Planning ahead has its benefits. You may not be thinking about the holidays in the middle of summertime, but it might be a smart habit to create. Taking a moment to think about the holidays as early as July can help you reduce holiday stress and make your next holiday season the best yet.

There are some key things you can do in July that will help set the tone for your next holiday season. Take a look at 3 things you can do in summer to make your holidays easier.

#1. Update your calendar- Taking a look at your holiday calendar can help you determine what dates need to be set aside for your ideal holiday. Do you want to take a vacation during the holidays? Mark the time off now and book any accommodations or activities well in advance. This can help you save time and money. Tickets for airlines tend to be cheaper the earlier you buy and there is generally more availability for hotels and excursions when you book early.

#2. Get some shopping done- If you know there are certain items your family will want this holiday season, take advantage of the summertime sales during the Fourth of July weekend. Getting some of your shopping out of the way will create more time for better things once the holidays roll around, plus you will ensure there is plenty of selection of big-ticket items you don’t want to miss out on.

#3. Make the big decisions- If you are going to be hosting the holiday it’s a good time to make big decisions early. The sooner you decide what your holiday will look like, who will be coming, and begin to connect the dots, the better. You can reach out to distant family who need to make travel arrangements to give them notice about the plans. If you are going to do anything radically different, it’s also a good time to decide and let anyone know who may be affected. Giving plenty of notice can ease any ruffled feathers that might be caused otherwise.

It’s never too early to plan. Taking some time mid-summer to plan for your holiday season can ease the stress down the line. Making the big decisions, locking down important dates and reservations, and grabbing those big-ticket items can take a huge load off your plate come the holiday season.