View source for Christmas in July

{{Short description|Second Christmas celebration}}
{{for multi|the 1940 film|Christmas in July (film)|the 1979 film|Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July}}
{{Infobox event
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| image = File:Christmas in july au.jpg
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| caption = A Christmas in July promotional banner outside a venue in [[Melbourne, Australia]]
| date = July 25
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| also known as = Midwinter Christmas, Christmas in Winter, Christmas in Summer, Early Christmas
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'''Christmas in July''', also known as '''Christmas in Summer''' in the Northern Hemisphere and '''Christmas in Winter''' or '''Midwinter Christmas''' in the Southern Hemisphere, is a second [[Christmas]] celebration held on 25 July that falls outside the traditional period of [[Christmastide]]. It is centered on [[secular]] Christmas-themed activities and entertainment, including small gatherings, seasonal [[entertainment]], and [[shopping]]. July Christmas celebrations typically accommodate those living in the [[Southern Hemisphere]], where they experience [[winter]] at that time.

==Origins==
''[[Werther]]'', an 1892 French opera with libretto by [[Édouard Blau]], [[Paul Milliet]], and [[Georges Hartmann]], had an English translation published in 1894 by Elizabeth Beall Ginty. In the story, a group of children rehearse a Christmas song in July, to which a character responds: "When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season." It is a translation of the French: {{lang|fr|"vous chantez Noël en juillet... c'est s'y prendre à l'avance."}}<ref>Act I, Scene II.</ref> This opera is based on [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|Goethe]]'s ''[[The Sorrows of Young Werther]]''. Christmas features in the book, but July does not.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/art/opera-music/Later-opera-in-France#ref395758|title=opera - Later opera in France {{!}} music|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

In 1935, the National Recreation Association's journal ''Recreation'' described what a Christmas in July was like at a girl's camp in [[Brevard, North Carolina]], writing that "all mystery and wonder surround this annual event."<ref>"Christmas in July", ''Recreation'', 1935, vol. 29, p. 216.</ref>

The term, if not the exact concept, was given national attention with the release of the [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] movie comedy ''[[Christmas in July (film)|Christmas in July]]'' in 1940, written and directed by [[Preston Sturges]].<ref>[https://us.imdb.com/title/tt0032338/ Christmas in July] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211025318/http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0032338/ |date=2010-02-11 }}, Internet Movie Database.</ref> In the story, a man is fooled into believing he has won $25,000 in an advertising slogan contest. He buys presents for family, friends, and neighbours, and proposes marriage to his girlfriend.<ref>{{Citation|last=Sturges|first=Preston|title=Christmas in July|date=1940-10-18|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032338/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

In 1942, the [[Calvary Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.)|Calvary Baptist Church]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] celebrated Christmas in July with carols and the sermon "Christmas Presents in July".<ref>"Christmas in July Theme of Calvary Church Service", ''The Washington Post'', July 11, 1942, p. 6.</ref> They repeated it in 1943, with a Christmas tree covered with donations. The pastor explained that the special service was patterned after a programme held each summer at his former church in [[Philadelphia]], when the congregation would present Christmas gifts early to give ample time for their distribution to missions worldwide.<ref>"Calvary Baptist Church Holds 'Christmas-in-July' Service", ''The Washington Post'', July 12, 1943, p. B1.</ref> It became an annual event, and in 1945, the service began to be broadcast over local radio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.christianpress.com/opinion/320-christmas-in-july-bah-humbug.html|title=Christmas in July? Bah Humbug!|last=Jones|first=Russ|website=www.christianpress.com|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

The [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Post Office]] and [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] and [[United States Navy|Navy]] officials, in conjunction with the American advertising and greeting card industries, threw a Christmas in July luncheon in New York in 1944 to promote an early Christmas mailing campaign for service men overseas during World War II.<ref>"'Christmas in July' Luncheon Opens Drive To Speed Gift Mailing to Armed Forces", ''The New York Times'', July 28, 1944, p. 15.</ref> The luncheon was repeated in 1945.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clausnet.com/blogs/entry/443-ever-wonder-where-christmas-in-july-came-from/|title=Ever wonder where Christmas in July came from?|website=ClausNet|date=14 May 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

