Ever had a holly jolly July? Imagine all the things you love about Christmas without Jack Frost nipping at your nose. We have all heard the term Christmas in July, but did you know many families across the southern United States celebrate this unconventional holiday?
Where did Christmas in July come from?
Where did Christmas in July come from?
Legend suggests that Christmas in July started at Keystone Camp in 1933, a girls' summer camp located in Brevard, North Carolina, and takes place on July 24th and 25th. This celebration consists of all your favorite Christmas traditions, such as decorating a tree, gift exchanges, and more! Southern Living and Country Living outlines more information regarding the origin of this Southern American tradition.
This unofficial holiday was also originally an opportunity for those living in the southern hemisphere to celebrate Christmas during what is considered to be winter in their part of the world. Pub For all Seasons highlights some countries where Christmas in July is celebrated, such as Australia, where the food associated with the Christmas holiday is the star of the show! Companies in Australia also celebrate with offers of holiday discounts. The UK, New Zealand, and South Africa are also some other countries that celebrate Christmas in July and many states in the US!
This unofficial holiday was also originally an opportunity for those living in the southern hemisphere to celebrate Christmas during what is considered to be winter in their part of the world. Pub For all Seasons highlights some countries where Christmas in July is celebrated, such as Australia, where the food associated with the Christmas holiday is the star of the show! Companies in Australia also celebrate with offers of holiday discounts. The UK, New Zealand, and South Africa are also some other countries that celebrate Christmas in July and many states in the US!
Why Celebrate Christmas in July?
During the winter months of 2020, families had to give up important aspects of a traditional Christmas celebration, such as large family gatherings, to keep loved ones safe due to the spike in cases attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, at the time of writing this 47.89% of the US population has had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, making large family gatherings safer than they were in December of 2020. The CDC has even lifted indoor mask mandates for fully vaccinated people.
The CDC still suggests that outdoor gatherings are the safest option for you and your family and the warm month of July makes this possible! With social interactions becoming increasingly safer due to vaccine role out, and warmer weather bringing social gatherings outdoors, Christmas in July may be a perfect opportunity for your family to experiment with new traditions while also making up for lost time during the holiday season.
However, at the time of writing this 47.89% of the US population has had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, making large family gatherings safer than they were in December of 2020. The CDC has even lifted indoor mask mandates for fully vaccinated people.
The CDC still suggests that outdoor gatherings are the safest option for you and your family and the warm month of July makes this possible! With social interactions becoming increasingly safer due to vaccine role out, and warmer weather bringing social gatherings outdoors, Christmas in July may be a perfect opportunity for your family to experiment with new traditions while also making up for lost time during the holiday season.
How to celebrate Christmas in July.
One of the best things about this holiday is marrying Christmas cheer with the things we love most about summer! As Real Sample points out, you don't have to dig up all your festive décor from storage. There are so many ways to put a summer twist on the most wonderful time of the year!
A sunny spin on decorations.
Arguably, one of the best and most unique parts about Christmas is how we tailor the environment around us to emulate Christmas Joy through decorations. Putting a fun summer spin on traditional Christmas décor is one of the best ways to celebrate! Fill your tree with uniquely summer-themed ornaments full of bright colors that embody that summer vibe. With the warm weather of July bringing the celebration outside, bring this tradition with it by decorating your backyard plants like you would a Christmas tree with summery ornaments and fairy lights!
Chestnuts roasting on an open bonfire.
Instead of a roast for Christmas dinner, why not a burger on the BBQ? Instead of decorating gingerbread cookies in the shape of reindeer and snowmen, substitute sugar cookies in the shape of sunglasses, flip-flops, or pineapples! Put a marshmallow on top of chocolate and a graham cracker, and use mini chocolate chips to make two eyes and a mouth for a melted snowman look! Or use your Christmas cookie stencils on fruit like watermelon or pineapple.
Their are so many ways to get creative with this holiday! And after the year we all had in 2020, we could all use some more family time.