Christmas in July. Yes, Really! | Sandi Parkey, Pink Zebra Independent Consultant

It’s hot out there! No, really…it’s hot. What better time for taking stock of your Christmas decor than a hot July day?

No, I’m not kidding. You want to soak up the air-conditioned coolness of your house, so why not be a little productive at the same time?

Take advantage of the Hallmark Channel’s lineup of Christmas in July movies and take a good look at your holiday supplies. Read on for some tips on getting started!

Why Now?

OK, so before we dive in, you may wonder why we’re even thinking about Christmas in the middle of the year. I have a simple answer—it’s because it will save you headaches and stress later!

Whether you’re a before-Thanksgiving decorator or a never-until-after-Thanksgiving advocate, whenever you prepare to bring out your holiday decor, odds are that you’re a little overwhelmed by it all.

By the time you open up your plastic totes of decor, it’s time to deck the halls. There’s really no time to consider what you have and what you need…or what you need to get rid of.

Start here:

Haul Out the Goodies

Open up the storage closet and take stock of what you have. Look at everything holiday-related, including your interior decor, your outdoor lights and decorations, your stockpile of gifts, and even your wrapping supplies.

Do you even like the stuff you have? Is there something you have too much of? What about an item you need more of? Make yourself a list.

Don’t Put It Back Away

When you’re done considering what you have, don’t simply pile it all back into the storage bins. If it’s unusable or unwanted, toss it or give it away!

If you have enough stuff that you simply don’t like or don’t need, have your friends do a similar cleanout, then swap to fill in the gaps in what you need.

Start Perusing the Ads & Sales

It’s a whole lot easier to shop for Christmas decor and supplies if you don’t feel rushed. Keep an eye out for sales, both in town and online, that can help you even out your decor or your wrapping paper stock.

By the time the holiday season actually rolls around, you should be amply stocked up and ready to enjoy the season, stress-free.

Scents can make or break a season! Ready to add to your supplies? Check out the catalog of my current offerings.