Christmas Eve is 6 months from today. 

Even if you haven't thought about Christmas yet, now is the time to start the Christmas Countdown:

1)  If you don't have a holiday budget, develop one now. The more time you give yourself to save, the better. If you have a holiday budget in place, decide if it's realistic. Are you saving enough? If not, where can you increase saving or decrease expenditures? It's way easier to cut now than in the heart of the season. For example, you can agree with friends or family to limit gift-giving. Or you can make more of your gifts by hand (canning anyone?). You may be able to cut your travel costs or work with friends to thro one joint party.

2) While on vacation, keep an eye out for good presents. I love to visit museums while on vacation and I never leave a museum without visiting the gift shop. I have found some of my favorite gifts in the shops of small museums. Local arts festivals or craft shows are a fun stop and a great place to find unique gifts. Plus, museum purchases support these facilities and craft show purchases support artists.

3) Keep updating your card address list. Summer is a big time for moving and weddings. Updating in real time will make it much easier to send cards.

4)  If you can decide your travel now, you can buy your tickets with maximum choice of seats and at great prices. Some sites (like Orbitz) even offer price assurance, so if someone else gets the same flight cheaper, they'll refund the difference to you.  If the costs are high, consider travel insurance — just in case.

5) If you plan to make some gifts (apart from baking), start planning now.  A rainy day at the beach may be the best time to knit that sweater, make the jewelry, or compile the scrapbook. Some things can only be done in the summer. Take advantage of seasonal produce to make jam and pickles or can peaches and tomatoes. A basket filled with your home  canned preserves makes a lovely gift and brings the summer alive in the depths of winter.

6) Now is also a good time to think about other things you might want to craft: cards, wrapping paper, decorations. There is no rule that says kids can't make Chrsitmas decorations or cards as a summer craft project.

Anything you can do now increases the time available come December!