Christmas in July day 2 — Creating a Christmas Planning Notebook
Today could be a good day to start a simple Christmas notebook.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. A notebook, binder, or even a few pages together is enough.
You can use it later for recipes, gift ideas, shopping lists, decorating notes, or anything else that comes to mind over the next few months.
Having everything in one place makes December feel much less overwhelming.
WEEK 1 — Creating the Atmosphere
Christmas in July day 1 — Starting Early Without Pressure
One of the nicest things about starting Christmas preparation in July is that nothing has to feel rushed.
There’s no pressure to finish anything today. This is really just about beginning slowly and giving yourself more time later on.
You could spend a few minutes thinking about what you want Christmas to feel like this year. Not what you think you should do, but what actually matters to you.
Maybe you want quieter mornings, simpler decorating, more homemade food, or less last-minute shopping.
Starting early gives you space to make those choices calmly.
This year's theme will be A Gentle Christmas in July - Preparing Slowly for Christmas in December
Every year, I tell myself I want Christmas to feel calmer.
I want more time to enjoy it, less rushing, and fewer last-minute decisions. But somehow December always arrives faster than expected, and all the things I hoped to do end up feeling squeezed into a few short weeks.
So this year, I decided to start earlier.
Not to celebrate Christmas in July, but to prepare for it slowly and intentionally while there’s still time.
From July 1st to July 25th, I’ll be sharing a series of daily blog posts focused on gentle Christmas preparation. Nothing overwhelming or unrealistic, just small ideas that can help make the holiday season feel a little calmer later on.
Each week will focus on a different theme.
The first week will be about creating a calm atmosphere and easing into the season slowly.
The second week will focus on kitchen planning, simple recipes, and preparing ahead where possible.
The third week will be centered around handmade projects, gift ideas, wrapping, and practical preparation.
And the final week will focus on traditions, quiet routines, meaningful moments, and simplifying Christmas in a way that feels realistic.
There will also be simple Friday movie nights along the way because preparing for Christmas should still feel enjoyable.
The goal isn’t to create a perfect holiday season. It’s just to start earlier, move slower, and hopefully enjoy December a little more when it arrives.
I’m really glad you’re here.
Goodmorning - still on vacation, start back at work Thursday July 2
Have done errands, got new crown from dentist, ordered online, chores around the house and just relaxed. Rained on/ off most everyday. 1 1/2 hr telework done throughout the week.
Picked up dd's kids Thursday for supper and dropped them off Sunday. pheww.... Friday also had ds' kids so all 4 of them could play together (2 - 6,5 years old and 2 - 5 years old), yikes! I am sooooo tired. DS picked his up for supper Friday night. Saturday was xavier's baseball game at noon, so made sandwiches for the lot as well as ds' family and sis and bil who joined us there. Rained most of the game so ate our lunch in the basement of the very small chalet there. Afterwards sis and bil visited ds' new house and then all came here (except for ds and ddil as she said it was a date night for them ). 4 grandkids + sis and bil slept here.
While here bil got a call from police they had found his uncle dead in his house (neighbor was worried). Uncle has no children and 3 people as reference... the other 2 (other side of family) did not respond (learned later one was getting married and other was at his wedding). Sis says his papers are a mess it will be complicated. So sis left early on Sunday morning. We drove last 2 grandkids home for supper Sunday.. phew! now I need some rest.
SIL sent me my bday gift a beautiful frame 7,5 by 3,5 feet, yikes! DH wasn't sure about it but we found a place... except the wall is green and would look better with white or beige... so more work for him. when it is up I'll put a picture. don't know how long it will take thought.
Today is picking up around the house + 1/2 hour of telework.
My Christmas in July posts will be starting this week July 1st for those interested in following.
Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Weather this week
Goodmorning - vacation for this week and back to work July 2nd (1 provincial and 1 national holiday in there - 24th and 1st)
Routine telework week, evaluation (good) and dinner with cw's paid by boss (once a year).
Saturday was a few housechores but just tired. Saturday night was supper with dh's cousin and his wife at a very nice restaurant - was good. Went to bed aroudn midnight yikes! was still awake by 6:00 am.
Sunday I did a few housechores and worked on some Christmas crafts. Supper was at ds' house - homemade pizza.
Today is a little telework (1/2 an hour just to check if emergencies), folding towels, a little more crafting and this afternoon is errands followed by Xavier's baseball game in town.
Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Weather this week
Goodmorning
Last weekend was my mother's funeral, all went well. Took Friday off work as viewing was Friday 7 pm to 9pm and Saturday 11 to 3pm followed by a ceremony. Lots of people. Had family who lived out of town staying with my sister and brother. After ceremony we had 83 people in all for supper which was held outside at parent's house (we had rented table and chairs and a bathroom - since we now have a renter and we didn't want to go in the house). All went well, temps cooperated and mosquitos only came out as we were leaving. Got home Sunday around 5:30 pm... very tired.
Just want some routine this week.
Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Weather this week
