In the dog days of summer, as we bask in the warm glow of the sun and relish the fact that August hasn’t even begun yet, it might seem strange and premature to be thinking about Christmas. But then, who said that Christmas couldn’t be a biannual event – especially given how much we all love the trimmings and trappings of our conventionally timed Christmas? Indeed, Christmas in July is actually a booming global phenomenon with a decades-old history and its own host of spectacular customs, and so we’re not alone in our enthusiasm for a balmy, beachy holiday.
But where – and when – did Christmas in July originate? Was it the work of a devious marketing department, or (as is actually the case) is it something much more innocent and nostalgic? How is it celebrated around the world, and what does Zazzle have planned? Our consultations with Sunta Claus on these matters have proven quite fruitful, and thus we’ve been able to come up with the following answers to your frequently asked Christmas in July questions.
What Is Christmas in July?
In general, Christmas in July is popular among people living in the Southern hemisphere. South of the Equator, Decembers are hot and humid, while July and August are appropriately wintery. As a result, countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have begun to stage Christmas celebrations in July, so that the weather is suitably cold and cozy (and more closely resembles the oil lamp scenes featured on the front of most Christmas cards).
Naturally, then, Christmas in July holds particular resonance for those who previously lived in the Northern hemisphere but then moved to Southern climes, as LifeJourney4Two suggests. Unable to adapt to the thought of Christmas at the seaside, these residents have embraced the July holiday, as it evokes that “Christmassy feel.” However, Christmas has its own midsummer history in the U.S., as we’re about to find out.
How Did Christmas in July Start?
The most common version of this story dates back to 1933. Keystone Camp, an all-girls summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina, decided to hold a Christmas-themed event on the 24th and 25th of July. Carolers were enlisted, cotton was used as fake snow, and even Santa Claus made a cameo appearance – all at the request of camp co-founder, Fannie Holt. Current camp director Page Ives Lemel speculates that Holt wanted to “remedy how much camp friends missed each other during the winter holidays” – as Keystone was a summer camp, the girls never got to spend Christmas together. Holt has also been described as a “whimsical, dreaming, creative type” by Lemel, so it’s unsurprising that she initiated such a unique tradition (and one that continues to this day).
There is another story, however, that may explain why Christmas in July has seen a particular resurgence in recent decades. In the 1980s, a group of Irish tourists were supposedly vacationing in the Blue Mountains, Sydney. When they encountered the unsociable weather – which was typical for Australia in July – they were beset by feelings of homesickness and reminders of Christmases past. In response, the savvy proprietor of their hotel set up an impromptu Christmas party, which he called ‘Yulefest.’ This quirky creation may be read as the predecessor to Christmas in July, and it may even explain why the holiday holds such sway among those who have emigrated to countries in the Southern hemisphere.
How to Celebrate Christmas in July
Nowadays, Christmas in July is also an opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping, taking advantage of the many online and in-store sales, or sourcing items that would be difficult to find on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. However, as we’ve seen, Christmas in July has been, from the very start, about fun, good company, and merriment. Given the clement weather and the knowledge that the fall semester doesn’t commence for at least another month, here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of this July jamboree.
Decorate Your Home
Some of the best Christmas in July activities are those that we normally do in December, but with a tropical twist. Decorate a tree – and not necessarily a pine tree – with ornaments, but use brighter pastels or vacation photos, rather than the darker reds and greens of winter. In December, a Christmas tree usually takes pride of place in your living room, but a Christmas in July tree could be situated outdoors, allowing it to soak up the summer sun. You can also hang balloons, bunting, and banners along the mantel and banisters to evoke that fun, celebratory atmosphere.
Create a Playlist
Holiday playlists are an important part of what makes Christmas, well, Christmas. But instead of “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland,” “Last Christmas,” or “Jingle Bell Rock” this time, think “Walking on Sunshine,” “Cruel Summer,” or “Surfin’ U.S.A.” Rather than a tipsy Christmas sing-along, opt for a karaoke session on a long, hot summer’s night, and swap out that mulled wine and eggnog for fruity cocktails or chilled wine in a customized bottle.
Take a Road Trip
Most winter road trips need to be postponed due to icy conditions – unless it’s a last-minute dash to be home for the holidays, à la Home Alone (1990) or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987). However, in July, there are numerous events taking place across the U.S., as Delish points out. Illinois is home to a Santa’s Village that has been running since 1959, along with the nation’s first Christmas theme park. The world’s largest Christmas store – larger than a football field – is based in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and you can even drop in on Santa Claus himself in North Pole, Alaska. Not bad for a month we ordinarily associate with the Olympics and the 4th of July, right?
Have a Christmas Movie Marathon
Speaking of Home Alone: some of the world’s most beloved movies are also holiday classics (as we found when we ranked our “Best Classic Christmas Movies of All Time”). If you’ve seen Charlie Brown discover the true meaning of Christmas one too many times, however, then tune into the Hallmark Channel for the last hours of their Hallmark Christmas in July Marathon. Their month-long schedule consists of all-new movies produced solely for this summer celebration, and while the actors’ names might not be big, the emotions on display certainly are.
Exchange Gifts
The prospect of a second shopping season in the second half of the year might sound daunting, but trust us, you don’t need to blow your kids’ LEGO budget all in one go. Aim for small stocking-fillers in July, but instead of warm and cozy gloves, scarves, and hats, try cool and breezy sunglasses, sandals, and beach towels – practical items that are more in line with the season (and like those you might find in the two articles we’ve linked in the thumbnails below). Furthermore, rather than leaving everyone’s present under the tree on, say, July 25th, you could exchange them at a backyard barbecue, pool party, or family picnic. You can find more event ideas in these articles: “Ways to Mark the End of Summer (Before School Starts)” and “25 Indoor & Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids.”
How Does Zazzle Celebrate Christmas in July?
Given our interest in the topic, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that we at Zazzle have our own plans for this festive period. Not only do the Christmas in July sales coincide with our midsummer Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, but they fall soon after another very special occasion: our birthday on July 17. That now makes us old enough to be a freshman or sophomore in college, if you’ve been keeping track, and more than old enough to start running our very own Christmas in July promotions. Stay tuned for more info later this year!
So, what are your experiences of Christmas in July? Is it a hotly anticipated holiday in your household, or does it usually receive a frosty reception? Did you even know that such an occasion existed?! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject in the comments below, and stay tuned to Zazzle Ideas for more holiday-themed articles in the next few months!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
