Three Things to Do in August to Prepare for Christmas

How is it August already? Didn't we just pack away last year's Christmas decorations? It sure feels like that around here anyway.

Though fall doesn't officially arrive in Massachusetts until September 22 this year, back-to-school and fall cleaning are already on our minds. Walk into your local store, and you will probably see Halloween candy. And before you know it, Christmas lights will be on the shelves!

Here are three tasks for you to tackle in August to help make the holidays less stressful.

Start Fall Cleaning

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What does fall cleaning have to do with Christmas? It lightens your load. Fall cleaning is not your regular monthly cleaning. It involves cleaning out the refrigerator, reorganizing closets so you can donate shoes and clothes you haven't worn in a while, donating books, recycling magazines, cleaning windows, and maybe even powerwashing the house. If you start by cleaning one room each week, it will be much more manageable than trying to manage a major cleanup in the middle of the holiday season. 

Host a Crafting Party

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Judging by the number of artisan fairs and farmers' markets filled with tons of handmade items, nearly all year round, you must have local crafters in your area working hard at handmade holiday gifts as well. How about hosting a crafting party? Maybe you can plan once a week, and everyone takes a turn hosting. Offer light refreshments and enjoy one another's company. The best part is that it will help you stay on track because you are dedicating regular time to your projects. 

Read at least one Christmas book 

Last month, you compiled your seasonal reading list. Now, it's time to get reading. Plan on reading at least one book a month. It will get you in the holiday mood, and it will help with fall cleaning, because once they are read, you can donate them to someone else to enjoy. 

Happy cleaning, crafting, and reading! See you again next month!

Looking to Review Your Christmas Books, Movies, and Products

 

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Looking to review your Christmas products! Being a lover of all things Christmas, and as someone who has been reviewing products since 2007, 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

• Modern farmhouse
• Traditional
• Country/Rustic
• Indoor and outdoor

Cooking/Baking

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

If you would like me to help spread the word, please reach out to me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net, replacing at and dot with the appropriate symbols. 

Below are the stats from personal social media accounts. 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 2.3K
Author page followers 589
Twitter followers 3,633
LinkedIn Connections 2,183
Instagram followers 1,462

Pinterest followers 228

Goodreads Friends - 792

The Book Connection - Average Monthly Visits 11,435

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection - Average Monthly Views 53

New Additions to My Christmas Reading: Christian Fiction by Kathi Macias

After Christmas, I spoiled myself with a few on sale books from one of my favorite Christian authors, Kathi Macias. 

Return to Christmas beautifully blends the two struggling worlds of a former marine and a little boy with attachment disorder. Former Marine Chet is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. He doesn't need help. He needs employment. He doesn't have issues. The little boy his friends adopted has issues. But there is something about that little boy that draws him. Will the events leading up to this Christmas be able to melt his soldier heart or will he spiral into a dark depression?

A Husband’s Christmas Prayer pulls back the curtain on struggles pastors and their families face. Pastor Paul has been handed the promotion of his dreams, but his formerly supportive wife doesn’t share his sentiment about moving. She liked where she was―her home, church family, coffee with friends while the kids were at daycare. Why did they have to move? They both know there is a rift growing between them. As he ministers to difficult people, will he also be able to minister to his own family?

Chiapas, Mexico, had proven to be the distraction and escape Julie needed. As a teacher, she had longed to travel and instruct abroad. Now, she was teaching and falling in love with her students. But what she didn't expect happened in the short days leading up to Christmas. She didn't know that her freedom would depend on Ramon, the local pastor. She didn't anticipate the emotions this man of God would stir deep in her spirit. This Christmas Eve service would be unlike any other she had ever experienced. Would this simple man and his faith be enough to cause her to stay when she had every reason to leave?

For these and more titles by Kathi Macias, you can visit her website at https://kathimacias.com

Christmas Books in My TBR Pile