Christmas in July is simply celebrating Christmas in July…
Sometimes it’s called “Half Christmas”.
Many people celebrate Christmas to honour the birth of Jesus Christ, but it’s also celebrated as a cultural holiday across the world on the 25th of December.
Some people prefer to celebrate Christmas in summer and some in winter. For example people from the Northern hemisphere that immigrated to the Southern hemisphere like to celebrate Christmas in July when it is winter.
This mid Christmas cheer is celebrated with beautiful Christmas decorations, lights, parties, festive activities, family fun and lot’s of good food.
Reasons to celebrate Christmas in July
- To celebrate it to enjoy Christmas traditions in a different season.
- To celebrate it as a second Christmas celebration.
- Some people celebrate it because that is when family reunions take place.
- Or when the weather is generally better for travel.
- It is also a great excuse to throw a party and have fun.
The first Idea behind Christmas In July
There are many theories about where the first idea behind Christmas in July originated, but no one is sure about it.
Referring to Wikipedia
“The movement started in Italy, Europe, where traditional Christmas is celebrated in winter, leading to the alternative celebration, 6 months later, to be celebrated in summer. While it started out as an improvised summer celebration in Venice, it has now become a yearly tradition. In the last 8 years, the celebrations have taken place mainly in Sardinia, but the tradition is spreading across the world and becoming a worldwide movement.”
Normally it is held on the 25th of July, but it can be anytime in the month of July and it is not a public holiday.
Who celebrates Christmas in July?
Not everyone celebrates this untimely Christmas festival, but it is relatively popular.
Some of the countries that celebrate Christmas in July are Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, South Africa and the UK.
In the Southern hemisphere, seasons are in reverse to the Northern Hemisphere, with summer falling in December and winter falling in July.
Christmas in July is the Southern hemisphere’s chance to experience a Christmas that closely matches their winter memories and the nostalgia of a wintery Christmas.
However, Christmas in July will not replace Christmas in December.
How to celebrate Christmas in July
You can celebrate all the things you love about Christmas. The fun, the parties, the gathering of family and friends, the cozy fireplaces. Use all those beautiful Christmas ornaments and decorations and make it a special event.
Fun ideas for Christmas in July:
- Decorate the Christmas tree
- Make unique Christmas ornaments
- Exchange gifts
- Fill stockings
- Bake Christmas cookies.
- Special Christmas dinner
- Watch Christmas movies
- Listen to Christmas music
- Play games with family
- Sing carols
- Teach kids the joy of giving
- Show a little kindness all around the neighbourhood
- Guests dress in Christmas outfits
The point is, there’s no “right way” or “wrong way” to celebrate this time. You will want to create a festival time to remember.
Is Christmas in July a Marketing Tool?
It seems that Christmas in July is more often used as a marketing tool than an actual holiday.
For most businesses Christmas in July is simply a way to create a new reason to make a few extra sales. Many stores have Christmas in July Sales. They tend to sell Christmas decor around July to make room for next year’s new stuff.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to celebrate Christmas in July, you can still get some bargains in the Christmas in July sales. With just under six months before the holiday season it’s the perfect time to start buying Christmas gifts so you don’t overspend when December is coming.
Is the idea of Christmas in July so crazy?
The idea of Christmas in July is not so crazy for several reasons. For those Christmas lovers, they get to have a double Christmas and the joy of decorating again. Who wouldn’t want that?
It’s a good time to start planning for your December Christmas since December is always a busy month packed with festivities. It will give you more time to plan ahead and will help you save money when you buy Christmas decor and gifts on the mid year sales.
In my opinion it is not a crazy idea!
I love the opportunity to celebrate and cherish the most important things in my life, which is my family and my faith twice a year. You should try it too.