Our curators have been working hard to share their best holiday spirit to deck the halls with a creative flair for Christmas in July! While the temperatures soar outside, the holiday magic comes alive indoors with a burst of colors and imagination. From handcrafted breadboards that evoke memories of snowy landscapes to vibrant summery colors incorporated into festive color palettes, this mid-year celebration offers a delightful canvas for artists and decorators to express their festive vision. Join us as we dive in to prepare your business for the Christmas season, create seasonal masterpieces, and explore innovative ways to blend winter charm with summer vibes!
Table of Contents
Embrace the Unexpected: Exploring Non-Traditional Color Palettes for Christmas in July – Kimberly Reiter
Four Steps to take now for Handmade Holiday Success – Danielle Kaminski
Unwrapping Nostalgia: The Emotions Vintage Christmas Decor Evokes – Patty Levine
The Not So Traditional Christmas Decor– Kelly Wiler
Transforming Christmas Scenes Painted on Wood into Sharable Cards– Renee Smith
Upcycled Christmas Projects to Beat the Heat – Karen Berg
Spreading Holiday Cheer in the Middle of Summer – Laura Kottke
Embrace the Unexpected: Exploring Non-Traditional Color Palettes for Christmas in July
Kimberly Reiter (link to bio)
Why not dare to veer from the traditional colors of the holidays and explore new color palettes? Christmas in July is the perfect opportunity to give you the freedom to experiment with unique and unexpected combinations.
Stand Out and Spark Conversation:
Whether you opt for tropical hues, icy pastels, or vibrant jewel tones, these unconventional choices can infuse your artwork with an unexpected and eye-catching appeal.
Using non-traditional color palettes for Christmas in July helps your artwork stand out from conventional holiday-themed pieces. It sparks curiosity and invites engaging conversation as viewers are drawn to your unconventional choices.
Here are a few color palette ideas to get you started:
Tropical Paradise:
- Vibrant Pinks
- Turquoise
- Leafy green
- Red
Desert Oasis:
- Sky blue
- Rusty Orange
- Deep Teal
- Sand Beige
Fiery Fiesta:
- Fuchsia
- Bright orange
- Electric blue
- Neon yellow
Remember, these color palettes are just starting points. Enjoy and experiment with different shades, tones, and colors of your favorite palettes to create your desired artistic expression for Christmas in July. Let your imagination run wild.
Visit Kimberly at Rubbish Restyled!
Four Steps to Take Now for Handmade Holiday Success
Danielle Kaminski (link to bio)
Imagine it’s Thanksgiving week, and you’re busy with family gatherings and personal holiday planning when you realize you’ve already sold out of all your customer’s favorite handmade Christmas Products. Now your email and social media are getting hit daily with “When will you have more?”.
You go to your supplier’s site to place an order and they are out of half the items you need for at least another week. There is only one weekend between now and Christmas that isn’t already packed with markets or family gatherings.
Some folks might pivot entirely, creating something new that may or may not sell. Others will take custom or pre-orders and work themselves completely ragged in the two weeks right before Christmas. Others will simply watch their momentum die off and lose out on sales revenue because they just don’t have time to do anything more.
What if it could be different though? What if Christmas in July wasn’t just a Marketing Phrase, but a system that lets you go into your holiday season better prepared? How much better would Fourth Quarter be with a sales plan, plenty of supplies on hand, and enough inventory to prevent yourself from working like crazy when you want to be spending time with family?
Here are the four steps you need to take right now to be ready for the holidays.
Review your Data
The first thing you need to do is review the products you sold last year, and maybe even the year before. Which ones sold best? When did you start selling them, and when did you stop? Try to look at actual sales data if you can. Do you have an inventory management system in place through a storefront or website? Pull actual reports to see what you sold. Look back through your calendar, and even your social media, to see when you began to market different products and when they stopped selling. Was it because you ran out of stock? Or did sales for certain items simply drop off at a certain point? Don’t forget to pay attention not only to seasonal items but your standard items as well! Once you’ve got all that information in front of you, ask yourself if you are happy with your sales volume from last year. Do you want to see an increase this year? What is your overall sales goal for this coming holiday season?
Plan your Sales Map
With the numbers you pulled from last year, you know when your sales started to pick up as you entered the Fourth Quarter. Could you have sold more in October if you started selling sooner? Would more frequent restocks or product announcements grow your sales in November? Do you need one last market or sales push early in December?
Create a Sales Calendar that gives a visual representation of what you want to sell, when you want to sell it, and how/where you want to sell it. Assign actual sales goals to these items. Figure out how many items you have to sell to meet those goals in those specific time frames.
Read the rest of Danielle’s tips on her blog here!
Unwrapping Nostalgia: The Emotions Vintage Christmas Decor Evokes
Patty Levine (link to bio)
Is Jack Frost nipping at your nose? I know it’s still July but nothing evokes feelings of nostalgia quite like vintage Christmas decorations. As estate sales, vintage markets and antique shops turn up more and more vintage Christmas items we are seeing a huge surge in the collectability of these winking Santa mugs made in Japan and Shiny Brite ornaments twinkling in the lights on our tree branches.
