The festive spirit of Christmas doesn’t need to be confined to just one annual visit: That’s the essence of “Christmas in July.” Contrary to the belief that this July celebration was concocted by retailers or greeting card producers to stimulate sales during the summer lull, the story is quite different.
It’s said that the first “Christmas in July” was observed in 1933 at a girls’ summer camp in North Carolina. Keystone Camp in Brevard chose to celebrate the holiday over two days, July 24th and 25th, complete with simulated snow, a decorated tree, a gift swap, and, naturally, Santa Claus.
The idea gained traction in popular culture with the 1940 film “Christmas in July,” which featured a man being tricked into believing he’d won a $25,000 prize, leading to a spree of generosity, including his proposal to a long-term partner. By the 1950s, retailers had caught on, and today, “Christmas in July” sales are a major event.
Although the first “Christmas in July” was held at Keystone Camp on the 24th and 25th, there is no official date for this joyful occasion. Lately, it’s been celebrated throughout the month, from marathon holiday movie sessions to door-buster sales, with Christmas fully alive in July.
Early shoppers use the “Christmas in July” sales to get a head start on their December gift purchases. Yet, there are additional perks to this celebration. Immersing oneself in snowy scenes and reading “The Polar Express” might actually help combat the summer heat. Truly.
“Reading about cold can distract you from the heat, bringing to mind personal experiences with ice and snow,” explains Walter A. Brown, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Brown and Tufts University medical schools, and an expert in the placebo effect. “It’s also a form of self-hypnosis.”
If you’re looking to embrace the holiday mood, consider attending the “Christmas in July” 5K Run in Fresno, California. West Jefferson, North Carolina, and Chalfont, Pennsylvania, are renowned for their “Christmas in July” festivals. And in Texas, the Dallas Arboretum invites Santa Claus in July.
If you wish to gather your family and friends to celebrate Christmas on July 24th and 25th, here’s how to do it properly:
You don’t need to unpack all your holiday decorations. Drape fairy lights around your trees, backyard, or living room. If you have a mini artificial tree, adorn it with summery, whimsical decorations like seashells, flip-flops, colorful umbrellas, and a starfish on top.
Your elf can engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor pranks (like lounging by the pool or creating a snowman out of snow cones). Plus, who wouldn’t appreciate a little help keeping the little ones in check?
There’s no bad time to show your loved ones some holiday cheer with a small gift exchange. If you want to take it a step further, consider hosting a summer secret Santa. The rules are straightforward: set a budget, have one non-participant assign everyone else a secret Santa, and then gather to reveal who your secret Santa was, offering gifts that remind you of them.
Craft “gingerbread” s’mores houses using graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, and savor them. Swap out sledding for a classic Slip-n-Slide (or make your own). Prepare frozen hot chocolate. Sing your favorite Christmas carols, and stream some top Christmas films on Netflix. You’ll be in the holiday spirit, regardless of the temperature outside.
