The holidays will be here soon! Get ready for Christmas now with 5 simple tips to help you prepare for the season.
Christmas In July Blog Hop
Christmas is only six months away, and you better believe that this Christmas-loving gal is getting excited!
I had so much fun sharing some Christmas in July home inspiration with you last year. So when my friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse asked me if I would like to join this year’s blog hop, of course, I said YES!
Today, 24 bloggers have teamed up to share some of the best ideas for Christmas with you. Trust me when I say you don’t want to miss a single one. Each post is linked here, so scroll to the bottom of the page to see all the inspiration.
To those who have stopped by from my friend Jennifer’s blog, Cottage on Bunker Hill, welcome! Jennifer always has the most creative DIYs, and I loved all her Christmas decorations inspired by Pottery Barn.
Whether this is your first visit to MWLS or you stop by often, I’m so glad you’re here! I’m Jen. A lifelong Nebraska and the creative voice behind Midwest Life and Style.
I love to share all the things that help make your house feel like a home. From DIYs and affordable home decor to inspiration for the seasons, easy homemade recipes, and more, you’ll find it here.
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You can read more about me and my family [HERE]. And, if you have a passion for all of these things too, I’d love to have you join the MWLS family. Simply subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get all of the latest posts sent right to your email inbox.
5 Simple Ways To Get Ready For Christmas Now
There’s no doubt that the holidays can get hectic. With gifts to buy, wrapping to do, and Christmas parties to attend, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and to feel overwhelmed.
Today I’m going to share with you a list of 5 simple things that you can do now to get ready for the Christmas season.
Decide On A Color Scheme
As a blogger, I like to make a few changes once in a while to provide you with new ideas and inspiration. But you don’t have to buy all new decor to freshen up your home for the holidays.
The first thing you can do to get ready for Christmas now is to 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!)
Here are a few color scheme ideas to get you started.
Do you love traditional red and gold holiday decor? I used this timeless color combination to style our home for the holidays a few years ago. Red has my heart at Christmastime, and this was one of my all-time favorite looks.
Blues, greens, and tartan plaids are another cozy holiday color combination.
I used these colors to decorate our home for the holiday last year. These calming colors will give any room in your home a classic wintry look.
Get Inspired
Once you know how you want to decorate for Christmas, begin to look for ideas to get inspired!
Magazines, Pinterest, and blogs are all good places to look for inspiration. HomeTalk is another free online source to find ideas for holiday decor and DIYs. Similar to Pinterest, you can search for specific keywords or terms, and like and save your favorite ideas.
When you see what you like, save the images to a Christmas Pinterest board, or create a mood board with free software tools like Canva or PowerPoint.
Here’s a sneak peek at what I’m planning for Christmas this year. These dreamy photos are just a few of the ideas that I have pinned for inspiration.
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! Make a list now of all the gifts you need to buy this holiday season.
Watch for early sales and spread out the expense by getting some of your family and friends crossed off your list.
Or, if you like to give homemade gifts, get a jump start on those DIYs now, so you aren’t stressed with all the things on your holiday to-do list once the season arrives.
If you’re stumped for what to get someone like a teacher, neighbor, or coworker, a themed gift basket with homemade food or baked goods is an easy and affordable idea. Last year I made a basket filled with items to make a charcuterie board, and it was a hit!
Stock Up On Gift Wrap
As you start to cross a few names off your shopping list, be sure to stock up on gift wrap, so you can wrap as you go.
If you know me, then you know that wrapping is NOT my forte. So I’m thankful for a very handy (and patient) husband who does most of the hard work.
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 holiday gift tags that you can print at home.
Plan Your Christmas Menu
My last tip to get ready for Christmas now is to plan your menu. Whether you’re going to be hosting or traveling for the holidays, it’s a good idea to make a list of what food you need to prepare in advance.
Take advantage of sales to stock up on baking supplies to make cookies like almond shortbread cookies, or my favorite, double chocolate chip peppermint cookies.
And, of course, nothing goes better with cookies than a hot cocoa bar. You can even make some DIY hot cocoa bombs with this easy recipe.
Looking for other holiday recipe ideas? Here are a few of my favorites.
Appetizers
Breakfast and Brunch
Soups and Stews
5 Simple Ways 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.
I know it may seem early to some, but the holidays will be here before we know it. If you loved this post, don’t forget to pin it so you can remember it when you’re ready to tackle your holiday to-do list.
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
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
Kristin | White Arrows Home says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kristin! The holidays will be here before we know it. Trying to get ahead of the game this year.😉
Kim | Shiplap and Shells says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kim. Ironically, this post really forced me to get organized too. Now I can’t wait for Christmas!
Tammy says
Jen, you have great tips here. I already have my color scheme all planned out. I love all of the holiday inspirations.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Tammy. I can’t wait to see what you do!
Heidi says
So many great tips to plan ahead for Christmas, thank you Jen!!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Heidi. I’m glad you enjoyed them!
debra@commonground says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
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!
Wendy McMonigle says
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.
midwestlifeandstyle says
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!
Renae says
Oooh! I love these ideas. I love tartan plaid. So much fun hopping with you. Hugs to you, my friend.
midwestlifeandstyle says
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!
Jennifer Howard says
I love your inspo pics for this Xmas!! Your post came out fantastic!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, friend. I can’t wait to see what beautiful new crafts you create this holiday season!
Cindy says
Gorgeous Christmas inspiration and ideas.
I love giving homemade gifts!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Cindy. I do too. I always think homemade gifts are the best!
Jennifer Hadfield says
Such great tips, Jen! I love the color scheme you went with last year! Everything is so gorgeous!
xoxo
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Jen. Can’t wait to decorate this year!
Kim says
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!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kim!
Rachel says
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!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
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!
Kelly says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, friend. I can’t wait for the holidays this year. It will be here before we know it!!
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Michelle. I’m so glad you like the tags, and I hope the tips help!
Chas - Chas' Crazy Creations says
Wow, these are fantastic ideas and tips! Thanks for sharing and lovely hopping with you!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Chas!
Mary from Life at Bella Terra says
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.
midwestlifeandstyle says
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! 😉
Jenn says
These are great reminders !!! We have 5 kids so spreading out the expense is definitely something we need to do!
midwestlifeandstyle says
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!
Andrea says
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.
midwestlifeandstyle says
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.
Anne from Simply2Moms says
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.
midwestlifeandstyle says
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.
Nicolle says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, friend. Yes, stocking up is the way to go! I think I’m set for the next decade!😂
Rachel Harper says
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.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Rachel!
Amber says
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!
midwestlifeandstyle says
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.
Robyn says
These are great ideas, Jen. I definitely want to work ahead better this year!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Robyn. That is my goal too. Hopefully, we can both make it happen!
CoCo says
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
midwestlifeandstyle says
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!
stacy says
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
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Stacy!