What is Christmas in July?

There’s no official date for Christmas in July. It can be all month long or just a weekend or a happy hour on the day of your choosing.

You want to get it as far from last December 25th as you can without getting too close to next December 25th—but don’t overthink it.

If it’s July and someone’s eating their way through a half-dozen sugar cookies that look like snowmen and several someone else’s are working on harmonizing a holiday hymn, you’re doing it right.

QUIZ: Who celebrates Christmas in July?

Take this simple test to see if you should be celebrating Christmas in July.

• Do you like to have fun?
• Do you like to have holiday-themed fun?
• Do you believe that any excuse to share the magic of the holidays is a good excuse to share the magic of the holidays, even if those holidays are six months away?

Answer Key:
If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, (and we’re pretty sure you did) then you should be celebrating.

If you answered “Ho, ho, ho!” and shook like a bowl of jelly, you are Santa Claus and you probably already knew about the half-holiday.

You can celebrate by doing traditional summer things with a Christmas twist.
Or you can celebrate by doing traditional Christmas things with a summer twist.

The point is, there’s no “right way” or “wrong way” to celebrate this midsummer night’s dream of a holiday.

We’re going to give you some suggestions (but make them your own).

Watch Christmas movies from a kiddie pool

Hang a sheet on the shed, set up a projector and you’re halfway to a Hallmark Christmas Movie Night. (Don’t forget the bingo cards.)

• Offer lawn chairs, lounge chairs and kiddie pools as your seating options.
• Set up a popcorn buffet.
• Serve Holiday Sparkler Cocktails or the alcohol and no-alcohol versions of Orange You Glad It’s Christmas.

Give the gift of giving gifts

Let’s just come right out and admit that we love presents.

• So how about a Secret Santa gift exchange?
• Or host a white elephant party.
• Or fill stockings for the whole family—only instead of stockings, try something more summer appropriate, like footies.

Make it more meaningful and share the merry

Wouldn’t the people who appreciate a little recognition appreciate it even more if it’s unexpected?

• Don’t wait for December to make some baked goods for a coach, stylist or mail carrier: sweeten their summer with snowflake sugar cookies.
• Spread some cheer—but add your own warm-weather spin.
• Teach kiddos the joy of giving and sprinkle a little kindness all around the neighbourhood.

Christmas Party in July Pro Tip

A quick note about the where and the who: While Christmas is often a family holiday, you might want to expand the invitation list to include neighbours—especially if you’re lighting up your yard and blasting the carols into the night.