As of today, we are 64 days away from our Christmas in July celebration, 186 days until Halloween and ONLY 241 days until Christmas.  Now I am starting to feel like we’re getting closer to the most wonderful time of the year.

With Easter behind us, we are done with “gift holidays” until the fall.  I have been asking and observing how lovers of the Christmas season have been “feeling Christmas” in the springtime…

Recently, I delivered some gourmet cookies to a friend and she (also a lover of Christmas) had her life-size Santa in her dining room but it was very festive since Santa was wearing “bunny ears”.   Another friend was sharing the Christmas spirit by placing ONLY the green and red jelly beans in candy bowls for visitors; she also left out a carrot & carrot juice for the Easter Bunny!  Traditionally, my family goes out to eat for Easter, but I still make a festive dinner after the holiday; I made a spiral honey ham, macaroni & cheese, fresh string beans and candied sweet potatoes…  it smelled of Christmas all day!  Cooking foods with cinnamon, nutmeg and other holiday seasonings will definitely have you thinking about the most wonderful time of the year.  In fact, a neighbor of mine made these decorative Easter baskets that were loaded with Starlight Mints, Candy Canes, Hot Cocoa, and Christmas DVD’s.  I would even add a CD, like my favorite, The Michael Buble Christmas album.

My friend Matt  says he is “Keeping the Christmas spirit turned all the way up! Buying some new ornaments. Checking out new decorations for this year.  I plan on making a lot of gifts this year.  Pretty soon I’ll be stocking up on different spices and things for baking and cooking for the holidays. Still listening to Christmas music. Watching Christmas movies. Lol. I love Christmas so much!”

Another friend says “My family tells everyone I’m crazy cause whenever were bored, I say let’s put in a Christmas movie”

Movies are definitely my pleasure and I just watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation AGAIN!  Some of the favorites are;  A Christmas Story, Home Alone 1 & 2, White Christmas, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas Vacation, and White Christmas.

Keeping the spirit alive during the spring isn’t difficult if you love Christmas, you can make festive wreaths, bake cookies that resemble ornaments while using the Easter egg cutter… and definitely listen to Christmas music all year long.

I am planning on making this July the best Christmas in July ever, so please share your thoughts with me.  Please join me on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest (I am really adding lots of festive photos there) … let’s celebrate!!

Stay Merry-