Reminder: Looking to Review Your Christmas Products in 2025!

 

Photo credit: freepik

Having just spoken today with a book publicist reminded me that there are still open slots for this year's review calendar. As someone who has been reviewing products since 2007--and a HUGE Christmas lover--I am looking to help you spread the word about your seasonal book, family-friendly movie, home decorating, or cooking/baking products.

Here is a short list of what I'm most interested in, but I'm open to other inquiries:

Books

• Picture books
• Chapter books
• Clean romance novellas

Movies

• Animated 
• Drama
• Clean romance
• Clean comedy

Decor and Storage Items

• Cottagecore
• Modern farmhouse
• Traditional
• Country/Rustic
• Indoor and outdoor
• Holiday storage products

Cooking/Baking

• Supplies--specialty pots, pans, utensils, cookie cutters, aprons, tools, etc.
• Ingredients
• Cookbooks

If you would like me to help spread the word, please contact me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net, replacing at and dot with the appropriate symbols. Please put "Christmas Product Review" in the subject line of your email. 

Below are the stats from personal social media accounts as of July 24, 2025. Books might be cross-posted to The Book Connection or The Children's and Teens' Book Connection, so I am including that information as well.

Facebook friends 2.9K
Author page followers 609
Twitter/X followers 3,627
LinkedIn Connections 2,201
Instagram followers 1,548

Pinterest followers 229

Goodreads Friends - 791

The Book Connection - Average Monthly Visits 166,902

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection - Average Monthly Visits 218

Christmas Year Round blog - Average Monthly Visits 3,398

Christmas...in the News: Christmas Movie Stars in Small Southern Town, Christmas in July Toy Run & Christmas in July Fundraiser at Pier 59

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a great weekend. It's time for another edition of Christmas... in the news. How are you enjoying them so far? We have some touching stories this week. 

Southern Living is talking about Christmas movie stars' plans to spend July 25 - 27 in Dahlonega, Georgia, for the ticketed event, "Christmas in a Small Town." According to the article, Dahlonega has been the location for at least three Christmas movies. Find out more details here. 

From Chico, California, comes a holiday story that will warm your heart. Action News Now reported on the 9th Annual Christmas in July Toy Run. Despite the hot temperatures, the Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson team raised funds to help ensure happy holidays for local foster families. You can read all about it here. 

Then we move across the country for a story out of Vincent, Alabama. The 16th annual Christmas in July fundraiser to benefit the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind was held on Saturday, July 19 at Pier 59 on Logan Martin Lake. With live music, a live auction, a raffle and more, it sounds like a great time. It was inspired to support the owner of Pier 59's efforts to buy gifts for those at AIDB. Read more about this wonderful event here. 

Seems like a ton of people enjoy celebrating Christmas in July. I sure do! See you next week. 

Christmas in July Crafting Supply Sales

 

If you are following our monthly tips for preparing for Christmas, you will remember that one of July's tasks was to take advantage of Christmas in July sales. Another was purchasing DIY/crafting project supplies. 

Here are some current craft suppliers running sales right now. Keep in mind, these prices and stock of these items can run out at any time.

Herrschners

Many moons ago, before the girls were born, I used to needlepoint and cross-stitch regularly. That's how I learned of Herrschners. In addition to their regular promotions, Herrschners has a Christmas in July sale running now. You can see their inventory here.

Michaels

This craft store has a bunch of sales going on right now, including on Christmas trees. They are also offering 25% off on regularly priced items with a special Christmas in July code. Check Michaels out here.  

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is embracing fall a bit early by offering sales on fall items. But the sale ends today, so you only have a little bit of time. Through midnight on July 20, they are also offering free shipping on orders of $50 or more. There might be more details on that, so make sure you check out Hobby Lobby's website here.

Artists & Craftsman Supply

Over at Artists & Craftsman Supply, they are celebrating their 40th anniversary by offering savings on shipping costs. They are also running an Overstock Summer Spree Sale. Check it all out here.

The Make It Work blog shared links to a variety of craft retailers. Who knows what other sales you will discover? You can find this article by visiting them here.

Three Things to Do in July to Prepare for Christmas

How are we already past the halfway point in the year? Christmas is in 165 days!

For the first time in a couple of years, I didn't buy a Christmas ornament when we visited The Christmas Shop and General Store in Manteo on vacation. Luckily, I can always purchase online if something inspires me. Buying myself a couple of early birthday gifts made me feel more thrifty. 

How are you doing with following our to-do list to prepare you for Christmas? 

