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It's Time for a Mid-Year Check on Your Christmas Wishlist!

It might only be July, but now is the perfect time to revisit your Christmas wishlist. 

Whether you’re the kind of person who’s had a festive spreadsheet since Boxing Day, or someone who scribbled a few vague ideas on the back of an envelope, a mid-year wishlist check can save you stress, money and disappointment come December.

Here’s why, and how, to do a quick mid-year review of your Christmas wishlist:

Why Bother With a Mid-Year Wishlist Check?

1. Your Priorities May Have Changed

Six months is a long time, new hobbies, lifestyle shifts, or even household changes might mean that gadget you wanted in January no longer fits your needs. Reassess what you truly want or need now.

2. Spreading the Cost

Reviewing your wishlist now gives you the chance to start buying (or suggesting) presents early. This spreads the financial outlay and avoids last-minute panic purchases.

3. Letting Others Know

Friends and family often appreciate a few hints. Updating your wishlist early gives them time to shop smart, take advantage of sales, or even make something personal and meaningful.

4. Avoiding Duplicates

Bought something for yourself already that was on your list? Great – now take it off. A mid-year check avoids accidental gift duplication.

How to Do a Mid-Year Wishlist Review

Step 1: Locate Your Current List

Whether it’s a notes app, wishlist website, or just a handwritten letter to Father Christmas, dig it out and read through.

Step 2: Review What You’ve Already Bought

You may have treated yourself since the new year. Tick those items off your wishlist, and give yourself a pat on the back!

Step 3: Re-Evaluate Your Wants and Needs

Ask yourself:

Do I still want this?

Will I actually use it?

Does it fit my current lifestyle or interests?

Step 4: Add New Inspirations

Seen a new cookbook, gadget, subscription, or homeware item you’d love? Add it now while it's fresh in your mind.

Step 5: Organise by Budget

Sort your wishlist items into price categories, under £20, under £50, splurge items, and so on. It helps others when shopping for you – and helps you too if you’re doing a “one for me, one for them” strategy!

Step 6: Share It (Gently!)

If your loved ones appreciate hints, share a link to your list or mention a few things you’re currently eyeing up. It doesn’t need to be pushy – just a casual “I’ve updated my wishlist if you’re looking for ideas.”

Bonus Tip: Start a “Gifting Ideas” List for Others

While you’re reviewing your own list, jot down ideas for the people you’ll be shopping for. Noticing what they’ve talked about recently or enjoyed over the summer makes your Christmas gifting far easier (and more personal) later on.

Final Thought

Doing a mid-year Christmas wishlist check doesn’t have to take long, but it can make your festive season more thoughtful, more budget-friendly, and less rushed. It’s also a great way to refocus on the joy of giving and receiving – something we could all do with a little more of year-round.

So go on, pop on a Christmas playlist (or just a cosy cuppa), and spend 20 minutes checking in on your wishlist, today.

Oak Furnitureland's Christmas 2025 Trend Predictions

This festive season, top home retailer, Oak Furnitureland, predicts that the most inspiring interiors will feel like a warm embrace, layered with texture, filled with personality, and designed to spark joy. 

The Christmas 2025 Lookbook unveils two absolutely gorgeous and beautifully styled festive stories, setting the tone for the season's top trends. 

Expect a blend of comfort and creativity, from richly crafted neutrals to expressive bursts of colour, each look designed to inspire personal, joy-filled spaces.

The imagery is anchored by two key trends:

1. Christmas Cocoa: A cosy blend of neutrals and nostalgia

 “This season, we're embracing a softer side of festive styling. Our Christmas Cocoa look brings together warm neutrals, natural textures, and layered comfort to create a sense of calm and nostalgia. From the plush Eastley chaise sofa bed, perfect for hosting overnight guests, to the dark-stained Oliver sideboard and mango wood Noah coffee table, every piece is chosen to balance function with timeless beauty. It's a look that celebrates slow living, subtle elegance and the simple joy of a cosy, characterful home at Christmas”  Elena Mellowes, Head of Buying at Oak Furnitureland told That's Christmas 365.

The Eastley chaise sofa bed in muted green offers versatility for festive hosting, paired with the Noah mango wood coffee table and the fluted oak and marble Oliver sideboard for a balance of style and substance.

Subtle seasonal touches such as velvet bows, earthy paper decorations, and vintage-style ornaments bring warmth and charm to the space. The Halle chair adds a refined, sculptural accent, perfectly complementing the neutral palette.

2. Playful Spirit: Christmas dining bursting with colourful creativity

“Playful Spirit is all about joy, spontaneity and personality. We've brought together expressive colour, tactile textures, and handcrafted details to spark festive creativity. The ceramic-topped Venice dining table becomes the heart of celebration, paired with bottle green Bette chairs for a rich, seasonal feel. The arched Belgrave oak sideboard and oxblood kitchen shelving create a warm backdrop for statement glassware, stripey crackers and vintage-inspired décor. This is a look that embraces imperfection, invites conversation, and makes every gathering feel vibrant and joyful,” Elena went on to tell us.

