Christmas in July

Saturday, July 15, 2023

The History of "Christmas in July"

Christmas in July is a second Christmas celebration, held during July. It is centered around Christmas-themed activities and entertainment, including small gatherings, seasonal music and specials, and shopping, with the goal of getting the public in the "Christmas Spirit" during the summer season. It is a statement and a reaction to the traditional Christmas celebration: there is no need to wait for one specific day to celebrate love, friendship and peace. The movement started in Italy, Europe, and where traditional Christmas is celebrated in winter, leading to the alternative celebration. The first known mention was in “Werther” an 1892 French opera. In 1935, the National Recreation Association's journal Recreation described what a Christmas in July was like at a girl's camp, writing that "all mystery and wonder surround this annual event.”

The U.S. Army, Navy, and post office jointly promoted it during World War II, to encourage early mailings to servicemen overseas. Also during the war, churches used the theme to raise goods and money for charities. The term was given national attention, with the release of the Hollywood movie comedy "Christmas in July" in 1940, written and directed by Preston Sturges. Then again in 1979 with the movie “Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July”

In Denmark, they have small Christmas celebrations, and put up decorations for what is known as 'Jul i Juli' (translated as 'Christmas in July'). It is a simple play on words that has come to be celebrated by some, although it is not an official holiday. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are in reverse to the Northern Hemisphere, and some countries have Christmas in July events in order to have Christmas with a winter feel, in common with the northern hemisphere. These countries still celebrate Christmas on December 25, in their summer, like the northern hemisphere.

All over the world, some celebrate Christmas in July, typically as an intentionally transparent excuse to have a party. Parties may include Santa Claus, ice cream and other cold foods, and gifts. Nightclubs often host parties open to the public. In the United States, it is more often used as a marketing tool than an actual holiday. American advertisers began using Christmas in July themes in print for summertime sales as early as 1950. Many stores have Christmas in July sales. This is in part because most bargainers tend to sell Christmas goods around July to make room for next year's inventory. The Hallmark Channel runs blocks of their original Christmas television films in July to coincide with the release of the Keepsake Ornaments. Television stations re-run Christmas specials, and home shopping channels have lots of decor and early gift idea specials.

Also, here at TVC World Headquarters in New Hampshire we even say “Merry Christmas” a lot.