The holidays will be here soon! Get ready for Christmas now with 5 simple tips to help you prepare for the season.
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This post was originally published on July 25, 2022. Last updated on July 27, 2024.
Celebrating Christmas in July
Christmas may still be a few months away, but you better believe this Christmas-loving gal is getting excited!
I’ve teamed up with 24 talented bloggers to bring you an incredible collection of holiday ideas.
You won’t want to miss a single post, so be sure to look for all the links at the bottom of this page.
To those who have stopped by from my friend Jennifer’s blog, Cottage on Bunker Hill, welcome!
Whether this is your first visit to MWLS or you’re a frequent reader, I’m so glad you’re here!
I’d love to have you join the MWLS family.
Simply subscribe above to get all the latest posts with home entertaining tips, simple recipes, and season decor sent right to your email inbox.
Table of Contents
5 Simple Ways To Get Ready For Christmas Now
There’s no doubt that getting ready for Christmas can be hectic.
With gifts to buy, wrapping to do, and holiday parties to attend, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle.
So, to help that Christmas to do checklist not feel so overwhelming, I’m sharing 5 simple things you can do now to get ready for the holiday season.
By preparing in advance, you can unwind, savor the magic of the season, and enjoy a stress-free holiday filled with joy and cherished memories when Christmas Day arrives.
Choose A Christmas Color Scheme
As someone who loves being creative, I enjoy updating my decor each year.
But that doesn’t mean you need to buy all new decorations to refresh your home for the holidays.
The first thing you can do to get ready for Christmas now and get ahead is decide on a color scheme.
Not only will this help you create (and stick to) a plan when it’s time to decorate, but it will prevent you from being enticed to buy things that don’t match your theme.
(I’m looking at you Hobby Lobby. Darn you and all of your aisles of Christmas decor!)
If you are looking for a few color scheme ideas to get ahead this holiday season here is some inspiration from Christmases past.
Is there anything more classic than decorating with red and gold for Christmas?
I’ve always loved this timeless color combination and used it to decorate our home for the holidays a few years ago.
Red is my absolute favorite holiday color, and this look is one of my all-time favorites.
Blue, green, and tartan plaid is another cozy holiday theme.
These calming colors will give your home a classic wintry look.
Decorating with red and white for Christmas is a traditional color scheme and another of my favorites.
Incorporate deep red, crisp white, and pops of silver or gold for a festive home filled with nostalgic holiday charm.
Or try something more sophisticated like a green and gold holiday color scheme that combines the warmth of gold with the coolness of green.
Add natural elements like oranges and cinnamon sticks for a rustic Christmas look.
Get Inspired for Festive Decor Ideas
Once you know how you want to decorate for Christmas, begin looking for ideas incorporating those colors for inspiration.
Whether you’re looking for ideas to decorate your Christmas tree or tips to style your front porch.
It’s never too early to get a head start on your design plans!
Love flipping through magazines?
They’re a great place to find inspiring holiday ideas to help with your Christmas planning.
Or, if you prefer to search online, Pinterest is packed with amazing decor and DIY projects.
You can easily find exactly what you’re looking for and save your favorite ideas to try later.
Now is also a great time to organize your Christmas decor.
Take stock of what you have, make a list of things that you would like to purchase or need to be replaced, and donate what you no longer want.
I may or may not already have a few things in my shopping cart and on my wish list for later!
Make Your Shopping List
Don’t wait until Black Friday to start your holiday shopping!
Start preparing for Christmas now by making a list of all the gifts you need to buy this holiday season.
Set a budget, and watch for early sales to help spread the expenses out by getting some of your family and friends crossed off your list.
Or, if you like to give homemade gifts, do a little advanced Christmas prep and get a jump start on those DIYs now.
The more you can cross off your Christmas checklist now, the less stressed you’ll feel with everything on your holiday to do list once the season arrives.
If you don’t know what to get someone like a teacher, neighbor, or coworker, a themed gift basket with homemade food is an easy and affordable idea.
Homemade treats are always a hit!
Fill Christmas tins with goodies like chocolate-covered peanut butter balls or hot cocoa bombs for a special touch.
Stock Up On Wrapping Paper
As you prepare for Christmas don’t forget to stock up on gift wrap.
Then, when you start crossing names off your shopping list you can wrap as you go.
If you know me, you know that wrapping is NOT my forte.
Thankfully I have a very willing (and patient) husband who does most of the hard work when it comes to wrapping presents and Christmas preparations.
