Christmas In July

Isn’t Christmas Six Months Away?

It’s summertime, and while most enjoy the sunny weather, traveling, and outdoor activities, I can’t stop thinking about Christmas (and Hanukkah). That’s right, it’s time to celebrate Christmas in July! This quirky holiday tradition has been around for decades but has gained popularity recently. Many people love celebrating the holiday season twice yearly, especially when it means breaking out their favorite festive events and indulging in some wintery treats during the hot summer months. I’m diving into the history behind Christmas in July and exploring some fun ways you can join in on the festivities.

The History Behind Christmas in July

I was misguided in my belief that my uncle invented Christmas in July. According to legend, the first Christmas in July dates back 84 years. It occurred at a girls’ camp called Keystone Camp in Brevard, N.C. On July 24th—25th, the camp co-founder gave the names of the cabins tied into Christmas. The Jr. and Sr. campers were called Elves and Pixies.

The event included carolers, a tree, Santa Claus, and cotton-made fake snow. Campers made stockings out of their laundry bags. Years later, they added a gift exchange.

My aunt and uncle celebrated Christmas my entire life. It was more for joy and not in a religious sense. Before moving to Florida, we visited them in Fort Lauderdale every December. My uncle had his office party. He would dress up as Santa and decorate his office with a Christmas tree and lights. Of course, he also included a charitable component and had his guests bring non-perishables to donate to a local food bank. Because everyone’s calendars were full, he moved it to July. Thus, Christmas in July.

Hallmark’s Christmas in July

It must be official when Hallmark runs its annual Christmas in July with releases of its most popular Christmas movies. It’s like Christmas all over again for those who love Hallmark movies. The Hallmark channel runs a lineup of classic holiday films and new premieres. And clearly, I am not the only one who enjoys this annual event. Many movies saw record-breaking ratings, with an average of 3 million viewers per night.

Hallmark’s Christmas in July begins on Saturday, June 29th, with Falling Like Snowflakes.  You can watch Christmas movies every day, from 9 am to midnight through the end of the month. On Saturday,  July 8th, Three Wise Men and A Baby, one of the highest-rated Hallmark original Christmas movies, will air with an extended cut. You can watch Christmas movies from 10 am to midnight every day in July. Three new movies airing in July are Rescuing Christmas on July 13th, A Very Vermont Christmas on July 20th, and An Ice Palace Romance on July 27th.

Start Your Shopping

July is when I start my holiday shopping. Getting to the commercial aspect of the month could give you a jumpstart on holiday shopping by taking advantage of some great sales. You’ll find July 4th sales at Walmart, Macy’s, Target, Old Navy, Wayfair and more. Nordstrom starts their biggest fashion event on July 15th. Amazon’s Prime Day will take place in July. I have already gotten a jump start on my holiday shopping. Spreading out my gift purchases allows me to avoid spending much money in one month.  It is a great time to try to save on the items you already know you are buying for the holidays. Sales will continue throughout the rest of the year as many retailers start unloading inventory.

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