I get it thinking about Christmas in July feels… off. It’s hot, you’re in summer mode, and the idea of untangling lights or planning gift wrap sounds like a lot. But hear me out: doing a few small things now? It saves you so much stress later.

1. Pick Your Theme

Are you sticking with your usual holiday vibe or trying something new? Now’s the time to decide before the stores get picked over and you’re panic-buying mismatched ornaments.

What to do now:

• Scroll through pics from past years. What felt great? What felt a little…meh?
• Pick your theme now so you’re not making impulse decisions in the middle of Target in November.
• Bonus: Write it down somewhere like a decor journal or phone note so you actually remember.

2. Choose One DIY (and Only One)

We all have good intentions in December… and zero time. If you know you’ll want to do a little crafty moment this year, plan it now.

➡️ Pick one project you actually want to do.
Order the supplies.
Block off a day in August or September.
Done.

3. Purge What’s Not Working

We all have that one bin full of broken, tangled, or just plain sad holiday stuff. Let it go.

➡️ Go through 1–2 bins:

• Toss broken lights
• Donate decor you’ve outgrown
• Get rid of anything giving “cheap office party” vibes

4. Label and Organize Your Bins

Don’t overthink this just give everything a little more order.

Try this:

• Sort decor by room or vibe
• Use painter’s tape, chalk labels, or even just sticky notes to label bins.
• Group like items together so decorating is plug-and-play later.

You’ll be so glad you did when it’s time to decorate.

5. Test the Lights

Yes. Every single strand.

➡️ Plug them in.
Throw away the duds.
Replace them now while they’re on sale not when you’re stressed and everything good is sold out.

6. Take Inventory and Shop Early

There are always those little things we forget every year.

➡️ Make a list of what’s missing or low:

• Command hooks
• Batteries
• Ornament hooks
• Tape
• Ribbon

Summer sales are happening grab it now.

You don’t have to decorate in July. But prepping just a few things now means more calm, more cocoa, and way fewer “where are the batteries?!” moments come December.

You’ve got time now. Use a little of it to make your holiday season feel actually enjoyable (imagine that).