Why Starting Christmas Planning Now Is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
Christmas in July? Here’s Why I’m Starting Christmas Planning Now (And Why You Might Want To, Too!)
If someone had told me years ago that I’d be thinking about Christmas in July, I probably would have laughed.
After all, it’s summer! There are vacations to enjoy, backyard cookouts to host, and plenty of sunshine left before anyone starts humming Christmas carols.
But over the years, I’ve learned something surprising…
The happiest Christmases aren’t created in December.
They’re created little by little, long before the decorations come out.
Why I’m Starting in July
Every year, I hear the same thing from parents and grandparents:
“I wish I’d started Christmas Planning earlier.”
Not because they wanted to buy more gifts.
Not because they wanted a picture-perfect holiday.
They simply wanted more time to enjoy the moments that matter most.
Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us. Before we know it, calendars fill up, shopping lists grow longer, and we’re trying to remember everything at once.
What if this year could be different?
What if, instead of trying to do everything during the busiest weeks of the year, you only had to do a little each month?
That’s the idea behind this new project.
Welcome to the Getting Ready for Christmas Planner
Beginning this month, I’ll be sharing a brand-new section of my Getting Ready for Christmas Planner with my email subscribers.
Each month from July through December, you’ll receive another set of printable planning pages to add to your binder.
By Christmas, you’ll have a complete planner filled with everything you need to stay organized—from budgeting and gift planning to decorating, holiday meals, traditions, and preserving your favorite memories.
Best of all?
We’ll build it together, one month at a time.
No overwhelm.
No last-minute panic.
Just simple steps that help make Christmas feel a little more peaceful.
What’s Included in the July Pages?
Our first section is all about laying the foundation.
Inside you’ll find:
- A Welcome and Getting Started Guide
- July Christmas Planning Checklist
- Christmas Vision Page to help you focus on what matters most
- Christmas Budget Planner
- Christmas Gift Brainstorm List
- “Holiday Calendar at a Glance “Christmas Memories from Last Year” reflection page
These pages are designed to help you gather your ideas now, while there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the process.
My Favorite Page in the Getting Ready for Christmas Planner
If I had to choose one favorite from the Christmas Planner, it would be the Vision Page.
Before making lists or setting budgets, I think it’s important to ask a simple question:
How do I want Christmas to feel this year?
Maybe your answer is:
peaceful.
joyful.
Maybe it’s slower, simpler, or filled with more time together.
When we start with our priorities instead of our to-do lists, the rest of our Christmas planning becomes much easier.
A Little Christmas Planner Challenge
Here’s my challenge for you this month:
Spend just 15 minutes getting started.
Print the July pages.
Place them in a binder or folder.
Then write down every Christmas idea that pops into your head over the next few weeks.
Gift ideas.
Recipes.
Traditions.
Decorating inspiration.
Vacation plans.
You’ll be amazed at how much less you’ll have to remember later.
Let’s Build This Together
One of the things I’m looking forward to most is sharing this planner with you throughout the rest of the year.
Each month we’ll take another small step together.
By the time December arrives, I hope you’ll not only feel more prepared—I hope you’ll feel more excited to enjoy the season you’ve been planning for.
Because Christmas isn’t about checking every box on a list.
It’s about creating moments that become treasured memories.
And I can’t wait to build this planner with you.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re on my email list, be sure to watch your inbox for the July Getting Ready for Christmas Planner pages. They’ll arrive with everything you need to begin your journey toward a calmer, more joyful Christmas.
Here’s to making this our merriest—and least stressful—Christmas yet!
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