I am, however, very skilled at sticking on bows and gift tags.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money on your wrapping this year, stop by my printables library and download a copy of these FREE custom holiday gift tags that you can easily print at home.
Plan Your Christmas Menu
My last tip to get ready for Christmas now is to plan your menu.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or traveling to visit family, it’s helpful to plan your meals ahead of time.
Make a Christmas prep list with the dishes you want to make to stay organized and stress-free.
You can whip up a batch of almond shortbread, or my personal favorite, double chocolate chip peppermint cookies.
And, of course, nothing goes better with cookies than a hot cocoa bar.
Or maybe you’re planning a Christmas party and need more than just sweet treats.
I can help with that too!
Here are a few of my other favorite Christmas recipes:
Holiday Appetizers
- Holiday Hawaiian Cheese Ball
- Cranberry and Feta Spinach Pinwheels
- Crockpot Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
- Cheesy Shrimp Dip
- Crockpot Bourbon Meatballs
Christmas Breakfast or Brunch
- Christmas Morning Quiche
- Festive Fruit Wreath with Dip
- Breakfast Sausage Crescent Rolls
- No Fail Cheesy Has Brown Casserole
- Bacon and Egg Potato Bake
Christmas Dinner Soup and Sandwich Potluck
- Creamy Tortellini Soup with Kielbasa
- Hearty Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Baked Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Chili
- Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder
More Christmas Planning Posts from Midwest Life and Style
If you enjoyed this post with tips to help with your preparations for Christmas you might also enjoy those holiday favorites.
Wrapping Up: How To Get Ready For Christmas Now
I hope this post has inspired you by sharing 5 simple ways you can get ready for Christmas right now.
If you loved this post, don’t forget to pin it so you can remember it when you’re ready to tackle your Christmas planning checklist.
How do you get prepared for the busy holiday season?
Did I miss anything?
I’d love to hear what you do, so leave all of your best tips and tricks in the comments.
More Christmas Ideas and Inspiration from My Friends
Next, go visit my friend Kim at Cottage in the Mitten to see her festive holiday decor ideas.
Then don’t forget to visit all of the bloggers from the Christmas in July hop, linked below.
Enjoy!
Christmas In July Blog Hop
Welcome to our Christmas In July Blog Hop. Be sure to click each link below to follow along on the hop.
The Ponds Farmhouse / Cottage on Bunker Hill / Midwest Life and Style / Cottage in the Mitten / Down Shiloh Road / Bricks N Blooms
Simply 2 Moms / Shiplap & Shells / Peacock Ridge Farm / WM Design House / Thistle Key Lane / White Arrows Home
Pasha is Home / Tater Tots and Jello / Robyn’s French Nest / Chas Crazy Creations / DIY Beautify / Cloches & Lavender
The Crowned Goat / Common Ground / Life At Bella Terra / The Tattered Pew / Design Morsels / Follow the Yellow Brick Home
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Jen,
Such a great post! I love these tips and you are so right. Getting these things figured out will make everything about the Holidays so fun and less stressful. You have such beautiful ideas too!
Thank you, Kristin! The holidays will be here before we know it. Trying to get ahead of the game this year.😉
I’m loving all your great tips for getting organized for Christmas Jen! I know it’s still summer but I am so inspired to start planning for the holidays. Every year I get just a little more organized. Can’t wait to see what you do this year!
Thank you, Kim. Ironically, this post really forced me to get organized too. Now I can’t wait for Christmas!
Jen, you have great tips here. I already have my color scheme all planned out. I love all of the holiday inspirations.
Thank you, Tammy. I can’t wait to see what you do!
So many great tips to plan ahead for Christmas, thank you Jen!!!
Thank you, Heidi. I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I’m a traditional decorator at Christmas and Tartan plaids get me every time. I love all your wonderful ideas and can’t wait to see what you come up with this year. Love your fun vintage sled on your Christmas porch!
Thank you, Debra. I’m always a big fan of plaids too. There’s something about the print that is so cozy and just says Christmas to me. Can’t wait to start decorating this year!
Such great tips Jen for preparing for Christmas early. It allows you a lot of time to enjoy during the holidays. I too love the tartan plaid and red for the holidays.
Thank you, Wendy. I always have good intentions, but truthfully sometimes things still sneak up on me. Hoping I can get a better jump start this year and use some of my own advice!
