Christmas in July is a thing! There’s nothing official about it but I’ve experienced it, participated in it, and often reminisce about it. So, do you feel that perhaps we could introduce Christmas in July – In The UK?
Don’t worry, there’s no need to cut down your conifers, start a gift list or buy a new sofa. Nor do you need to prepare for another 30 day version of December 25th. Fundamentally, it’s just a little ‘cool’ fun to be had during the hot mid-summer month.
The true meaning of Christmas in July
Christmas in July has various meanings and historical explanations, depending in which hemisphere you reside.
In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are in reverse to here in the Northern Hemisphere, with the summer months falling in December, January and February and the winter happening in June, July and August.
For example: in Australia, having British and European heritage, there’s a strong attachment to the tradition of celebrating Christmas in cold weather.
Hence, Christmas in July or ‘Midwinter Christmas’ events are undertaken in order to have Christmas fun with a winter feel, in common with their Northern Hemisphere roots.
It’s deliberately ironic as Christmas Day is still celebrated on December 25th, during their summer, when it’s typically hot.
Christmas in July origins
In the USA, which boasts varying climates across the states, the concept may typically stem back to some very clever advertising – just like the image of Santa Claus himself!
There’s also the 1940 Hollywood Christmas movie ‘Christmas in July’ claiming the cornerstone:
A sweet story of a man who is fooled into believing he has won a substantial amount of cash in an advertising slogan contest:-
He buys presents for his family and friends and proposes to his girlfriend … perhaps this was the sacred birth of the Christmas Romance movies, that have lined the pockets of film producers for the succeeding 80 years?
Additionally, there are other historical events worth noting. For example, in 1944 and 1945, the U.S. Post Office, Army, and Navy, along with advertising and greeting card companies, organised a significant “Christmas in July” luncheon. This event aimed to promote early Christmas mailing for servicemen overseas during World War II.
Christmas in July today
Christmas in July is still primarily used as a marketing tool, rather than an actual holiday. Nevertheless, it is widely enjoyed as an extraneous celebration, not by all but with ever-growing popularity.
It’s simply another festive opportunity! And you don’t have to search far to find some family and friends that are fully submerging themselves under the fun-faucet, embracing the opportunity to come together as humans, celebrate life, and feel good about something.
Social merrymaking
This is where the British may have fallen behind …
Despite being a group of closely connected countries, we seem hesitant to embrace the festivities we originated (All Hallows Eve began in Ireland), regardless of their modern interpretations.
It’s disheartening how we often spend our days at home, with little more to anticipate than the arrival of Monday and a fortnight on the Costas.
In contrast, some nations seamlessly transition from one celebration to the next, creating a continuous cycle of festivities that bring together friends, family, neighbours, and the wider community. These societies seem to understand the importance of forging community bonds and the adverse consequences of declining social connections, particularly for the youth and the elderly.
Here in the UK, we have a many an opportunity to enhance our community spirit. Could we incorporate a ‘Christmas- themed’ BBQ in front of bonfires into our summertime soirées?
Party or Movie-Marathon
During my time in the US, I attended only one Christmas in July house party, but I participated in several afternoon movie marathons. These marathons featured themed food and 24 hours of Christmas entertainment provided by the Hallmark Channel, and they were a lot of fun.
Amazon Prime has an all-year-round subscription option to the Hallmark Channel and there is currently a 7 days free trial:
For most participating Americans, Christmas in July is simply an opportunity to ‘chill’ and have a little fun.
Christmas in July – In the UK? Is it possible?
Infallibly, we too like (paddling) pool parties, back-garden BBQs, twinkly lights and solar-ornaments.
We’re also partial to ice-cold beverages, confectionery-clad ice cream and showcasing the new patio furniture to the world at large.
That said, with a little coaxing and boozy, iced ‘hot’ chocolate we too might fall in love all over again with Slade and Wizard, bare-foot on a grassy dance floor.
Post-poolside fun finds you flopping on the sofa and watching back-to-back, made-for-TV, Christmas fantasy-flicks with your favourite people. What’s not to like?
So here are some suggestions:
Christmas In July – In The UK
To Do List
Invite you friends and family for a BBQ (nice and safe, they won’t suspect a thing).
Invite your immediate neighbours, to avoid them involving law enforcement and psychological evaluators later on.
Make a ‘Christmas In July – In The UK’ wreath out of flip-flops.
Decorate a tree in your back garden with brightly coloured baubles, bells that blow in the breeze and fairy lights. (If you haven’t already).
Build a sandpit Christmas tree and decorate with shells.
Cut the sleeves out of your Christmas jumper and make a tank-top.
Print some ‘Christmas In July – In The UK’ labels and stick them onto your beer bottles.
Put the reindeer antlers back on the dog.
Search for: Mr Frosy game that you almost gave to charity.
Play: Santa Limbo – to Slade, Wizard and Shakin’ Stevens
The Menu
Cook: Star-shaped Chicken Nuggets and Reindeer Burgers
Serve: Watermelon Christmas Trees, Peppermint Ice cream, Snowman Ice Cream Sundays, Frozen Fruit Christmas Trees, Jelly with Christmas Sprinkles. Red and Green Ice Cubes, Alcoholic Frozen Hot-Chocolate, Eggnog Coladas and strawberry Santa’s.
Get creative
Here’s a fun recipe to start you off:
Finally, my all-time favourite American treat that’s guaranteed to conclude everybody’s party in a relaxed, comforting and delicious way.
My ‘Christmas in July – In The UK’ S’Mores
My S’Mores are admittedly an improvised version of their traditional American counterparts because £10 + delivery for a box of Graham Crackers is unjustifiable.
You will need:
McVities Rich Tea Biscuits
Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate
Extra-Large BBQ Marshmallows
BBQ Skewers
The way I do it …
- Set aside two Rich Tea biscuits, bottom-side up.
- Place some chocolate in a pan and gently melt, stirring continuously.
- Place an Extra-Large BBQ Marshmallow on a skewer. Hold the skewer over the BBQ or pit fire, without touching anything or burning yourself.
- Rotate continually until the marshmallow starts to brown crystallising that sugary goodness.
- Carefully remove the marshmallow and slide off the skewer onto one of the over-turned biscuits.
- Pour some melted chocolate over the melted marshmallow.
- Place the second biscuit on top of the chocolate and gently press down.
- So delicious! And not just for Christmas …
Please direct all my Christmas in July – In The UK party invites to my email address or fill in the form below!
To receive occasional new posts updates , please subscribe to my newsletter by popping some details into the form below.
SarahHDavis.com will never use your personal details for any other reason, or share with third parties.
