It’s July or better known as the month my family starts jonesing for Christmas. This is about the time that the kids start asking for the decorations to go up and for some of the traditions to begin. We all start to get excited about the joy of Christmas on the horizon. And although I am not ready to jump all into Christmas just yet, I do like to dabble my toe in. Luckily, “Christmas in July” is a thing. While Santa enjoys his beach vacation sitting under an umbrella with a cold drink wiggling his toes in the sand, there’s lots to do in July to scratch the Christmas itch. Here are some ideas.
Watching
I love how Christmas movies leave you feeling all happy and warm inside. The Hallmark Channel runs a Christmas in July movie marathon that’s worth checking out.
Shopping
There are tons of really great deals on Christmas items and decorations in July. Some retailers will run a “Christmas in July” sale while others will have a small section in the store with deeply discounted Christmas items. Whichever the case, keeping an eye out for these sales and discounts in July is a great way to get some of your Christmas shopping done early and snag some good deals while doing it. Below are some of the retailers I have found that offered great savings in July. Please share any of your great finds in the comments section.
- QVC.com – “Christmas in July” sale. In addition to a huge selection of Christmas Decor, you can find sale prices on other things like toys, beauty, and electronics.
- Zuilly.com – Will offer lots of different sales of Christmas related items: Decor, ornaments, pajamas…
- Joann (Fabric store) – Keep an eye out for a small section of previous season decorations deeply discounted. Last year I took home two decorations that (after sale and coupons) I got for 90% off.
- Target – In July, Target puts a load of toys on clearance. This is a great time to stock up on Christmas presents. I am always surprised at how great the clearance prices are.
Decorating
OK, you got me. We don’t actually decorate in July but we do take some time to admire and appreciate our “Sneaky Christmas” decorations. Every year (in February *blush*) when we put our decorations away, we leave one area out and we call it “Sneaky Christmas”. A few years back it was a 1 single but adorable paper snowflake taped to a cabinet in the kitchen. Last year it was a string of 3 pictures hanging in the hallway, this year its the Christmas tins in a glass-faced cabinet in the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be a big area… just a little something that keeps the Christmas spirit alive the rest of the year.
