Christmas is five months from today. In the extreme summer heat (walking outside feels like stepping into a very damp oven), it's time to look at what we can do know to help prepare for our holiday celebrations. (I include everything from Halloween through New Year's Day.)

If you follow this countdown, you'll be calm and organized as the holidays approach.

• Make your Thanksgiving travel plans now. By the time mid-September rolls around, the best deals and the most convenient times may already be gone. (I just checked the train schedule and a lot of the best options are already gone.)
• Take a serious look at your holiday budget. How is the saving for those expenses going? If you haven't been able to save as much as you'd hoped, you still have plenty of time to make adjustments. You can set a limit on gifts. You can decide to host less. You can cut back on decorations. Remember: holiday celebrations should never cause debt. Never.
• If you plan to make any gifts or decorations, begin to price supplies, organize your material, and begin to block out time. Christmas crafts are a great way to stay cool when you are stuck inside due to thunderstorms or dangerous heat.
• Another great rainy day activity: go through the folder or recipe or craft ideas you've been collecting. It's amazing how much less appealing things can be after you've set them aside for a while. Discard the ones you don't think you'll try and select a few things to try this year.
• Use the lazier summer days to use up food in your cabinets and freezer. You know you'll want that space when the holidays arrive.
• Keep you eyes open for gifts for people you know will be on your list. take advantage of local shops as you vacation and of end-of-season clearances.