Christmas in July Offers Cool Escape

Christmas in July offers the perfect escape from rising summer temperatures. During the "Dog Days of Summer", people often crave the warmth brought through the baking of comforting winter roasts and cakes, and the red and green decorations of the holiday season. The desire to have just a taste of the gift giving season of love keeps Christmas in July alive every year.

Christmas in July festivities pop up throughout the world every year, celebrated on various days throughout the month. Concerts like the Youth Chorus Concert during the Carmel Bach Festival in Carmel, CA are performed, bringing the beautiful sounds of Christmas carols to crowds of Christmas-starved folks, and Christmas dinner is served as a three course meal at Olivewood in Australia.

As with any holiday, Christmas in July has its origins. Credits to the first Christmas in July celebration are given to a girls summer camp in 1933. At Camp Keystone in North Carolina, a Christmas tree was set up, gifts were given and received, and there was even a special visit from Santa Claus himself!

Christmas in July is a time of celebration and rejoicing, just as the traditional Christmas on December 25th. Most of the artificial Christmas trees that are set up in July are pre-lit trees with only a small amount of ornaments, if any at all. Tabletop trees are also very popular, because they are an easy Christmas decoration to set up and take down within a short period of time. Some people like to decorate just as they would during the winter, complete with wreaths and garland, although it is rare to see a home strung with Christmas lights while lighted reindeer pose on the front lawn! Meals typically end with refreshingly cold ice cream.