Christmas in July
Mary Jo Johnston • July 10, 2026

Christmas in July: Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Cards!



Who says Christmas crafting has to wait until December? Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to pull out your favorite holiday supplies and start building a stash of handmade cards before the busy holiday season arrives. A little creativity now means less stress later, and more time to enjoy everything that makes the holidays so special.


For the first card in my Christmas in July collection, I'm using the beautiful Pretty Little Studio Sugar Plum Holiday papers and die cuts, and the Candy Cane Collection polka dot paper.  These two collections and their soft colors make just as much of a statement as traditional reds and greens. The sweet pink confetti background creates a playful, festive foundation while the layered oval frame draws your eye to the gorgeous floral holiday collage. Delicate roses, festive greenery, ornaments, and candy canes come together for a fresh take on Christmas that feels elegant and whimsical all at once.


To add dimension, I used an adorable candy cane die cut as the focal point, layering it over the floral arrangement before finishing the design with a simple "Christmas candy" sentiment strip. The combination of soft pinks, rich holiday florals, and classic candy cane accents creates a card that's both cheerful and unique.


If you've been thinking about getting ahead on your Christmas crafting, now is the perfect time. Creating just a few cards each week throughout the summer means you'll have a wonderful collection ready to mail when the holiday season arrives. You'll be able to spend more time enjoying family traditions and less time rushing to finish your handmade cards.


So grab your favorite holiday papers, turn on some Christmas music (even if it's July!), and start creating. Your future holiday self will thank you! Happy crafting! 🎄💕


Mary Jo Johnston
Hi, I'm Mary Jo Johnston, and I've been paper crafting for more than 20 years. What began as a love for creating scrapbook pages quickly evolved into a passion for cardmaking. I enjoy every part of the creative process, from selecting papers and embellishments to layering the final details that bring a project to life. My favorite part is sharing those handmade creations, giving away one-of-a-kind works of art and being able to brighten someone's day or celebrate life's meaningful moments. I'm beyond excited to be designing for Pretty Little Studio and sharing creative inspiration using their beautiful collections.