The History of Christmas in July

It’s one of the most celebrated unofficial holidays of the summer. It comes just when we need it most—when the heat is rising, the air conditioning is gasping, and most of us are dreaming of cooler times and peppermint everything. That’s right: we’re talking about Christmas in July—the holly-jolliest heatwave of the year!

While the main event may still be months away, there’s no reason we can’t deck the halls in flip-flops, sip frozen hot cocoa, and sport our finest reindeer jammies under the summer sun. So pour yourself some eggnog-on-ice and let’s unwrap the fascinating story of how Christmas in July came to be, and how you can sleigh your own midyear celebration.

Where Did It All Start?

The first glimmer of “Christmas in July” dates all the way back to 1892 in the French opera Werther, where children rehearse a Christmas song in July. A character remarks, “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.” Little did they know, they were onto something fantastic.

Fast forward to 1933, when the first true Christmas in July was celebrated—not on a stage, but at a girls' summer camp called Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Keystone Camp was co-founded by Fannie Holt, a visionary with a love of fun, friendship, and (clearly) festive flair. She cooked up the idea of a two-day July Christmas celebration on July 24th and 25th, complete with gifts, caroling, fake snow (made of cotton, no less), and even a visit from Santa himself. Talk about making spirits bright!

One camper, Blanche Ulmer Pavlis, recalled the magical event: “There were different colored lights, which made the tree quite bright and gay. Then who should arrive but Santa Claus himself to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells.’”

Thanks to The Washington Post, which covered the event, the world now had its first documented taste of Christmas in July—and it was merry, bright, and just a little silly. Exactly how we like it.

National Attention and Holiday Hype

The idea snowballed from there. In 1940, the film Christmas in July brought the concept to movie theaters, and by 1944, the U.S. Post Office used it as a clever campaign to encourage early holiday mail for soldiers overseas during WWII.

By the 1950s, retailers across the country were catching on—turning July into a merry shopping season with festive sales. Today, TV networks devote entire weeks to holiday movie marathons in July, while brands and families everywhere join in the mid-summer magic.

Why Celebrate Christmas in July?

Aside from being a great excuse to wear cozy pajamas and listen to “Jingle Bell Rock” without judgment, Christmas in July is a chance to:

• Beat the holiday rush by grabbing gifts and décor early (hello, summer sales!)
• Spend time with loved ones who might not be around during the winter holidays
• Bring a little magic into a regular ol’ Tuesday in July
• Celebrate twice, because honestly, once just isn’t enough

Whether you’re all about the aesthetic or just craving an excuse to bake cookies in a snowflake apron, there’s no wrong way to join the festivities.

How to Celebrate Christmas in July (the LazyOne Way)

• Dress the Part
  You don’t need a snowstorm to break out your holiday jammies! Go for breathable, lightweight Christmas pajamas that let you stay cool while still feeling festive. Bonus points if you grab a matching set for the whole fam—because nothing says “family fun” like a group selfie in Santa shorts.
  
  
• Deck the (Palm Tree) Halls
  Skip the attic expedition and keep it simple: tinsel on houseplants, mini trees, string lights, and maybe a DIY “sandman” made of beach towels. For extra flair, throw in a tropical Christmas theme—think flamingo ornaments and sunglasses on Santa.
  
  
• Keep Gifts Light (and Fun)
  This isn’t about breaking the bank. Little “just because” gifts like pool floaties, popsicle molds, cute socks, or personalized drink tumblers are perfect for the occasion. Think stocking stuffers... if your stocking wore flip-flops.
  
  
• Whip Up Treats
  Make frozen hot chocolate, decorate sugar cookies with sunshines and snowflakes, or roast marshmallows for s’mores. Pro tip: Candy canes make excellent drink stirrers—even in a lemonade.
  
  
• Watch the Classics
  What’s Christmas in July without a good old movie marathon? Queue up Elf, Home Alone, or whatever holiday film gives you the warm fuzzies—even if it’s 90 degrees out.

We’re Here to Help You Sleigh It

When you’re ready to turn up the cheer, we’ve got the Christmas pajamas to make your midsummer celebration merry and cool. Whether you're looking for hilarious puns, cozy classics, or styles for the whole family, we have everything you need to make your Christmas in July one to remember.

So go ahead—blast the carols, light the (citronella) candles, and make it snow... even if it’s just with powdered sugar on your brownies. Happy Christmas in July, ya filthy animals!