9 Fantastic Ways to Celebrate Christmas in July

For many Americans, Christmas brings to mind snow-covered scenery, with “Jack Frost nipping at your nose,” Christmas ornaments nestled beautifully in evergreen branches and lights twinkling against a backdrop of winter white.

For people who live in the Southern Hemisphere, however, Christmas occurs during the summer season. This vastly changes the tone of the holiday, when the landscape is bright and green with not a snowflake in sight.

Maybe that’s why the concept of celebrating Christmas in July seems so captivating. July is our chance to experience a warm-weather Christmas holiday and bring the joy of the holidays to summer celebrations. 

Christmas in July is a uniquely American tradition linked to a southern summer camp. The custom dates back to July 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. A few years later, a movie called Christmas in July set the idea for a summer holiday in the minds of Americans.

These days “Christmas in July” is generally connected with the word “sale.”

It’s also a great time to start a new summer tradition. Planning a Christmas in July party blends the best of a winter holiday with some sunny, summer-y twists.

Celebrating Christmas in July is a joyful way to conjure up some holiday spirit during the hottest days of the year. Think of all the possibilities that open up when you celebrate Christmas in warmer weather. By focusing on snowy landscapes and cold-weather pleasures, you can mentally beat the heat. And who knows - you just might start a quirky new summer tradition with friends and family.

Host a Christmas in July pool party. Decorate the pool area with beach-themed Christmas decorations like lighted palm trees, play Christmas music and set up a Christmas-themed photo booth to capture the festive occasion. Even your pool games can have a holiday twist, like a floating wreath ring target toss, snow globe ring toss or Pin the Nose on the Snowman.

Set the scene for a Christmas in July Party by getting out your Christmas decorations. Decorate a pine tree in your yard with lights and ornaments. Hang lights on your house and put up Christmas lawn decorations in the yard without freezing your fingers and toes! String icicle lights from porch eaves, set lighted snowflakes along walkways, on fences and deck rails, and decorate shrubs with white mini lights. 

Does the blazing July sun send you scurrying into your comfortably air-conditioned home? Take your “beat the heat” attitude even further. Think cool thoughts by watching Christmas movies. Stream your favorites, or tune in to the Hallmark Channel Christmas in July promotion to enjoy Christmas movies all month long. In the cool of the evening, set up a screen outdoors and enjoy Christmas movies on a blanket under the stars.

Charities that receive lots of support during the holidays may be short on help the rest of the year. This July, share your Christmas spirit by giving back to your favorite community organization. As you might during the holidays, volunteer to serve meals at a homeless shelter, donate non-perishables to a local food bank or collect children’s clothes and baby supplies for a safe house. 

For your Christmas in July feast, give your holiday favorites a cool summer spin. Some suggestions: Grilled or smoked turkey, jalapeno dinner rolls, sweet potato fries, loaded baked potato salad, stuffed zucchini, Christmas cookie ice cream sandwiches or apple hand pies.

Extend your Christmas in July party theme with fun activities. Some suggestions:

• Buy plain grocery store sugar cookies and have a Christmas cookie decorating contest.

• Read your favorite children’s Christmas story out loud.

• Hold Christmas Carol Karaoke on the lawn (but only if your neighbors are the forgiving kind!)

• Instead of a snowball fight, have a water balloon fight.

• Put a Christmas in July spin on your party games and see who can make the best sand angel, sand snowman or marshmallow snowman.

Christmas in July is a merryvway to enjoy some cool holiday activities during the hottest time of year. So go ahead - decorate a tree on your patio, hang the stockings by the fire pit and put a Christmas wreath on the pool house door.

And don’t forget to take the family Christmas card photo while the decorations are up! 

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