Christmas in July

History of the Holiday

While “Christmas in July” is not an official holiday, the celebration began as a fun way to satisfy the craving for cooler weather and holiday cheer that many people experience during the hottest month of the year. Although some people insist “Christmas in July” should be celebrated on July 25, it should be noted that June 25 is actually the date that is halfway to Christmas. Therefore, it’s perfectly acceptable to celebrate anytime during the month of July.

Contrary to popular belief, “Christmas in July” isn’t just limited to the celebrations in the United States. In Australia, Christmas falls in the summer and July is one of the coldest months of the year. This gives people the opportunity to hold a “Half Christmas” event to mimic the traditional northern Christmas.

Marketing the Christmas Holiday

In the United States, July is a slow month for most retail businesses. Therefore, “Christmas in July” is mostly used as an excuse to justify sales, discounts, and special promotions. Hallmark unveils their Christmas ornament collection in July and the television shopping channel QVC airs special programming devoted to the idea of getting prepared for Christmas.

For the ambitious and highly organized, “Christmas in July” provides the perfect opportunity to get a head start on preparing for the holiday season. Whether you decide to start making handmade gifts, addressing a few Christmas cards, or shopping for gifts, any tasks that can be completed early will help reduce your stress level on December 1.

Celebrating “Christmas in July”

In some cities, there are nightclubs that throw “Christmas in July” parties that are open to the general public. However, if you want to throw your party, dig out your holiday decorations and choose a fun selection of Christmas music to get your guests in the mood to celebrate. You can also exchange small gifts or play a winter-themed party game. However, skip the traditional Christmas food in favor of summertime treats like ice cream, watermelon, popsicles, or fresh fruit.

If having a party seems like too much work, celebrate “Christmas in July” by watching one of the following movies:

• Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July is a fun cartoon that describes how Frosty the Snowman and his family receive magic amulets to keep them from melting until the Fourth of July.
• Christmas in July describes how William Powell is mistakenly led to believe he has won $25,000 in a jingle writing contest. He spends the money on presents and treats for all the children in his neighborhood. It’s not a traditional Christmas movie, but it’s still quite entertaining.

If you have children at home, get into the holiday spirit by reading All Is Well: The Miracle of Christmas in July. Written by Frank Peretti, this book is the charming story of how Daniel and his mother must sell a box of old Christmas ornaments to help pay the rent after the family falls on hard times.