The Story Behind Christmas in July: How a Mid-Summer Tradition Began

There’s something wonderfully unexpected about seeing twinkling lights, vintage Santas, cozy mugs of cocoa, and Christmas music while the thermometer still reads 95 degrees. Every year, people either laugh and join in the fun or ask the same question:

“Why do we celebrate Christmas in July?”

As it turns out, this beloved tradition has a fascinating history that stretches back nearly a century.

Where Did Christmas in July Begin?

While no one can say with complete certainty who celebrated it first, one of the earliest documented Christmas in July celebrations took place in 1933 at Keystone Camp, a girls’ summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina.

The camp decided to surprise its campers with a magical two-day Christmas celebration right in the middle of summer. They decorated trees, exchanged handmade gifts, sang Christmas carols, shared a festive meal, and even welcomed Santa Claus. It brought excitement, laughter, and a welcome break from the ordinary days of camp.

The idea caught people’s attention because it was joyful, unexpected, and reminded everyone that Christmas isn’t just about a date on the calendar—it’s about creating meaningful memories.

How the Tradition Grew

As the years passed, the idea of celebrating Christmas during the summer continued to capture people’s imaginations. In 1940, the movie Christmas in July introduced the phrase to an even wider audience. Although the film wasn’t actually about celebrating Christmas in the summertime, its memorable title helped make the expression “Christmas in July” familiar across the country.

Over the decades, retailers, community organizations, churches, camps, and families began embracing the idea in their own unique ways. Today, Christmas in July has become a beloved tradition around the world, celebrated with everything from craft fairs and cookie exchanges to holiday movie marathons and festive summer gatherings.

Why Has Christmas in July Become So Popular?

There are quite a few reasons this summertime tradition has continued to grow.

For many crafters, Christmas in July is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on handmade gifts, ornaments, and holiday décor without the pressure that comes in November and December.

Retailers often use the occasion to offer sales on seasonal merchandise, giving shoppers a chance to spread out holiday spending before the busy season arrives.

For those who absolutely adore Christmas, it’s simply an excuse to enjoy a little bit of holiday magic twice a year. After all, why should cozy traditions only happen once every twelve months?

More Than Shopping

While Christmas in July often comes with great sales, many people celebrate it for reasons that have nothing to do with shopping.

It’s about slowing down.

Gathering with friends.

Baking Christmas cookies just because.

Watching favorite holiday movies.

Pulling out treasured decorations that hold special memories.

Creating crafts with children or grandchildren.

Making ornaments on a hot July afternoon.

It becomes a gentle reminder that joy doesn’t have to wait for December.

Here at October Roads Studio…

One of my biggest dreams isn’t just creating Christmas projects—it’s creating Christmas memories.

As my grandchildren grow older, I hope to begin a new family tradition that I’m already calling Grammy’s Cousins’ Christmas in July Camp.

For a few magical days each summer, all of the cousins will gather together to celebrate the joy of Christmas long before December arrives. We’ll bake Christmas cookies, make handmade ornaments and crafts, read our favorite Christmas stories, watch classic holiday movies, sing Christmas songs, and spend our days laughing together.

There will be messy craft tables covered in glitter, the sweet smell of cookies baking in the oven, tiny hands creating keepsakes, and hearts full of excitement. I can already imagine ending each evening snuggled together with a Christmas story, dreaming of candy canes, twinkling lights, and the wonder of the season.

More than anything, I hope those days become treasured memories—moments my grandchildren will carry into adulthood and perhaps one day recreate with their own children.

Because traditions aren’t just things we do.

They’re gifts we pass from one generation to the next.

And if I can help create a little wonder, a little laughter, and a whole lot of love every July, then I think Grammy’s Cousins’ Christmas in July Camp may become one of our family’s most cherished traditions.

A Little Christmas Magic Anytime

One of my favorite things about Christmas is that it reminds us to look for beauty in ordinary moments. We don’t have to wait until December to experience kindness, generosity, or wonder.

Whether you’re crafting, decorating, baking, or simply humming your favorite Christmas song while folding laundry, there’s something comforting about inviting a little bit of Christmas into an ordinary summer day.

Maybe that’s why Christmas in July has endured for generations.

Because joy doesn’t belong to one season.

It’s something we can choose to celebrate all year long.

As Christians, we also remember that the true gift of Christmas isn’t found under a tree—it’s found in the birth of our Savior. The love, hope, and peace that Jesus brought into the world aren’t limited to one day in December. They are gifts we can celebrate and share every day of the year.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” — James 1:17 (NIV)

May your home be filled with creativity, your heart with peace, and your summer with just a little Christmas magic.

Happy Christmas in July!

With love,

Toni
October Roads Studio