Step 272: Buy stuff for next Christmas now

Seriously. Now is the time to buy decor, Christmas lights, wrapping paper and little gifty things (oh, hello, Anthropologie online sale). Put all these things in a box, then tape it shut and label it CHRISTMAS 2013. Your future self will be so, so proud of you.
Also, this doesn’t just work for Christmas. This trick applies to just about any commercialized holiday.