Hello, July. It sure is good to see you again.

It’s the first day of July, which basically means it’s the first day of Christmas…in July! Ah, the second ‘most wonderful time of the year’, why? Because this is the time of the year that we get to planning for the holiday season, when Hallmark stores across the nation have their annual Keepsake Ornament Preview celebration where we can check out the new Christmas ornaments for the next week, the Hallmark television networks air holiday movies, QVC puts out early decor and gift sales, and much more!

It’s one thing to have the Christmas spirit in your heart year ’round, but it’s even more exciting when you know that you’re not alone in your celebrating and you don’t have to rely on your own trusty DVD and music collection to enjoy some festive programming.

I have a lot planned for this month–from testing out new holiday recipes to enjoying some holiday favorite movies (including the Hallmark ones currently airing), picking up some new ornaments and getting a head-start on the actual holiday season later this year. How do you celebrate?

Stay merry!

Right: Candace Cameron Bure, Left: Lacey Chabert / Photo: Crown Media

It was pretty inevitable that Lacey Chabert would be returning to her holiday stopping grounds this Christmas season, considering she’s hosting the Hallmark Channel “Christmas: A First Look Preview Special” next month during Christmas Keepsake Week, but it’s officially confirmed that she will star in a new movie for the Countdown to Christmas line-up!

Chabert will star in “Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe”, which is an adaptation of Melissa de la Cruz’s book of the same name and a gender-swapping update of Jane Austen’s classic novel, as Darcy Fitzwilliam, a successful and brilliant woman who has a lot going for her — especially her dating life, but she has never fallen in love. She also has a habit of avoiding Christmas back home in her small town, but when her mother falls ill, she can’t help but return to spend the season with her family. Little does she know that this could be the holiday season could bring her love and new beginnings.

“Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe” will mark Chabert’s seventh Hallmark holiday movie, and she’s not alone in that milestone. Candace Cameron Bure will also be back for her seventh run this Christmas while simultaneously celebrating her tenth anniversary of making yuletide magic with the network!

6 MONTHS FROM TODAY, SANTA WILL BE ON HIS WAY! 🎅

Wow, can you believe it?! It feels like just yesterday I was taking down my trees, and now we’re officially at the halfway point to Christmas Day — Merry “Half-mas” aka National Leon Day (psst: Leon is NOEL spelled backward)!  We better start planning for the holidays STAT, because it goes by likethat!

I’ll be drinking a peppermint hot chocolate milkshake while I blast some carols and maybe pop in a holiday movie or two tonight — what are you doing to celebrate?!

Stay merry!

Happy Summer!!

Today was the official start of summer, which just means the holiday season is that much closer! I love it when it’s Christmas time, obviously, but that doesn’t mean I like to rush the year. The holiday season always goes by too fast anyway!

I’m excited to celebrate “Halfmas” – the halfway point to Christmas – this month and, of course, Christmas in July! That’s a lot of excitement for the summer and I’m eager to enjoy it.

Are you looking to get a head start on holiday shopping this year? Look no further than QVC‘s 31st annual Christmas in July offerings! On July 1st, the iconic shopping network will dedicate their programming to getting you an early start into the most wonderful (and busy) time of the year before the hustle and bustle really sets off in a few months. You’ll be able to purchase decor, lights, toys, food, jewelry, more!

While most would deem buying Christmas decorations in the summer ‘way too early’ — and they’d rather be out by the pool or doing some other seasonal activity, when you think about parties, gift shopping, decorating, cooking, and other traditions while you’re in the midst of work and school in November and December, you might rest easy to know that you already got some of your shopping out of the way months prior. Get a sneak peek of what to expect here!

Check out the schedule of what’s to come on QVC this July!

200 days until Christmas!! The year is just flying by and it will be 100 before you know it!

Christmas in July is just around the corner, and I can hardly contain my excitement for the Hallmark holiday programming and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments that will be coming out for preview and early purchase this summer.

I keep the spirit of the season 365 days a year, and I hope you’ll #StayMerry too!

Stay merry!

Photo: 98 Degrees

98 Degrees is coming to a city near you to celebrate Christmas! Nick Lachey, his brother Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre promoted their reunion album “Let it Snow” after its release during the 2017 holiday season and clearly had so much fun that they’re ready to hit the road again.

The At Christmas Tour 2018 kicks off on November 1st and runs through December 21st, and Nick Lachey spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about their eagerness to spread some cheer with songs of the season. “The songs just put you in a great spirit and I think the audience feels the same way,” he said. “It’s why we love to do stuff like this around the holidays. It just puts us in a great spirit and gets you ready for a very special time of year.”

Photos: ABC

Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and I’ll be spending the day with loved ones doing our traditional last minute activities before Santa Claus arrives! But, I was loving all of the sweaters on “LIVE with Kelly and Ryan” this week so much that I had to pop in and dish the scoop on those first.

On Monday, Anderson Cooper played co-host and, during one of the segments, he and Kelly teamed up for “Merry Money” against select audience members where they caught ping pong balls in their interactive sweaters. For the game, they wore the Tipsy Elves Beer Pong Ugly Christmas Sweater ($80-$83) and they’re available in both Women and Men’s sizes.

Not all of the home shopping television networks are celebrating Christmas in July, but QVC definitely is! The iconic shopping station is offering a holiday must-have assortment with their “12 Days of Christmas” list – dozens of offerings every day! After you spend the day out enjoying Independence Day festivities, unwind in front of the television – or browse online – for stellar early Christmas details to help prepare you for the busiest time of the year. Visit www.qvc.com to see all of the jolly items!

But, wait, there’s more! QVC is also holding a major Christmas In July Sweepstakes in honor of their 30th Annual Christmas in July® Sale. You could win $30,000 or valuable weekly prizes from brands including Luminara Realistic Flame Effect Candle, HomeWorx by Harry Slatkin, Berkshire Blanket, Hallmark, Cheryl’s Cookies and Brownies and Harry London Chocolates during our Christmas in July® Sweepstakes, June 24 through July 31.

• Learn more about the sweepstakes at http://qvc.co/CIJ-Sweeps-ENTER.

Stay merry!

There’s no need to count down until Christmas in July because it’s here!  All month long I’ll be celebrating with holiday programming television schedules, festive beauty tips to try this month or bookmark for the upcoming holiday season, summery treat recipes with a festive touch, and lots more!  I can’t wait to get started! Stay tuned…

Stay merry!