Every year around July, I start thinking about Christmas. I know that probably sounds a little crazy when it’s hot outside and we’re nowhere near the holiday season, but hear me out. Several years ago, I realized something. I was spending so much time preparing for Christmas that I wasn’t fully enjoying Christmas. The shopping, wrapping, decorating, and planning. The running from store to store trying to find that one last gift.

Somewhere between all the to-do lists and the rushing around, the season started feeling stressful instead of joyful. So I decided to try something different. Instead of waiting until November to think about Christmas, I started planning in July. Not decorating. Not listening to Christmas music. Just planning.

I began by making my gift list and breaking it into smaller pieces. Rather than shopping for everyone at once, I assigned different people to different months. A few gifts in July, a few more in August, a few more in September… you get the idea. Little by littlem the list became more manageable.

What surprised me most wasn’t how much money I saved or how much less stressful shopping became, (although those were definitely a plus), it was how much more I enjoyed the holiday season.

By spreading things out, I had more time to think about the people I was buying for instead of grabbing whatever I could find during a last-minute shopping trip. I felt less rushed, less overwhelmed, and everything became more intentional.

And isn’t that what most of us really want? Not a perfect or Pinterest-worthy Christmas. Just a Christmas where we have enough room to enjoy the people sitting around the table.

Over the years, my family has grown. There are more nieces, nephews, and now a grandson on the way. My list certainly hasn’t gotten shorter. But my Christmas-in-July habit has helped me keep the focus where I want it. Not on the stress. Not on the spending. Not on the rush. On the people. And that is ultimately my goal in everything I do. Focus with intention on celebrating and loving those in your life.

So while everyone else is talking about vacations, swimming pools, and summer plans, you’ll probably find me with a notebook making a Christmas list. Not because I want to rush the season. Because I want to enjoy it when it gets here.

And for me, that starts in July. Next week I’ll share exactly how I break down my Christmas shopping list and why it’s become one of my favorite holiday traditions.

With love,

Mindy