Christmas in July Day Thirty One ~ 21 Weeks to go!

Christmas in July Day Thirty

Wow. Christmas in July has come to an end. I so enjoyed reading all of the CIJ blog posts. I got some great ideas for this year's crafting, baking, cooking, decorating and celebrating. Thank you.

As we move through the rest of the summer, through the fall and on to the Christmas season let's keep joy as a focus and fight fear. Let's continue to think of and do for others. And let's not forget ourselves. Especially during this time of intense tension let's eat properly, get some exercise, and take care of ourselves.

To end this year's CIJ, I'm showing some random images that speak to the joy of the Season to me.

I love purple!

Christmas in July Day Twenty Nine

Last year I failed at the family Christmas letter. Actually, my whole card-sending tradition kind of fell apart.

This year with the virus sweeping the country (and the accompanying craziness) I've often thought about what I will say in my letter. I can't decide if I'll go for funny, matter of fact, or all out frustrated.

Anyway, here's some creative templates for the Annual Christmas Letter:

Christmas in July Day Twenty Eight

Do you have littles in your life who are new to writing? Here's a great Letter to Santa template they might enjoy:

Christmas in July Day Twenty Seven

Today I thought I'd share something different and fun... Photo Prompts.

I try to take a lot of photos at Christmas. But I have to admit I've gotten lazy. I rely on my phone for photos instead of using my good camera. I need to get back to my camera because I think it takes better photos. But it's large and heavy and is not in my pocket readily available. See, lazy!

Christmas in July Day Twenty Six

I believe this Christmas season (indeed this entire year) is a good time to practice Random Acts of Kindness. I found these lists on Pinterest. There are some duplicate acts on the lists, however, they're all good ideas that are easily carried out.

Let's strive for kindness in 2020!

Christmas in July Day Twenty Five

I post this song every year, probably twice a year. I just love it. The words, the melody, the message. It fills my heart.

The band, Cloverton, is a group of guys who met at K-State University in Manhattan, KS. This was filmed at Varsity Doughnuts in Aggieville near the K-State campus in December 2014.

This time I included the lyrics. Enjoy...

I've heard about this baby boy
Who's come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah

A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God's only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah

The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You'll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Christmas in July Day Twenty Four - 22 Weeks to go!

Christmas in July day Twenty Three

I need a break today from the reality of grandkids NOT being able to go back to school, grocery shelves becoming empty again (why is that?), and non-stop coverage of the woes of the world.

I need some Peanuts Gang time!

Christmas in July Day Twenty Two

 

Now this is a tip I can really get into. 

My husband and I actually do this for restaurants we eat at frequently. When the "buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus card" deals come out, we buy gift cards for ourselves to use throughout the year and use the bonus cards in January before they expire. 

You can also utilize this tip to buy gift cards as gifts. One a month will be easier on your Christmas budget.

Christmas in July Day Twenty One

 

As I was wandering through my Christmas board on Pinterest trying to find some decor inspiration, I came across these images. 

This year I'm feeling a huge desire to change things up in a really big way. It's not so much that I want to get rid of any of my decor. It's more that I'd like to re-purpose it into a fresh look.

In the meantime, I'll continue to browse Pinterest and dream...

Christmas in July Day Twenty

 

As my grandkids get older we're discovering more craft/diy projects we can do together. Today I'm featuring some that I'd like for us to try to make:

Christmas in July Day Nineteen

 

I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for some humor!

Christmas in July Day Eighteen

Let's talk about gift wrap. There are so many creative suggestions for gift wrapping your Christmas presents. 

Last year I made snowmen for my family and grouped them around the tree. The  three layers of the snowmen held an ornament, wrapped gifts and stocking stuffers. I loved looking at them every day! I tried to make the faces as individual as possible. My daughter Katie bought everyone a beanie for Christmas and we placed them on the heads of the snowmen. I doubt if I'll ever top that in the  future.

In past years I've used a specific gift wrap for each person, wrapped everything in plain paper and instead of gift tags used a photo of  the recipient as the gift tag, and wrapped each family in a specific gift wrap.

This year I'm wrapping the gifts in boxes or gift bags. I think I'm still recovering from making all those snowmen last year!

Here's a couple of cute ideas I've seen on Pinterest that I'm putting in my Christmas future file.

I love making Scrabble tile crafts. It is so hard, though, to find Scrabble games that still have the tiles in them. In order to do this I'll have to search and see if I can buy the tiles online. I'm sure I can.

This one is cute and would be a good follow up to the snowman Christmas.

I enjoy gift wrapping, but I'm not very good at it. I think that's the real reason that I'm using boxes/bags this year. Plus, I'm really getting into the "keep it simple" way of doing things!