“Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away.” –Norman Wesley Brooks
Quite literally the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas is a time steeped in magic, love, giving, and family. And Christmas also happens to be the only holiday so beloved by all that it’s also celebrated in July! If you know, you know. Christmas in July is just another opportunity to enjoy the merriment of the best holiday of the calendar year, and we’ve got a few tips on how you can celebrate this summer, including staying with us at Christmas Farm Inn.
What is Christmas in July?
If you’re thinking that Christmas in July was the scheme of some marketing team somewhere to create a mid-summer sales push, you’re actually wrong on this one. Legend has it that in 1933, Christmas in July began at a summer camp called Keystone in Brevard, North Carolina. They dedicated two days– July 24th and 25th– to the celebration which included fake snow, a decorated tree, and a gift exchange! Though the celebration has spun into a slew of retailers running sales, it got its start closer to the heart of the matter through celebrating camp goers.
Are you ready to get in the holiday spirit this summer? Here are five ways you and yours can celebrate Christmas in July together, and spread that holiday magic out into the year.
1– Deck your halls.
If you need an excuse to pull out all your favorite Christmas decorations mid year, this is it. Christmas in July is a great time to deck your halls, and maybe even put a summertime twist on the decor. Get out your holiday tree and decorate it however you want. Incorporate signs of summer with bright colors instead of the traditional red and green, or even create some fun homemade ornaments that serve as a nod to summer.
2– Invite friends and family over for a meal and simple gift exchange.
This can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. Either way, Christmas in July is a great time to get the crew together, enjoy a great meal, and have a low-key gift exchange. Consider making the meal potluck style and summer themed. For the gift exchange, think about giving summer-themed gifts like sunglasses, pool floats, or beach towels. No matter how you choose to celebrate with your favorite people, there are so many ways you can Christmas it up this season and enjoy the magic.
3– Bust out the Elf on a Shelf.
Summer can be crazy for parents, as kids are out of school enjoying their several weeks of freedom from studies. So why not use Christmas in July as an opportunity to let your Elf on a Shelf make a summertime reappearance? Encourage your kids to be on their best behavior, and have fun coming up with elf shenanigans with a summer twist. This is a great way to engage with your kids, and bring the spirit of Christmas into the summer.
4– Make frozen hot chocolate!
Try a fun summer spin on the classic Christmas hot chocolate, by making frozen hot chocolate together. Try this recipe for the fun, chocolatey drink, and make your Christmas in July a lot more fun.
5– Plan a trip to Christmas Farm Inn.
Make your summer vacation double as a Christmas in July getaway to our White Mountains resort. Come stay at our lovely Inn, and enjoy time by the pool, s’mores by a fireside at night, a little shopping in North Conway, and maybe even a little spa time at our on-site Aveda spa! Christmas is a state of mind, and we seek to embody that here at our Inn all year round. We’d love to help you celebrate Christmas in July.