a the time to get them put together so there’s no pressure about getting them done when the holiday season is in full swing.

Also, make sure you have enough garlands for the mantle and or stairs. As an example, I made my purchase early for these Afloral real touch garlands because they sell out very quickly. By the way, these are amazing and this is my third batch! This way it’s done, and I have no concerns on missing my chance.

Getting the House Ready for Visitors

Step 3: Is Everything Ready in the Home for Guests

Is the guest bathroom ready? This is a great time to stock up on certain items in advance. Specifially, toiletries, soaps, hand towels, shampoos and candles to make your family and friends feel welcome for their stay.

Do you have enough bedding and blankets? This throw is perfect to snuggle up with hot coccoa and watch my favorite Christmas movie. Summer is a great time for White Sales so it‘s the best time to stock up and get a great price.

It’s also the perfect time to get rooms paint ready for guests too. Adding a fresh coat of paint to a room makes a big difference especially now when we want our homes ready for gatherings.

Additionally, it’s a good time to recover any dining chairs and scotch guard the fabric to help with stains.

Getting Inspiration From Magazines, etc.

Step 4: Need Some New Holiday Inspiration?

It’s a great time to look through magazines, blogs, your favorite decorating books and of course Pinterest and Instagram which are filled with great Christmas ideas.

This is why I am giving you 7 ways to plan ahead for Christmas now. You have time to get your thoughts together about how you will be sharing your home for the Christmas holiday. This wreath is an easy craft project and add character to your home decor and makes a wonderful gift idea.

Adding a New Base to the Bottom of the Tree

Step 5: Add a Different Tree Base this Year

I enjoy using different items as a base for my trees. As an example, over the years I have used baskets, Mercury glass urns and a galvanized tub.

How about building a wooden crate? This is another great item to check off your “to do list” or in my case “honey do list”. There’s plenty of time to check for plans online on Pinterest and YouTube for step by step instructions.

Begin Your Decorating and Purchasing of Wrapping Early

Step 6: Decorate Early and Get Your Wrapping as Soon As it’s Available

Because I’m a blogger and quite frankly love the holiday seasons so much, beginning to decorate early during this time of year makes me happy and excited. So there’s no unhappiness for pulling my seasonal items out early.

This gives me time to enjoy the Christmas season with friends and family. I enjoy having the smells, sights and sounds in our home very early.

Get to the stores such as Home Goods, Michaels and Jo Ann early for wrapping. Or how about purchasing brown biodegradabe paper and add pretty ribbons?

As I said above, I love purchasing pretty gift bags for presents. Home Goods and Jo Ann are my two favorite places to find a great selection every year. Home Goods also has an outstanding selection of tissue paper. Some may say I am a gift bag hoarder I can’t help myself.

Lastly, for my Seventh Idea Make a List for Gift Purchasing

Step 7: List for Gift Purchasing and Now is the Time

It also a great time to gather thoughts and plan ahead for gift giving. Getting a budget in mind so we don’t exceed our limits is important.

As time goes by and we get older in our family less is definialty more with gifts. We are all truly blessed in our family so we keep things simple when it comes to presents. At times they are homemade, baked, silly sweets a family member enjoys or a gift card to a local restaurant.

Getting thoughts about this now relieves tons of stress and keeps us on budget. This way everything needed for the celebrating is complete. And enjoying the gift of being with loved ones happens with no stress.

I hope this post is helpful for 7 easy ways to plan ahead for Christmas. Are you a planner like I am?

Now please hop over to my dear friend CoCo’s from The Crowned Goat to see her beautiful ornament creation.

Fabulous Friday