Here are the recommended steps to take in July:

Take advantage of Christmas in July sales

Photo credit freepik

Once an odd gimmick, so many stores, online retailers, and even local artisans take advantage of Christmas in July these days. You can't forget Amazon Prime Days, which just happened last week. I bought myself an early birthday gift--a new Kindle Fire. Our town, like many others, has a local Farm and Artisan Market. We visited two while on vacation and picked up some nice handcrafted gifts. 

Buy any DIY project supplies

Photo credit freepik

On June's list, you decided on your DIY projects and handcrafted gifts for family and friends. Now, it's time to buy those supplies. If you haven't been crafting all year long, August is a great time to get started crafting. Take advantage of early sales to find what you need. 

Put together your Christmas Reading List with classics and 2025 new book releases

So many seasonal titles hit the shelves in the fall, and the best way to create a buzz for them is to make them available for pre-order, like I'll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss. Some Christmas titles have already hit the market. I added some backlist titles to my Kindle recently. You can check them out here. What are some seasonal titles you're looking forward to this year?

Following these seven months of helpful tips, you can make the holidays less stressful. See you next month!

Christmas...in the News: Third Three Wise Men Hallmark Christmas Movie, Pittsburgh Launches its Official Christmas Tree Search & QVC Launches 'Christmas in July'

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Hope you enjoyed the last couple of weeks. We just came back from the Outer Banks: my favorite beachy place. Now that we are past the halfway mark to Christmas, the weekly news is more plentiful. Here are some of the latest tidbits:

In a People exclusive, it was announced that Hallmark Channel is working on a third installment in the popular Three Wise Men series. Though the movie has no title yet, the film is in production this summer with a planned airing later this year. You can read more here!

The city of Pittsburgh has launched its search for its official Christmas tree. WPXI reported on Saturday that the city officials are looking for a tree that is at least 40 feet high. You can read more here. 

KTLA5 announced four days ago that QVC launched a star-studded 'Christmas in July' event that will run through the end of the month. You can read about it here. This last one begs the question: Have you or anyone you know ordered from QVC? Honestly, can't say I ever have, but I think Jim Shore, who created the nativity scene that sits in our family room, sells products through them. 

That's it for this week. Look fora  post tomorrow about things to do in July to prepare for Christmas. 

Recent Additions to My Christmas Romance Kindle Library

As an early birthday gift, I ordered myself a new Kindle Fire. I am trading in my Paperwhite, which I don't enjoy as much as I thought. Here are some recent additions to my Christmas romance Kindle library.

Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa. Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Order here!

Miranda Belmoore has never felt attuned to the rest of society. Her family has never understood her blunt speech and unwillingness to bow to conventional strictures, and so they have always made her feel that there is something wrong with her. Now as a poor relation in her cousin’s house, she makes plans to escape a life of drudgery and disdain from her own family members.

Naval Captain Gerard Foremont is having difficulty adjusting to life back on land, frustrated that his career has been cut short by his severely injured knee. Guilt haunts him as he sees the strain his long convalescence has had upon his parents. As they spend Christmastide with the Belmoores, he wants to help fulfill his mother’s wish to have her orphaned niece come to stay with them.

However, an enemy has infiltrated the family party, bent on revenge and determined that Twelfth Night will end in someone’s death...

Order here!

Holly Clearwater arrives home for Christmas in Cowlitz Crossing, Washington, to discover a crooked banker determined to put her ailing grandmother's bakery out of business. To further complicate matters, Holly's grandmother, Maggie confesses that she has spurned the banker's advances.

Declan O'Keefe, a single father, struggles to operate his advertising agency and raise his teenage daughter, who works at the local bakery. When the establishment's baked goods orders go horribly awry, and danger lurks close, Declan worries for his daughter's safety.

Will Holly and Declan bring to justice the mentally unstable criminals causing the bakery's troubles? Or will the beloved small town business fall into the hands of unscrupulous villains driven by greed?

Order here!

Have you read any of these books yet? What is your favorite Christmas romance?

Christmas... in the News: More 2025 Christmas Decorating Trends, Elegant Holiday Decor & Christmas in July Thrifty Decor Haul

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Loving that more videos are out there for Christmas 2025. The first one is Ramon at Home sharing decorating trends. This is a different video from the one I shared earlier this year.

Cozy Corners shares the 10 biggest elegant holiday decor ideas for a timeless and cozy home.

Mother Thyme shares her Christmas in July thrifty decor haul.

That's it for this week. Which video is your favorite?