It’s July, the sun is shining, and right now the only things on my radar are beaches, beer gardens, finding ways to keep my home cool and … Christmas?!
In the interiors world, and magazine world for that matter, Christmas in July is quite normal. As a journalist, I’m used to previewing baubles and tinsel in 30-degree summer heat. But this year, Christmas in July seems to be spilling into a home decor trend, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Is July too early to start thinking about Christmas? Is thinking about the festivities now proof of a pro planner, or is it a gimmicky excuse to spend money? The Ideal Home team is split – and we need you to help us decide.
As someone who works in media, I’m well accustomed to the concept of Christmas in July. It’s the time of year when all the brands hold previews for their A/W and Christmas collections, and while it might seem early to some, I’ve become a fan of the time it gives me to get my Christmas decorating ideas in order and start getting prepped for the festive season.
As someone with expensive taste but a small budget, starting my Christmas prep in July not only means I can spread out the expense of buying new decorations and gifts, but I can also usually buy last season’s decorations at bargain prices. The best time to buy Christmas decorations on sale is in January, but there are still deals to be had in July. This year, I’ve spotted bargains at The White Company, with decorations going for under £5, and Balsam Hill is also holding massive sales on its gorgeous faux Christmas trees.
I love going all out on my decorations, so starting my Christmas planning and shopping in July is my savvy trick to make sure I can achieve that in December
If you love The White Company, but not their prices, now is a great time to grab a bargain on their Christmas shop. These stylish paper baubles won’t go out of style.
Balsam Hill is responsible for producing some of the best artificial Christmas trees and is right now offering huge savings on its best trees.
Now is also a good time to assess your storage solutions ahead of the festivities. It can make unpacking and repacking decorations way more simple and efficient.
I’ll start by saying that I completely agree that shopping out of season is a great opportunity to snap up sale bargains that are likely to go back up in price for Christmas. I’ve also been known for starting my Christmas present shopping in the summer months because it prevents last-minute panic buying and spreads the cost of Christmas over a few months – which I know my bank balance really appreciates.
But can we stop wishing the summer away? I know it’s been a hot one, but every time I go on TikTok or Instagram, I’m bombarded with nostalgic videos yearning for Christmas and cosy season. I hate the cold, and I’m not one to wish my life away – please, can we stop?
In June, EastEnders had one of its core characters celebrate ‘half Christmas’ complete with a decorated tree and turkey dinner, and it made me feel quite unwell. I’m all for sourcing a bargain, but I’m starting to feel like I can’t escape Christmas in July, and do we really need another excuse to spend money?
If you’ve actually snapped up a festive bargain, fair play, but to me, Christmas in July is just another sales trick to make you part with your hard-earned cash.
What do you think?
If ants have been plaguing your garden this summer, diatomaceous earth (£14.45, Amazon) is the all-natural solution I’m recommending to gardeners, and it works just as well as white vinegar.
If you’ve been looking to make the most of your garden this summer, it can be a little disheartening to see trails of ants making themselves at home on your patio. While there are many ways to get rid of ants, this pest control-approved method is completely natural and organic.
Diatomaceous earth is an effective pest control measure, but it’s really important to buy the correct type. Here’s everything you need to know and how to use it.
It may have a fancy scientific name, but diatomaceous earth is simply the microscopic remains of ancient aquatic sea life.
‘Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring powder made from the fossilised remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. It looks and feels like a fine white dust, but under a microscope, it is razor-sharp. It is one of the few natural pest control products that pest professionals genuinely rate, though most consumers buy the wrong type and wonder why it does not work,’ says Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner, EcoCare Pest Management.
‘This is the detail most guides leave out. There are two main grades: food-grade and filter-grade. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is what you want for pest control. Filter-grade, often sold for pool filtration, has been chemically treated and is far less effective as a deterrent and potentially harmful to inhale. Always buy food-grade and check the label before purchasing.’
It’s really easy to use diatomaceous earth to get rid of ants from a patio, and it won’t get in the way of your garden ideas.
To use diatomaceous earth, you need to apply a thin layer to entry points, windowsills, doorways and basically anywhere you’ve spotted ants congregating. You’ll want to apply a fine layer, as ants will simply avoid walking over too thick a layer. Remember, diatomaceous earth stops working when wet, so you’ll need to reapply when it rains.
‘The microscopic sharp edges of the particles pierce the waxy outer coating of an ant’s exoskeleton as it walks through the powder, causing it to dehydrate and die. It is a purely physical process rather than a chemical one, which means ants cannot build resistance to it the way they eventually do to some chemical products,’ adds Mosh.
‘The main limitation is that it kills individual ants rather than addressing the colony, so it works best as part of a broader approach rather than a standalone solution. For outdoor use or as a preventative barrier inside, it is genuinely worth using.’
If you want to reclaim your garden from ants this summer, diatomaceous earth is the all-natural solution that’s safe to use around pets and kids. It’s cheap and will get the job done.
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