Three Things to do in May to Prepare for Next Christmas

I had hoped to share this post two weeks ago, but alas, my work schedule interrupted playtime, which includes blogging. Though it is late in coming to you, let's talk about three things you can do in May to prepare for next Christmas. 

Not sure what it is like for you this time of year, but it has been crazy as all get out over here. Getting the Wilmington house ready for the summer season, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, attending year-end activities for dance, and finalizing preparations for our daughter's June wedding. So, this month, instead of focusing on tasks, let's talk about three things to do to keep the Christmas spirit alive despite the crazy time of year it is for many of us.

Host a Christmas movie night

Photo credit: IMDB

Thank goodness for streaming services, because it is now easier than ever to get a healthy dose of Christmas movies. Get your friends or family together and binge some holiday movies to inspire decorating ideas, craft ideas, menu ideas, and more!

Take some fun family photos 

With so many people sending photo holiday cards these days, why not try an off-season family photoshoot? Using your favorite restaurant, outdoor space, or vacation spot as a backdrop, take out your camera and get some fun family photos. Adding a Santa hat or a scarf with mittens will make it feel Christmasy. But even if you take photos in your bathing suit at the beach, just think of all the wonderful memories you will make.

Plan a holiday game night

Photo credit: freepik

Remember when you came up with those new party game ideas last month? Check out the post here. Now is a great time to try them out with the family or a small friend group. What better way to capture that holiday spirit? 

Try these ideas and let us know how they turned out. 

Three Things to Do in May to Prepare for Christmas

 

There are 28 weeks or 200 days until Black Friday. As we in New England are planting our gardens, that seems so far off. But it will be here before you know it. If you do a little bit each month, that lessens the stress of the holidays. Here are three things to do in May to prepare for Christmas.

Shop for on sale craft supplies

When I stopped by JOANN's website, blanket yarn, sewing supplies, and buttons and threads were included in this week's ad. Hobby Lobby had t-shirts, yarn, and jewelry making supplies on sale. Michaels' website showed canvas and paint supplies on sale, deals on Cricut® materials, and frames on sale.

Make a family Christmas book reading list

Each year, I plan to read more seasonal titles between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do I? Rarely. Use Goodreads or an online book wish list to add books you want to read, so that by November you can make a trip to the library or buy the ones off your list that you are sure you want to own.

Browse your cookbooks for recipes 

This is another thing I plan to do around the holidays that gets lost in the shuffle. If you take out your cookbooks now, you can bookmark the recipes you want to try. Especially if you will be making them for a party, you might want to try them ahead of time. Then, when November and December roll around, you will already have some menu ideas handy.

What are some other tasks in May you might want to tackle to prepare for Christmas?