Christmas is five months from today! Here are some tasks to keep in mind to aid your preparations:

 •Continue putting the budgeted amounts aside so that you can cover your holiday costs without resorting to credit.

 •Make travel reservations as early as possible. By September, the best deals will be gone.

•Begin developing your Christmas gift list and, as you see appropriate gifts, pick them up. (I've already made a good start on my shopping.)

•If you plan to make gifts (other than food), start now while you have time.

 •Use bad weather days this summer (ones that are too hot or too rainy to go outside) to go through the recipe file you created last year. Pick out the recipes you want to try this holiday season.