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Christmas in July can trace its origin back to France in 1892.
The celebration become popular in the U.S. at an all-girls camp in 1933 and spread nationwide in the 1940s.
Companies now use the phrase to boost sales during a slow sales period.
It’s the middle of a sweltering summer, which means there’s no better time to say: Merry Christmas! Wait—what? If that made you pause for a second, don’t worry—you’re not the only one. It’s a little tricky to picture twinkling lights on pine trees and mugs of steaming hot cocoa when you’re swapping out the batteries on your handheld fan just to stay cool.
Still, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Christmas in July” before, right? Whether you’re cozying up with a Hallmark holiday movie marathon (in the comfort of air conditioning, of course), hunting down the best mid-year sales, or even throwing a little faux-yuletide party for fun, you might be wondering: where did this quirky summertime tradition actually come from?
Just like Summerween, Christmas in July is a fun excuse to celebrate one of the country’s favorite holidays a little early. But unlike the more recent Halloween-in-summer trend, this festive midsummer tradition actually goes back further than you might think. Curious how it all began? Keep reading to learn about the history of Christmas in July—and find out when (and how!) to join in on the cheer.
How Did Christmas in July Start in America?
You can hear those sleigh bells jingling (and ring tingle tingling, too) all the way back to France in 1892 when the phrase “Christmas in July” was first used in the opera Werther. When translated into English, a character warns: “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.”
But why do you do Christmas in July in America? Well, you can thank Keystone Camp, an all-girls summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina, for that. Back in 1933, the whimsical co-founder Fannie Holt requested the celebration, complete with a group of carolers, a Christmas tree, and even Santa Claus. The tradition is still alive in well, several generations later.
In 1940, the movie Christmas in July was released, bringing nationwide prominence to the phrase. More events soon followed: Churches began programs to collect gifts for their worldwide missions, and then World War II kicked it into high gear. The United States Postal Service and military branches worked in conjunction with advertisers and the greeting card industry to promote early Christmas mailing campaigns to soldiers overseas.
Why Is It Christmas in July Instead of June?
After the war, marketers and retailers took hold of the phrase and ran with it with promotions and sales. But if you think about it, Half Christmas (as some may refer to it) should actually be June 25. That’s the six-month mark of the year after December 25.
Why July then? Well, back to those marketers. Beyond the phrase already existing, July is actually a much slower time period for sales. There is no major holiday between 4th of July and Labor Day. So, the theory goes that starting in the early 1950s, it was a way to boost sales and kick off the back-to-school shopping period.
When Is Christmas in July Celebrated?
Of course, Christmas in July isn’t all about shopping. You can absolutely throw a celebration on your own, as unique and personalized as you want it to be. And when exactly is Christmas in July? Though there is no set date, it is normally celebrated on or around July 25. Check your local area, because there may be a parade or party near you!
If you want to enjoy your celebration with cool air blowing in your face, Hallmark is back this year with their Christmas in July movie lineup that you can enjoy right from your couch. And if you do want to shop (hey, you can start your gift shopping early), plenty of retailers are offering deals. QVC is one of the most popular, which has their annual sale running from now until July 31.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good July!
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