Have you been noticing all the fall, Halloween, and holiday decor that’s starting to appear in stores? I once asked about that when I was shopping in a Hobby Lobby, why they put holiday stuff out so early. They said that a lot of crafters start shopping during the summer months to be ready in time for the autumn and winter holidays. That made sense so now I don’t get so annoyed when I see those goods in the stores starting in mid-summer.
I always enjoy Christmas in July posts—it gets me thinking ahead to holidays. Before July is completely gone, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites. I’ve always admired Spode’s Christmas Tree dinnerware. I have a few pieces of this pattern, but not enough to set a table. They’ve stepped it up a notch by adding a tartan salad plate and I absolutely love that!
This set comes with 4 dinner plates, 4 tartan salad plates, 4 cereal bowls, and 4 mugs, all for just $99! I would love to add this set to my holiday dishware collection! You’ll find it available here: Spode Christmas Tartan Dinneware Set.
I love how Pottery Barn almost always has a big turkey tureen or turkey centerpiece available for Thanksgiving each year. This guy measures 12.5″ w x 11.25″ d x 11″ h
He also happens to be on sale right now. You’ll find him here: Turkey Tureen.
PB has a slightly different turkey tureen design available for this year. This year’s turkey measures 11.25″ x 8.5″ x 10.75.” The feathers appear to be slightly more defined than last year’s, or that could just be the lighting. You’ll find more detailed pictures of this fall’s turkey tureen here: Turkey Tureen.
How about gift ideas for Christmas? I’m sure I’ll do a full post on that much closer to Christmas, but for now, here are a few of my fool-proof favorites that I’ve gifted in the past and were always big hits. My grandsons love this Lego Creator set that I gave them when I returned to the Dollhouse a month or so ago. It makes the most adorable critters, and they are substantial! I was surprised how heavy the cat was when I was visiting and picked it up. You’ll find this adorable set available here: Lego Creator Set: Makes a Cat, Dog, and Bird.
I often include this Cornhold game set in any holiday gift idea post. I’ve given it as a gift twice now, and it was another hit. You’ll find the full set, including the bean bags here: Cornhole Boards with Bean Bags.
I love, love, love this weather station, so much so, I have three in the Georgia house (had four but stole one to bring to Ohio) and three here in the Dollhouse in Ohio. In addition to be helpful before heading outside, it’s beautiful to see on a table or kitchen counter. You’ll find it available here: Weather Station.
Of course, an adjustable/tilt Puzzle Board makes a great gift for anyone who enjoy doing puzzles. It’s a true back saver and let’s me work on a puzzle much longer than when I used to have to bend over a table. After seeing other boards come out over the years, this one is still my favorite. You’ll find it available here: Puzzle Board.
If you give the gift of a puzzle board, top the gift off with a wonderful puzzle. This is one of my favorites and would be fun to do in the dead of winter when we are all dreaming of summer breezes! The White Mountain 1,000-piece puzzles are my absolute favorite because the pieces are large, so they almost completely fill up the puzzle board. I usually leave my puzzles on my puzzle board to look at and enjoy for several days—a little additional art for my office. You’ll find this puzzle available here: Summer Breeze Puzzle.
Here’s one more beautiful puzzle to consider giving as a gift, or to enjoy for yourself. You’ll find this beautiful puzzle available here: Beach Lighthouse and Sunset Puzzle.
Update: I just ordered this puzzle that’s perfect for lovers of classic literature. It features scenes and characters from the books A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Little Women, Narnia, and Scrooge. It is currently on sale for $16.82, plus there’s a 30% off coupon. That brought the price down to $12.65, including tax! You’ll find the Book Lover’s Puzzle available here: A Book Lover’s Christmas Puzzle.
I would really like this adorable National Lampoon ‘Christmas Vacation’ kitty for my movie room. She has sold out at Christmastime during previous years, and the eBay sellers are asking ridiculous prices for one, even in July! Well, the joke is on them because she is back in stock now and for much less than they are asking! I’m trying to make myself wait for a sale, but I’m a little worried she’ll sell out again. Also, shipping is free now on some items, including Miss Kitty. So maybe I should get her now. If you see this cutie go on sale, please let me know. In the meantime, you’ll find her back in stock here: Cat Pillow.
Pottery Barn has come out with the prettiest woodland forest-themed dinnerware this year! The designs and colors are so pretty! Spode Woodland is still my favorite for Thanksgiving, but this one is beautiful! You’ll find it available here: Woodland Forest Dinnerware.
Hope you enjoyed this bit of holiday fun, mid-summer. I’m getting excited thinking about decorating for fall this year!
Susan, grab that kitty pillow!! It’s adorable and you said that it’s sold out previous years and even more $$ on ebay. So why wait for a sale? That new fall dish ware is gorgeous too. And yes, the bit of holidays in July is quite fun.
Always tempting me Susan !
I am one of the people who liked early Christmas displays because I am a floral designer who used to do craft shows. I always loved markdowns after the season, but now I am older and wondering if I can use up all my treasures! Recently, I became aware that baskets and pottery have become ridiculously priced. Our baskets are now “vintage” priced. Think twice before donating. I used to tell my one and only child “Your inheritance is in the ornaments”
Love those Christmas dishes…but have an huge amount of Pfaltzgraff Christmas Heirloom. And all the serving pieces, candlesticks, etc. They have discontinued that pattern, but I still love it. Use it every day from Thanksgiving to New Years! Now downsized I have more than we need as I used to have enough to display in the china closest! May start to weed out…I don’t mind the early holiday displays. Always looking for something new for the next season.
Well, just yesterday I finally ordered something I’ve been hunting for a long time. One day at Homegoods I purchased a 20-piece flatware set from Spode in the Woodland pattern. It’s beautiful and very Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) oriented. Unfortunately, I took the last one. No other stores had it, and I found a listing on Amazon, but it was out of stock. I put it on my wish list in 2014. I have been periodically doing online searches to see if it pops up, and Ebay has listings, but the prices are for ONE piece, almost what I paid for the whole set, no thank you. Yesterday, I was doing my usual search, and it came up! On Amazon and even in Walmart! I ordered it immediately, and now, after waiting for 11 YEARS, I will finally have it for this Thanksgiving. It’s only July, but I guess the early bird catches the worm!! It’s never too soon to start holiday shopping.
little late for this comment! That is partially true what they told you at Hobby Lobby about the holiday displays, but mostly the big box stores have a dedicated space for seasonal/holiday merchandise, and once the summer items are gone (think June) the next holiday of any size is Christmas, so it goes out then.