Christmas Eve is seven months from today!

I know. You’re thinking, “Good heavens! It’s Memorial Day weekend. I’m thinking sunscreen and cookout and she’s thinking Christmas. What is wrong with that woman?”

Remember. The purpose of this countdown isn’t to rush our celebration of Christmas. It’s 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.

So here are your tasks for this month:

• If you haven’t done it yet, make a budget for the holidays and start saving. (If you already have a budget, go you! Now keep saving.) 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.
• Keep your Christmas card list up to date. (If you don’t have a Christmas card list, a rainy summer day 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 in plenty of time.
• If you are vacationing (or traveling for business) this summer, remember to be on the lookout for charming and unusual gifts for those you love. (Museum gift shops, craft festivals, and local boutiques are great options.) That’s one of the things I like best about doing my shopping throughout the year. It encourages me to think about my loved ones and what would make them happy.
• 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.
• If you need to replace decorations and the like, keep your eye on yard and estate sales. People will often put out like new decorations that they don’t like or need. Sometimes, ou can even find brand new rolls of wrapping paper and ribbon. Don’t buy what you don’t need, but if you need it, why not reuse what someone else no longer wants?