Celebrate Christmas in July!
If you want to truly stay cool during the summer heat, why not channel a bit of winter joy and celebrate Christmas in July?
You may have heard the phrase “Christmas in July” – maybe you’ve even attended a themed party, or watched the Hallmark Channel’s annual summer holiday movie marathon. But lesser known are the origins of this whimsical celebration, which extend all the way back to 1933. On July 24 and 25 of that summer, the leader of Keystone Camp, an overnight camp for girls in Brevard, North Carolina, arranged a visit from Santa, snow made of cotton, laundry bag stockings filled with candy, and even a gift exchange for her campers. Over time, this “holiday” made its way into the country’s collective awareness, and this summer, we invite you to bring the celebration into your own home!
The possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:
Pull out some of the decorations that aren’t as deeply buried, and put them up! Hang your stockings, set out your nativity...you can even decorate a desert plant Christmas Tree-style
Dress in red and green – it’s far too hot for Christmas sweaters, but colorful tank tops and shorts are a great option
Make some Christmas-themed food with a summer twist. Southern Living magazine collected a list of 27 recipes you can choose from, festive and refreshing dishes with names like Watermelon Gazpacho, Christmas Snow Salad, Lemon-Lime-Rosemary Punch, and Hot Chocolate Icebox Pie
Sing Christmas Carols – you can even go door-to-door and really confuse your neighbors
Make each other some simple homemade gifts, or do a white elephant gift exchange with items each person already owns but is ready to part with
If you have a yard that isn’t made of rocks (rare in Arizona, but not unheard of), do some “sledding” on a Slip ‘n Slide!
Read the story of Jesus’s birth together – there’s no wrong time to be reminded of what took place in Bethlehem all those years ago
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, Christmas in July is a wonderful opportunity to create joyful memories with your family and maybe even create some new holiday traditions – without all of the hustle and bustle December brings.
How will your family celebrate Christmas in July? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
