7 Easy Ways to Plan Ahead for Christmas

Sharing Easy Ways to Plan Ahead for Christmas

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.

graphic for Christmas in July

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.

some of my ornament collection from Christopher Radko and Poland

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.

balls with vintage images I made easy  way to plan for Christmas

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.

make a list now of craft supplies needed

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.

real touch garland from Afloral

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 its the best time to stock up and get a great price.

purchase winter throws to get ready for Christmas

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.

a pinecone wreath I made to get ready for celebrating stress free

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.

gift tags 7  Easy Ways to Plan Ahead for Christmas

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?

close up of satin ribbon and old ornaments

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.

ornaments with fairy lights

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.

MY SIGNATURE

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PIN FOR PINTEREST

Fabulous Friday

69 thoughts on “7 Easy Ways to Plan Ahead for Christmas

  1. Beautiful inspo and great tips Cindy! This reminded me that my flock tree lights went out and now would be a good time to take off the unlit ones and add new before school starts back (ugh!)

    I always love your creative crafts. So many ideas to pin!

    Happy Christmas in July!

    1. Cindy , Love your ideas for Holiday decorating. The pine cone wreath with copper balls caught my eye but not sure if I would use it for fall or Christmas or with a few changes maybe both! I use pine cones for decorating during both seasons and have quite a collection of all shapes and sizes. Am leaning toward a woodland theme for this Christmas in our kitchen and family room with a more formal look for our living room. I have lots of mercury glass ornaments that I love and would hate not to use them. The amount of Christmas decor we have accumulated after 54 yrs of marriage is quite overwhelming so each year I have to limit what I use and deciding on a theme helps alot. Thanks for your Christmas in July. So much fun.

  2. Cindy,
    I love that you don’t change your ornaments on your tree. I remember so many of these amazing diy projects and that’s because they are so unique. Thanks for sharing your talents with us today.

    1. You’ve got me excited to start thinking about Christmas early! Thanks for the ideas.

  3. Love the way you’re prepping for the holidays, Cindy! I always look forward to the wreaths and ornaments you make each year. They’re really beautiful and inspire me to make some too! Big hugs, CoCo

  4. Cindy, we have a large collection of Christopher Radio ornaments and glass ones from Poland, so I completely understand why you want to use them every year. Thanks for all the great tips on being organized this season and I look forward to the crafts you create each year! Happy hopping with you.

  5. These are such great tips, Cindy! We both decorate our family tree with the same treasured ornaments year after year. It’s like taking a walk down memory lane! Pinned!

  6. Hi Cindy!

    I loved all of your ideas! I also love your treasured ornaments and that you use them each year and they are meaningful. So fun to be on this hop with you!

  7. Some really great tips here for planning early for the season! I started making a note in my phone of gift ideas which is so helpful, especially when it starts to get crazy!

  8. Cindy I remember the tree debacle last year and you made it work like you always do. Thank you for your tips this year they definitely are so helpful. Pinned!

  9. I love these tips and ideas, Cindy. It was so much fun hopping with you this week. Hugs to you.

  10. We use many of the same ornaments that we have had for years and years. I’m a sentimental soul, and always find a way to work them in. Great tips Cindy. You have a lot of suggestions I haven’t thought of, so thank you!

  11. I just love your tips for planning Christmas ahead Cindy. I almost always use the same ornaments every year. I just change up which ones I use together on the same tree.

  12. Great tips Cindy! I love using the special ornaments collected over the years on the family tree. Love those stocking of your’s.

  13. Cindy you are super organized; I need some help in that dept. Love your wonderful mercury glass ornaments and that wonderful pinecone wreath!

  14. Loved all your tips to start thinking about Christmas prep in July! I’ve already started shopping and will begin working on Christmas crafts this month!

  15. Hi Cindy – Thanks so much for sharing this with The Fabulous Friday Link Party. We are featuring this post on Friday. Congratulations.

  16. I love Christmas, especially as my 2 year old might understand it a little this year. Great tips. For me, I bought the wrong sized tree base last year so that’s in the list to sort out.

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