This kitchen-diner celebrates colour, imperfection and festive fun. The ceramic-topped Venice dining table becomes a creative centrepiece, styled with Bette chairs in bottle green velvet, stripey crackers and layered linens.

The arched Belgrave oak sideboard and Alexander chair add to the eclectic feel, styled with cocktail glassware and handmade decorations for a personal, playful touch.

Oak Furnitureland's Christmas 2025 collection celebrates laid-back luxury and thoughtful design, encouraging everyone to create festive spaces that feel personal, inviting, and full of meaning.

For further information or to buy online go to www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk. For inspiration, the latest news, and style advice follow @oak_furniture_land on Instagram, @oak_furnitureland on TikTok, or 'oakfurnitureland' on Pinterest.  

Hope spring announces the launch of ecard for people of the Christian faith

Hereford based charity digital greetings card platform Hope spring ecard, has today announced the launch of a new set of ecards. 

The announcement was made in a blog post on their website, posted on Tuesday the 1st of July. The new eCards are specifically designed for people of the Christian faith, and are available to send for free or for a donation to the charity.

The ecards include two distinct categories; Christian birthday ecards and a category that seems obvious, but new to the platform nonetheless, Christian Christmas eCards. 

The new Christian ecard range was the brainchild of platform manager Seun Olonade and one of the volunteer greetings card designers on the platform, Wendy Samuel. The two women are devout Christians.

In the announcement posted on Hope Spring eCard blog, Seun Olonade told That's Christmas 365: “I first began to think about the Christian ecard range last Christmas, when we were designing Christmas ecards”. 

She went on to say: “I observed that none of our designs uses the word God or Jesus, which are important to Christmas, if you are to send meaningful Christmas greetings, after all, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth.”

A total of twenty Christian birthday eCards are starting the category of the same name, only ten to start the Christian Christmas category, with a minimum of fifty more Christian themed Christmas cards added in time for Christmas 2025.

Hope Spring eCard platform is one of the most successful fundraisers for Hope Spring water charity. The platform was launched about five years ago, with hundreds of new ecards added each year. Find out more information about the charity at their website or social media pages.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

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Hosting the Perfect Christmas in July Party: Festive Fun with a Summery Twist

Who says Christmas cheer is only for December? Hosting a Christmas in July party is a brilliant way to spread festive joy during the warmer months. 

Whether you want to shake up your summer social calendar or just miss the magic of the festive season, here's how to plan the perfect mid-year Yuletide celebration, complete with twinkling lights, icy cocktails, and a dash of tinsel-covered fun.

Why Host a Christmas in July Party?

In the UK, we don't usually get snow on Christmas Day, so celebrating in July means you can enjoy the spirit of the season without worrying about frostbite. It’s a cheeky, cheerful way to bring people together for food, drink and festive games—without the pressures of gift-buying or crowded shops.

Setting the Scene: Decor Ideas

Go all out with a mash-up of festive and summery décor:

Christmas lights strung across your garden or your patio

Inflatable Santas in sunglasses

A beach ball “snowman” and palm trees wrapped in tinsel

Red and green bunting, fairy lights, and snowflake confetti on tables

You could even set a dress code: think Hawaiian shirts with Santa hats, or summer dresses with jingle bell jewellery.

Festive Food and Drink (with a Summer Spin)

Forget the heavy roast—this is your chance to reinvent traditional Christmas flavours with warm-weather flair:

Savoury ideas:

Turkey and cranberry sliders

Pigs in blankets on skewers with mustard dip

Cold roasted veggie platters with festive dips

BBQ with seasonal spice rubs (clove, cinnamon, ginger)

Sweet treats:

Frozen Yule log slices

Strawberry “Christmas puddings”

Mince pie ice cream

Drinks:

Frozen mulled wine slushies

Cranberry mojitos

Eggnog milkshakes

Mocktail punch with red fruits, mint and soda

Entertainment and Activities

What’s a Christmas party without games and music?

Festive karaoke with Christmas classics

A “Secret Santa” gift exchange with summer-themed presents

Christmas quiz with a twist, include questions about British summer holidays and Christmas traditions

Garden games like sack races, limbo, or “pin the nose on Rudolph”

You could even do a Christmas movie screening under the stars, think The Holiday or Elf with blankets and popcorn.

Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches

Send out playful invites—digital cards with a beachy Santa or snowflake sunscreen theme

Hand out Christmas cracker sunglasses or mini fans as party favours

Set up a “photo booth” with silly props like reindeer antlers and inflatable candy canes

Final Tip: Make It Charitable

Since Christmas is also about giving, consider adding a charity element. Ask guests to bring a donation for a local food bank or charity shop, ‘tis the season, even in July!

Whether you're roasting marshmallows instead of chestnuts or singing carols in your sandals, a Christmas in July party is the perfect excuse to add some sparkle to the summer. Go ahead—deck the halls (and the garden fence) and jingle all the way into your new favourite seasonal tradition!

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