Oooh! I love these ideas. I love tartan plaid. So much fun hopping with you. Hugs to you, my friend.
Thank you, Renae. I really enjoyed seeing all of the Christmas in July ideas. So much inspiration. My head is swimming and I can’t wait to start decorating!
I love your inspo pics for this Xmas!! Your post came out fantastic!!
Thank you, friend. I can’t wait to see what beautiful new crafts you create this holiday season!
Gorgeous Christmas inspiration and ideas.
I love giving homemade gifts!
Thank you, Cindy. I do too. I always think homemade gifts are the best!
Such great tips, Jen! I love the color scheme you went with last year! Everything is so gorgeous!
xoxo
Thank you, Jen. Can’t wait to decorate this year!
So many good ideas! I love homemade gifts and that is my favorite suggestion. Your home is so pretty and I can’t wait to see what you do this Christmas! Happy hopping with you! pinned!!
Thank you, Kim!
You have beautiful ideas, Jen!! I love how you talked about thinking about a color scheme. That’s always tricky for me because I just love so many things and it’s hard to be cohesive sometimes! Thanks for sharing all of your wisdom today!!
Thank you, Rachel. I hope these tips were helpful. I know what you meant about it is hard to narrow down choices. I love everything!
Jen I loved this post so much! It was SO helpful!!! I am excited to see what you do this year. I think I have a pretty good idea from your inspiration photos. You do Christmas well and I am always inspired. Pinned!
Thank you so much, friend. I can’t wait for the holidays this year. It will be here before we know it!!
I can always use a little more organizing in my life to get ready for the holidays, and you have some excellent tips Jen! Love your gift tags too!
Thank you, Michelle. I’m so glad you like the tags, and I hope the tips help!
Wow, these are fantastic ideas and tips! Thanks for sharing and lovely hopping with you!
Thank you, Chas!
Jen, I have already pinned many things from your post. I cannot wait to make those hot cocoa bombs..yum! love all the photos of your color themed ideas for the holidays. You are so right about thinking this through now. Thanks for sharing and it is so fun blog hopping with you.
Thank you, Mary. I hope you enjoy the cocoa bombs. They were easy and so fun to make. My girls loved them….and I did too! 😉
These are great reminders !!! We have 5 kids so spreading out the expense is definitely something we need to do!
Yes! I only have 2 kids, but lots of nieces and nephews, so there are always more gifts to buy than I think and it adds up quickly if I don’t plan in advance!
Love your tip on choosing a color palette. There’s so much out there it’s a good way to narrow down what you want. Your bedroom with the plaid is so pretty.
Thank you, Andrea. It really is. I’m a visual person and it helps me focus when I’m ready to decorate so I don’t feel so overwhelmed.
These are all such great ideas! Especially choosing a color scheme. Can’t wait to see what you choose to do this year! Pinned to help me remember.
Thank you, Anne. I’m super excited for Christmas this year. I can’t wait to put my own spin on some of the inspiration photos I shared.
Red and tartan plaid have my heart for the holidays!! And when it comes to gift wrap, I grab all throughout the year when I see something that strikes my eye!
Thank you, friend. Yes, stocking up is the way to go! I think I’m set for the next decade!😂
Jen,
All of these ideas are so helpful. I loved the Christmas Tablescape especially and pinned for future reference. Thanks for sharing your talents with us today.
Thank you, Rachel!
Cute, cute CUTE! I love all of your ideas and tips. I was not even remotely thinking about Christmas and now I am getting excited and want to start planning! Pinning so many pretty pictures!
Thanks so much, Amber. Truthfully I’ve been just trying to get to fall, but now I’m super excited for Christmas too. I can’t wait to start decorating.
These are great ideas, Jen. I definitely want to work ahead better this year!
Thank you, Robyn. That is my goal too. Hopefully, we can both make it happen!
Love all the ways you’re getting ready for Christmas, Jen, and your inspiration for this year too! Those candy cane stripes are gorgeous. Planning ahead is the only way we’re able to keep up so these tips and tricks are all super helpful. Big hugs and can’t wait to see what you have in store this year, CoCo
Thank you, CoCo. Yes, planning ahead is such a lifesaver. I always have good intentions but somehow the holidays still sneak up on me. I’m hoping I can do a better job of staying on top of “all the things” this year!
What great ideas for the holidays! I can’t wait for Christmas and see how everyone decorates this year. Love your pretty home Jen! xo
Thank you, Stacy!