{"id":1290,"date":"2017-07-08T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2017-07-08T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningahousehold.com\/?p=1290"},"modified":"2019-07-13T05:41:15","modified_gmt":"2019-07-13T09:41:15","slug":"christmas-in-july-tips-on-getting-a-head-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningahousehold.com\/?p=1290","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in July: Tips on Getting a Head Start"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you wish there was less hustle and bustle around the holidays?\u00a0 What if you could have more time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season?\u00a0 We’re here to help with a few “Christmas in July” ideas. \u00a0 Consider doing just a few things in July to get a head start on Christmas and make your season more enjoyable.<\/p>\n

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Christmas in July Tip #1: Update Your Christmas Card List<\/h4>\n

Several family members and friends have moved in the last few months.\u00a0 Take a few minutes to update their new addresses.<\/p>\n

Have you made a few new friends this year?\u00a0 Jot down their names and addresses.\u00a0 When it’s time to send Christmas cards, you’ll be ready to go.\u00a0 You will also have a good estimate for the number of cards you plan to send this year.<\/p>\n

If you need a good system for tracking addresses, use our printable address tracker which keeps track of names, addresses, and cards received and sent.<\/p>\n

\"AddressAddress Tracker<\/a><\/p>\n

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Christmas in July Tip #2:\u00a0 Organize Your Gift Wrapping Paper and Bows<\/h4>\n

July is a great time to organize wrapping paper and bows.\u00a0 These are great projects to work on when it\u2019s raining, or just too hot to go outside.\u00a0 Take inventory of the supplies you have on hand.\u00a0 Make a note of what you need for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n

Be sure to group like items together.\u00a0 If you have gift wrapping paper in the cellar, in a bedroom closet and maybe even some with your Christmas decorations, pull it all together, and find one location.<\/p>\n

We actually have a gift wrapping drawer.\u00a0 It is located in a hutch in our dining room.\u00a0 We keep birthday and Christmas wrapping paper here, along with all of the necessary supplies:<\/p>\n

Tape
\nCurling Ribbon
\nGift Tags
\nScissors
\nColored Pens and Markers
\nGift bags
\nGift tissue for bags<\/p>\n

This system has worked really well for us.\u00a0 When it’s time to wrap a quick gift, we grab our supplies from the drawer and use the dining room table to wrap the gifts.\u00a0 Easy, right?<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are referral links, which means that if you make a purchase, there is no\u00a0extra cost to you, but\u00a0Running A Household <\/em>will receive a commission.<\/p>\n

Christmas in July Tip #3:\u00a0 Make Your Own Gift Tags<\/h4>\n

Use scrapbook paper like this one from American Crafts <\/a>\"\"to make gift tags for your presents.<\/p>\n

Step 1:\u00a0<\/strong> Simply cut a circle, or use a scrapbook tool to punch out the circles, like the Fiskars Circle Lever Punch<\/a>\"\". We love this one because it allows you to make consistent circles and it’s easy to use.\u00a0 Just insert the paper and press down to make a perfect circle.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong>\u00a0 Use a Hole Punch Tool<\/a>\"\" to make a smaller hole.<\/p>\n

Step 3:\u00a0<\/strong> Attach a short piece of Curling Ribbon <\/a>\"\"which can be attached to a present or gift bag.<\/p>\n

Then when it’s time to wrap gifts, just grab a Sharpie Marker<\/a>\"\"and add the “To and From” details.<\/p>\n

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Christmas in July Tip #4:\u00a0 Make a 2020 Calendar<\/h4>\n

A calendar filled with personal pictures is a great Christmas gift for grandparents and relatives.\u00a0 Since it requires gathering pictures for each month, start this project in the summer.<\/p>\n

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  1. Create a computer folder for all of the 2020 calendar pictures.<\/li>\n
  2. Select a store online to create your calendar.\u00a0 We love Walgreens because their calendars are reasonably priced, good quality, and we can pick them up at our local store.<\/li>\n
  3. Upload your photos to the store website.<\/li>\n
  4. Start creating the calendar.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Over the summer, we will pull together the 2020 calendar for January – August.\u00a0 We also use pictures from last Christmas to get the December page set.\u00a0 Then, we just need to do September, October and November.\u00a0 We keep our eyes peeled for the 50-60% off sale day, and order in November.\u00a0 By following these steps, we save a lot of time and money, and can enjoy the holiday season instead of pulling pictures together on December 15th.<\/p>\n

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    Christmas in July Tip #5:\u00a0 Listen Carefully and Start Your List<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Keep your ears peeled for\u00a0hints dropped by family members and friends.\u00a0 Maybe they will point out an item they like.\u00a0 Or, sometimes people will tell you that they wish they had a certain item.\u00a0 Take note, and start a holiday shopping list.\u00a0 This way, you\u2019ll have a few ideas once the holiday season arrives.<\/p>\n

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    Christmas in July Tip #6:\u00a0 Buy a Few Gifts While on Vacation<\/h4>\n

    The holidays will be here before you know it.\u00a0 To make this holiday season a little less stressful, consider buying a gift or two while you are on vacation.<\/p>\n

    Gift Ideas<\/b><\/p>\n

    Whether it\u2019s a gardening basket from your local farmer\u2019s market, or a piece of jewelry from a place by the shore, these unique gifts will be sure to please your friends and relatives.\u00a0 Other ideas include:<\/p>\n

    Art work
    \nGlasses
    \nHandmade soaps
    \nPicture frames
    \nPottery
    \nSpecialty coasters<\/p>\n

    If you have someone who has everything, or who is difficult to shop for, try shopping for them in the summer.\u00a0 You’ll be more relaxed and have a different selection to choose from.\u00a0 Plus, you will avoid last-minute shopping in December.<\/p>\n

    Christmas in July Tip #7:\u00a0 Shop for Gifts On-line During July Sales<\/h4>\n

    We saved the best for last.\u00a0 So much of our time around the holidays is spent shopping.\u00a0 For years, I never started Christmas shopping until the day after Thanksgiving because of the great deals.<\/p>\n

    Now, retailers offer great prices in July. Be sure to check out this one on July 15-16, 2019:<\/p>\n