Christmas Eve is seven months from today! It’s time for a quick check-in on the Elf Christmas  Countdown. The purpose of this countdown is to help you space out your holiday preparations so that you can enjoy the season rather than wallowing in stress. 

If you follow the Christmas Countdown, you’ll spend Christmas Eve relaxed and happy, celebrating with those you love.

Now, you may think that May is way too early to think about Christmas, but there are some things you can do now that will make your holiday season far more pleasurable.

• Keep your Christmas card list up to date. (If you don't have a Christmas card list, now is an excellent time to make one.) Summer is a big time for moves and marriages, so it's helpful to keep the addresses current.

• If you plan to make gifts, start now. You can do a little at a time and still finish. It’s a great thing to do on a rainy day at the beach. I am hoping to give some home canned fruit as Christmas gifts, so I really do need to do that during the summer.

• If you are vacationing (or traveling for business) this summer, be on the lookout for charming and unusual gifts for those you love. I've bought some of my favorite gifts at little boutiques I've visited on my travels.

• Have a conversation with family about where you will celebrate the holidays. As soon as that is decided, make any travel arrangements needed. The earlier you book a plane flight, the better
price you’ll get and the more choices you’ll have.

• Make a budget for the holidays. I tend to look at Halloween through New Year's. It should include all aspects of your celebration: gifts, travel, food, entertainment, decorations, cards and postage, etc. If you have not already started saving to cover these costs, start now. You should never go into debt to celebrate the holidays. Having a budget and saving throughout the year will allow you to keep control of your spending while prioritizing the things that mean the most to you.