9 Awesome Ideas for Celebrating Christmas in July

To numerous Americans, Christmas evokes visions of snow-blanketed vistas, with “Jack Frost nipping at your nose,” sparkling ornaments nestled amongst evergreen branches, and twinkling lights set against a wintry white backdrop.

For those residing in the Southern Hemisphere, however, Christmas coincides with the summer season. This fundamentally alters the holiday’s atmosphere, featuring a vibrant and green landscape devoid of snowflakes.

Thus, the attraction of celebrating Christmas in July becomes quite enchanting. July offers a unique chance to relish a warm-weather Christmas celebration and infuse summer festivities with the joy of the holidays.

Christmas in July, a distinctively American tradition, originates from a southern summer camp. This custom began in July 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. A few years later, the film Christmas in July entrenched the idea of a summer holiday in the American consciousness.

Nowadays, “Christmas in July” is often synonymous with the term “sale.”

Additionally, it’s an excellent occasion to establish a fresh summer tradition. Organizing a Christmas in July party merges the essence of a winter holiday with delightful summertime twists.

Commemorating Christmas in July is an exhilarating method to invoke holiday cheer during the peak of summer. Consider all the opportunities that arise when you celebrate Christmas under warmer conditions. By focusing on wintery scenes and cold-weather joys, you can psychologically cool off. Who knows – you might kick off an amusing new summer tradition with loved ones.

Here are some Christmas in July suggestions to ignite your celebration.

Throw a Christmas in July pool party. Adorn the pool space with beachy Christmas decor like illuminated palm trees, play festive music, and set up a holiday-themed photo booth to capture the cheerful event. Even your pool games can have a yuletide spin, such as a floating wreath ring toss, snow globe ring toss, or Pin the Nose on the Snowman.

December signals the start of summer “down under,” so many Australians mark Christmas with camping excursions or beach barbecues. In the Northern Hemisphere, draw inspiration from the Australians. Fire up the grill and craft your favorite summer barbecue dishes with a festive flair. Grill “shrimp on the barbie” – or opt for authentic Aussie prawns. Infuse your barbecue sauce with cinnamon, or try this apple barbecue sauce recipe. Serve up Christmas ornament appetizers and offer chilled mulled wine or iced mulled tea.

Establish the scene for a Christmas in July fête by bringing out your holiday decorations. Trim a pine tree in your yard with lights and ornaments. String lights on your house and set up Christmas yard ornaments without the chill! Hang icicle lights from porch eaves, place illuminated snowflakes along pathways, fences, and deck rails, and embellish shrubs with white mini lights. 

On scorching July days, retreat to your cool sanctuary to enjoy…air-conditioned residence? Extend your “beat the heat” mindset even further. Indulge in frosty thoughts with some Christmas films. Stream your preferred ones, or watch the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas in July event to relish Christmas movies throughout the entire month. As the evening cools, set up a screen outdoors to enjoy Christmas movies on a blanket beneath the stars.

Begin addressing your gift list early by taking on some DIY Christmas crafts. Enjoy the best of both worlds: lounging in the shade of your patio or porch while crafting Christmas decorations and presents. Unsure where to start? Paper honeycomb ornaments are trendy and expensive, but you can create your own. Make felt ornaments, design simple wood bead candy canes, paint ceramic ornaments, or fashion gingerbread house decorations from clay pots. You can even invite friends over for refreshing drinks and a crafting session on the patio!

No matter the season, receiving gifts is always a joy! Heat up conventional holiday gift-giving with a Christmas in July gift swap. Skip traditional cold-season gifts in favor of summer-themed accessories. For example, instead of cozy socks and warm sweaters, offer flip flops, beach bags, or grilling supplies.

Many charities that receive substantial assistance during the holidays may experience shortages during the rest of the year. This July, spread your Christmas cheer by contributing to your favorite local charity. Similar to the holiday season, volunteer to serve meals at a homeless shelter, donate non-perishables to a local food bank, or gather children’s clothing and baby necessities for a safe house.

For your Christmas in July dinner, reinvent your holiday classics with a summery flair. Some ideas include: Grilled or smoked turkey, jalapeno dinner rolls, sweet potato fries, loaded baked potato salad, stuffed zucchini, Christmas cookie ice cream sandwiches, or apple hand pies.

Everyone cherishes Christmas cookies, but who wants to turn on the oven when it’s scorching and 90 degrees outside? Instead, search Grandma’s recipe box or your favorite online recipe site for no-bake Christmas treats. Pair them with frozen hot chocolate or ice-cold brandied eggnog.

Enhance your Christmas in July celebration with entertaining activities. Some ideas:

• Purchase plain store-bought sugar cookies and hold a Christmas cookie decorating competition.

• Read your favorite children’s Christmas book out loud.

• Organize Christmas Carol Karaoke on the lawn (hopefully, your neighbors are forgiving!)

• Instead of a snowball fight, have a water balloon showdown.

• Add a Christmas in July twist to your party games and challenge everyone to make the best sand angel, sand snowman, or marshmallow snowman.

Christmas in July is a delightful way to partake in cool holiday festivities during the hottest season of the year. So, go ahead – deck out a tree on your patio, hang stockings by the fire pit, and adorn the pool house door with a Christmas wreath.

And make sure to snap the family Christmas card photo while the decorations are up! 

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