We’re not suggesting you put up your tree and hang the stockings in between barbecues and pool parties (though if you want to, we fully support that decision), but there are a few simple tasks you can tackle in the summer months that will make the busy holiday season so much less hectic. It seems like the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas get busier every year. Between holiday parties, cookie exchanges, Christmas card photo sessions, and last-minute shopping trips, there’s hardly any time to relax and enjoy the season. So we’ve come up with a few simple ways to prepare in the summer so you can spend the holidays enjoying more time with friends and family. Here are ten things you can do right now to make the Christmas season as stress-free as possible. So crank up the A/C, put on your favorite Christmas carols, and get into the pre-holiday spirit. During the summer months, write down all the annual events you know you’ll be attending, and make a list of everyone you’ll need to buy gifts for (don’t forget teachers and coworkers!) so there won’t be any surprises once December arrives. Getting it all down on paper will help you set clear expectations for the season ahead and avoid the last-minute scramble to find a gift for someone you’ve forgotten. A list will also help you identify the things you can take care of right now, like deciding what to buy for the annual white elephant exchange. If you have your heart set on taking your photos during sweater weather, reach out to a photographer now to reserve a date before they fill up for the season. (Or, crank the A/C and have everyone don their best Christmas sweaters right now!) This summer, start getting ready for Christmas with a savings plan: Putting aside a few dollars a week between now and the holidays will help you ensure you can give as much as you want to during the holidays. Take advantage of summer sales and early-bird travel deals, too. Make a list of potential gifts (and set a spending limit) for each person, and watch for those items to go on sale. I always try to grab a few “extras” when I find them on super sale: You never know when you’ll need a hostess gift (or a gift for someone who wasn’t originally on your list) at the last minute.
