Christmas in July: How it Began

Do you know how Christmas in July began? Why celebrate Christmas in July? Is it a ploy by merchandisers? There is much speculation surrounding the origin of the Christmas in July, the new tradition that is gaining popularity world wide.

The beginnings of the Christmas in July holiday are unclear. Some say it was a group of Irish tourists, in 1980, who were vacationing in the Australia that started the tradition. Back in their native Ireland, the island was in the midst of warm weather; however, they had journeyed to the southern hemisphere for snow. Upon seeing the snow in the area, they thought it would be a lark to hold a "Yulefest". They then convinced the owner of the hotel, where they were staying, to cook a Christmas feast. The feast was a success among the hotel's patrons.

The owner of the hotel took the idea and started to hold Christmas parties each July. Local business owners jumped in to enjoy the opportunity to earn some Christmas green from this festival. In Australia, where the month of July is the height of the ski season, merchants have capitalized on this idea. Party plans are made as if December 25th is just around the corner.

In fact, this tradition is now so entrenched in Australia's society that families plan traditional Christmas food. Proprietors of shops have shelves stocked with figurines of Snowmen and Santa Claus. Families will often go out caroling in the evening.

Others believe the source of the first Christmas in July was a summer camp for girls, near Brevard, North Carolina, in 1933. The camp counselors created a Christmas celebration for the girls. Their celebration included gifts, a Christmas tree and Santa Claus. The camp's first Christmas in July was a success; they continued to celebrate this annual tradition. Recollections of these events are available at the camp's website.

In 1940, the film Christmas in July was released. In this tale, an office clerk is conned into thinking he has won a large amount of money. As a result of this windfall, he purchases presents for people and proposes marriage to his girlfriend. This charming romantic comedy brought the attention of the nation to the idea of celebrating Christmas in July.

With the advent of World War II, various church and civic groups started to prepare Christmas care packages for those in the members of the military serving in distant lands. Greeting card companies encouraged this endeavor. Commercialization of Christmas in July continues today.

Although most source site marketing as the most likely reason behind "Christmas in July" celebrations, perhaps there are others. Perhaps these reasons are recalled in a few peoples' minds.

My grandmother taught knitting to me when I was a child (I'm almost 50 years old now). She shared that when she was young, her Christmas gifts were usually apples, oranges, a token from the store, and handmade items. Carefully planning was needed to make certain every penny counted. July was the time for planning ahead, for budgeting for Christmas. Most importantly it was time for all family members, if they had not already, to begin to make gifts for Christmas. According to her, this was the way it was for many families.

So, although you may read in other places that Christmas in July is often credited to those Irish vacationers, I prefer to think that Christmas in July stemmed from the hearts' of families, like my grandmothers. These were families that understood the true spirit of giving, and as Dr Seuss' says:

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

Source:

http://www.keystonecamp.com/alumnae/memories.php

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas_in_july/history.htmhttp://samogaathome.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-grinch-stole-christmas-text.html