Just 6 Months Away!

Did you know that Christmas was 6 months away from yesteryday?  I know it is hard to think about Christmas in the middle of the summer when it is 90 degrees outside.  But, if you start thinking about Christmas a little bit, maybe it won't be so overwhelming come November/December.  As you are going through the aisles at Target, check all the clearance end caps for possible gifts for family members or even your children.  Stock up on teacher gifts, hostess gifts, and items for gift exchanges at your office.  Most every store has a clearance section and sometimes you can find really nice items for a great deal.  Then put them all in a tub with your Christmas items so when you pull those out, you will have the gifts close by! As you are sitting by the pool with your family, maybe some pool passes for your sister's kids would be a great gift idea for Christmas.  As you take your family to the water park, how about picking up some tickets for next summer for a gift idea.  As you are on vacation, look for unique items that you might want to pick up for a loved one.  Wouldn't it be great to have most of your shopping done before the summer is over?

Last year I won this great book called A SCRAPBOOK OF CHRISTMAS FIRSTS.  The author's also have a blog that I believe they start in July and run through January.  The blog is based off of the book and gives you lots of tips to help you prepare for the Christmas season.  The book is just a wonderful addition to my library.  I love all the stories and tips it offers as well as the recipes. But my favorite is the stories of all kinds of other traditions that families have started to celebrate Christmas.  If you are a new family or starting over as a single mom or maybe empty nesters and looking for new traditions, this book has LOTS of ideas for you.  Also throughout the book are Bible verses and quotes related to the Christmas season.

One tip that I really liked from the book is purchasing a $10 roll of quarters and that way you are sure to always have quarters for your children to place in the Salvation Army kettles when you see them outside store entrances.  I don't always have cash on me and the kids love to put coins in the kettles.  So, this will allow us to be sure to keep those bell ringers happy!

This book is available on Amazon for $13.25.  It would also make a great Christmas gift for all those ideas I mentioned above.  It won't disappoint.