Let’s delve into the allure of vintage Christmas decor and explore how it can add a touch of magic to your holiday celebrations.
The Beauty of Vintage Ornaments: One of the most enchanting aspects of vintage Christmas decor is the plethora of unique and intricate ornaments available. Glass baubles in vibrant colors, delicate hand-blown figurines, and glittering tinsel evoke a sense of nostalgia that transports us back to childhood memories. By incorporating vintage ornaments into your holiday decorations, you not only infuse your space with elegance but also preserve a piece of history.
2. Embracing Timeless Decorative Pieces: Vintage Christmas decor extends beyond ornaments and lighting. Delightful treasures like antique Santa figurines, vintage nativity sets, and ornate snow globes can lend an air of sophistication and whimsy to your holiday display. These timeless decorative pieces act as cherished heirlooms passed down through generations, and infuse your space with a sense of history and sentimentality.
3. Repurposing and DIY Projects: Another appealing aspect of vintage Christmas decor is the opportunity for creativity and repurposing. Vintage items can be given new life through do-it-yourself projects. For example, an old metal flour sifter can be transformed into a charming home for a hand-sewn and decorated snowman, while vintage fabric scraps can be repurposed into unique stockings. These projects not only honor the past but also allow you to personalize your decorations in a meaningful way.
4. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: In today’s world, where sustainability is a growing concern, embracing vintage Christmas decor offers an eco-friendly alternative. By utilizing existing items, reusing, and repurposing, you can reduce your environmental footprint while still celebrating the holiday season in style. Vintage decorations embody a spirit of sustainability, reminding us to appreciate the beauty of well-crafted items that stand the test of time.
By incorporating elements from the past, you infuse your home with a unique charm and create an ambiance that transports both you and your guests to a simpler and more magical time. So, this year, why not embrace the beauty of vintage Christmas decor and create an unforgettable holiday experience?
Visit Patty at Ooh! I Love That
The Not So Traditional Christmas Decor
Kelly Wiler (link to bio)
I have to admit, I’m not at all ready for Christmas decor yet! Yes, I gave it my best shot, I pulled out all the red, green, and blue Christmas bulbs, the red and gold ribbon and even that did not motivate me, so…I decided to scrap the whole “traditional” style and traditional colors and instead decorate Christmas in July in Summer Style, with a boho vibe of course!
I chose vibrant colors to apply loose painterly summer flowers on top of the IOD Mould Frame castings 2, using Diy Paint Co colors, Kissing Booth, Cowgirl Coral, Bead Board along with Queen Bee. The greenery consists of aviary and salty kiss because they are so highly pigmented. The colors really pop against the deep teal of the bohemian blue color.
You can create an entire collection with this same design and colors, grab some old glass (or even plastic) Christmas ornaments you are tired of and just apply paint to them to match! This is a great way to repurpose what you already have and create an entire collection with a cohesive look!
Head on over to Kelly’s Blog at Girl UPcycled Studio to see all details and products used to create this fun colorful Christmas decor that can be enjoyed by all flower enthusiasts! There are no rules saying you have to always decorate traditionally, what style of decor do YOU love the most, and how can you incorporate that into your Christmas decor during the season?
Visit Kelly at Girl UPCycled Studio
Transforming Christmas Scenes Painted on Wood into Sharable Cards
Renee Smith (link to bio)
Christmas in July. Whether you are celebrating Christmas in July or preparing for the upcoming Christmas season, one thing is given; everyone loves the personal connection that Christmas time embodies.
As early as I can remember, my dad strung the lights and decorated our home for Christmas. Every year those decorations became more elaborate as he moved from inside the house to along the fence that stretched his five-acre property. I’m sure if Mom had let him, he would have put it all out for Christmas in July!
People came from all around to see his lights and what new things he would add. That is what he loved most about Christmas—the connections and how it brought people together.
Personal connections and building relationships are what art is about. Hand-made or painted gifts are my favorite but not everyone has space for a piece of canvas art every year. While searching for a fun way to create gifts, I found these breadboards and plank boards at Hobby Lobby and knew they would make beautiful hand-painted home décor! Who doesn’t want a little snow to cool things off in July?
Knowing the breadboards could have a finish on them that the paint wouldn’t stick to, I sanded them back to bare walnut and put a coat of shellac on them to prevent bleed-through. Then, I grabbed my favorite paint colors and the winter scenes seemed to just flow onto them! Because they are small, I kept the painting simple, with a few snow-covered trees, a church, and snowmen—and a few tiny, red cardinals.
Once the paint dried, I sealed them with uv protective sealer. Knowing I had another project in mind for these, I placed them in my favorite spot for photos. I made sure my iPhone was set to most compatible for the highest quality photos, I put the painted boards in a well-lit area and took pictures that I would use for my next project, getting as close as possible to reduce the amount of cropping needed.
