Journey Through Christmases Past: History of Christmas in July

 

Welcome to our newest feature, Journey through Christmases Past. This series is a nostalgic celebration of the holidays we all remember...

• The history and traditions of the holiday.
• The décor that filled our homes.
• The toys that defined each decade.
• The television and movie shows that brightened the season.
• The outfits we adored (and the ones we definitely didn’t).

Along the way, I’ll sprinkle in a few of my own Christmas memories. So settle in with a cup of your favorite hot beverage and join me on a journey through Christmases past.

Welcome back to Sunday! We are 166 days away from Christmas. Isn't that crazy? 

Hope July has been good to you. We are back from vacation. We spent time at some of our favorite places on the Outer Banks, The Christmas Shop & General Store in Manteo and The Christmas Mouse in Nags Head. 

Music Tree in Manteo

Peace Tree in Nags Head 

Considering we are now over halfway through the year, I thought it might be cool to talk a bit about where Christmas in July came from. 

According to Department 56, the first mention of Christmas in July is attributed to an 1892 French opera titled Werther. The phrase "Christmas in July" is mentioned by one of the characters as a group rehearses a carol in July. 

Though nowadays, Christmas in July often refers to merchant sales, that wasn't the case until after World War II. The first documented Christmas in July celebration had nothing to do with retailers. It all began at North Carolina's Keystone Camp under the watchful eye of the camp's co-founder Fannie Holt. Country Living shared all about the camp's tradition in this article. This first midsummer Christmas event featured carols, a tree, and a visit from Santa. 

In 1940, the film Christmas in July, starring Dick Powell and Ellen Drew, hit theaters in October. The film tells the story of office worker Jimmy MacDonald being tricked by some of his co-workers into believing he has won the Maxford House Coffee company's $25,000 slogan prize. Jimmy winds up with a raise and a promotion, and he and his girlfriend Betty go on a spending spree before the pranksters confess. 

Also in 1940, The Salvation Army launched its Christmas in July program focused on collecting gifts early to reach missions worldwide by December. If you Google this, you will see many area Salvation Army branches are running Christmas in July programs to support a variety of causes. 

According to Current360, the U.S. Post Office and U.S. Army and Navy officials joined forces with American advertisers and the greeting card industry to throw a Christmas in July luncheon in 1944 to promote an early Christmas mailing campaign for troops serving overseas. This encouraged advertisers to take advantage of this for their own marketing purposes. Since then, Christmas in July sales have become a regular thing for brick-and-mortar and then online retailers. 

Hallmark Channel began its Christmas in July programming in 2012. Great American Family started their Great American Christmas in 2022. 

These days, Christmas in July is a nationwide, mid‑summer celebration driven by TV networks, retailers, and travel companies, but it is great to see the many community and charity events that also take place this time of year.