For the finishing touches on the breadboards, I added ribbon and a small ornament! Then I added hangers to the plank boards. Now I have one-of-a-kind gifts for the coming season!
Now for the 2nd part of the project. Remember how much joy getting Christmas cards in the mail brought to everyone? That’s the reason for the photos—to turn the art I had created into easy Christmas cards!
What is needed for easy Christmas cards—high-quality photos of the art, high-quality papers, and a printing service that understands your vision.
I used the photo of my art on the front of the cards, leaving the inside blank so I could write my own personal message. On the back of the card, I added one of my favorite Bible verses and a little note about my art.
A little side note—if you are creating easy Christmas cards and have a small business, the back of the card is an excellent place for your logo and QR code linking to your website where others can purchase your cards!
Now that I have my Christmas gifts and cards, I’m thinking about sending out a few now! Sending out love with a personal touch doesn’t have to be a once-a-year thing! Who will you be sending Christmas cards to this July?
Visit Renee at Rainy Day Vintage
Upcycled Christmas Projects to Beat the Heat
Karen Berg (link in bio)
The thermometer may tell you it’s HOT outside, and the calendar tells you it is time to head to the beach or lake, but before you embark on all your Summer fun, you may want to set aside some time to jump on Christmas! I have a few fun projects for you that you can make now with some of the things you might already have.
Gather your supplies; an empty aluminum can, an old board or cabinet door, and wood squares (you can find these at the dollar store or a craft store). With a little DIY 100% Clay Paint, some Scrap Book Paper, wrapping paper, or an IOD Transfer, you can whip up some unique Christmas Gifts and Decor faster than you can say, “They already put the Christmas Decorations out at Hobby Lobby in July!” I invite you to visit me on my blog for the full tutorial to do these projects!
Here are the finished projects, Christmas Coasters, Decorative Hanger, and Vintage Santa Artwork:
Spreading Holiday Cheer in the Middle of Summer
Laura Kottke (link to bio)
As we are well into summer and most likely hearing “I’m bored” from your kiddos, let’s engage them in a little “Christmas in July” project. This is a great way to immerse a little magic into their day with a fun and creative Dollar Store activity, showcasing their creative skills revolving around Christmas. Plus it’s another great way to bond! This blog will take you through this simple and enjoyable DIY adventure of making Christmas signs with a festive winter theme, all while it’s warm and sunny outside.
Materials Needed:
-three small wooden signs
-Chaulk paint/acrylic
-artist paint brushes (various sizes)
-archival black or brown ink pad
-small finger sponge dabbers (to use with ink pad)
-thin Sharpie ink pens
-scrapbook paper (solid colors/Christmas patterns)
-glue medium ( I use Meltdown by Paint Pixie or Modgepodge)
-ribbons or twine (optional)
-glitter (Christmas colors/optional)
-glue gun (optional)
Step-By-Step Guide:
Define the Design:
Sit down with your kids to brainstorm the design for the sign. Encourage them to think of their favorite Christmas or Holiday scene (snowman, Santa Claus, Christmas tree, presents, candy canes, snow scene, etc)
Prime and Paint:
Depending what is on the back of your signs, you can either cover it up with different paint colors (priming it) or scraps of scrapbook paper and then paint over the paper, creating layers. Let dry completely and begin your design. Here I created 3 separate signs cutting and tearing up paper to create a snowman, Santa Claus, and Christmas trees).
Gluing it down:
Once you have your design figured out and cut out/torn out you need to place it on the signs where you want them placed. Be sure to glue the bottom layers first and continue until all pieces are glued down.
Glitter
If you choose to add glitter, this is the stage. Once everything is glued and in place put your glitter where you think it will shine and be fun! Let both of these stages dry before moving on.
Adding detailed outlines:
Using a thin Sharpie, assist your kids in outlining the torn-out/cut paper pieces to make them more vibrant and defined. This step adds depth to the artwork and helps bring their imaginative creations to life. You can also add squiggles, dots, stars, gathered lines, etc to the pieces to add more character and depth to the pieces.
Ribbon/Twine:
At this point, if your sign doesn’t have a hanging attachment you can use the ribbon or twine instead. Decide which you’d like to use and simply turn the sign around and place the cut ribbon/twine an inch or two apart and glue two dots down and glue the ribbon/twine on those two spots. A hot glue gun would probably be the best option. Please make sure you are using the glue gun, it does get very hot and can burn your sweet kid’s fingers. You could also use the ribbon/twine to add a bow to a character if you created one or to put on top of presents if those were created as well.
The Christmas spirit is now in full swing at your home and you brought the joy of the holidays in, in the middle of July, this is a great way to create a new tradition during those summer months. By embracing this fun activity with supplies from the Dollar Store, you created a lasting memory and a bonding experience. This unique celebration is a way to continue to inspire your kids’ creativity and allow them to enjoy the magic of Christmas all year round. So grab those budget-friendly supplies and let the Christmas spirit shine throughout your home this summer!