American advertisers began using Christmas in July themes in print for summertime sales as early as 1950.<ref>"It's Christmas in July at Browning King" (advertisement), ''The New York Times'', July 20, 1950, p. 16.</ref> In the United States, it is more often used as a marketing tool than an actual holiday. Television stations may choose to re-run Christmas specials, and many stores have Christmas in July sales. This is partly because most bargainers sell Christmas goods around July to make room for next year's inventory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3013713/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/christmas-in-july-for-marketers-looking-to-gain-an-edge-ab|title=Christmas In July? For Marketers Looking To Gain An Edge, Absolutely|date=2013-07-02|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

==Celebrations==
===Southern Hemisphere===
In the [[Southern Hemisphere]], seasons are in reverse to the [[Northern Hemisphere]], with [[summer]] falling in [[December]], [[January]], and [[February]], and with [[winter]] falling in [[June]], [[July]], and [[August]]. Therefore, in some Southern Hemisphere countries, such as [[Australia]], [[South Africa]], and [[New Zealand]], Christmas in July or '''Midwinter Christmas''' events are undertaken in order to have Christmas with a winter feel in common with the Northern Hemisphere.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blue Mountains Yulefest: Christmas in July|url=http://goaustralia.about.com/od/eventsandfestivals/a/yulefest.htm|publisher=goaustralia.about.com|access-date=2012-12-24|archive-date=2013-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120114714/http://goaustralia.about.com/od/eventsandfestivals/a/yulefest.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mid Winter Christmas|url=http://www.guidetoauckland.co.nz/articles/2010/06/mid-winter-christmas/|publisher=guidetoauckland.co.nz|access-date=2012-12-24|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222221631/http://www.guidetoauckland.co.nz/articles/2010/06/mid-winter-christmas/|archive-date=2013-02-22|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ho ho how to celebrate Christmas in July|url=http://www.capetownmagazine.com/christmas-in-july|publisher=capetownmagazine.com|access-date=2012-12-24}}</ref> These countries still also celebrate Christmas on December 25, in their summer, like the Northern Hemisphere.

===Northern Hemisphere===
In the Northern Hemisphere, a Christmas in July celebration is deliberately [[irony|ironic]]; the July climate is typically hot and either sunny or rainy with thunderstorms, as opposed to the cold and [[White Christmas (weather)|snowy conditions]] traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Some people throw parties during July that mimic Christmas celebrations, bringing the atmosphere of Christmas but with warmer temperatures. Parties may include [[Santa Claus]], [[ice cream]], and other cold foods and gifts. [[Nightclubs]] often host parties open to the public. Christmas in July is usually recognized as July 25 but also sometimes celebrated on July 12.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southernliving.com/christmas/how-did-christmas-july-start|title=The Real Story Behind Christmas in July Started in North Carolina|website=Southern Living|language=en|access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>

The [[Hallmark Channel]] and its companion outlets ([[Hallmark Drama]] and [[Hallmark Movies & Mysteries]]) run blocks of their original Christmas television films in July to coincide with the release of the Keepsake Ornaments in stores, thus literally making the event a [[Hallmark holiday]] (an accusation that Hallmark Cards officially denies).

Every July, the television home shopping channel [[QVC]] sells Christmas in July, mostly decor and early gift ideas for children.  What was once a 24-hour block of holiday shopping every July 25 (or the closest weekend day to it) has become a month-long event: generally, the sales begin on July 1 and are showcased throughout the day, with various blocks of holiday sale programming sales throughout the month. Typically, during the last week of July, QVC dedicates entire days to holiday sales.

There is also Christmas in June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLs233emC6M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/JLs233emC6M |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Bill Maher - Atheists and Rick Perry's Christmas Law|last=SkepticStream|date=24 July 2013|access-date=30 October 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In some western countries, July has a limited number of marketing opportunities. In the United States and Canada, for example, there are no national holidays between the first week of July ([[Canada Day]] on July 1 in Canada and [[Independence Day (United States)|American Independence Day]] on July 4 in the United States) and Labor/Labour Day (the first Monday in September for both the [[Labor Day|US]] and [[Labour Day#Canada|Canada]]), leaving a stretch of about two months with no holidays (some Canadian provinces hold a [[Civic Holiday]], but neither Canada nor the United States has ever recognized a national holiday during that time). The late July period provides relatively few opportunities for [[merchandising]], since it is typically after the peak of summer product sales in June and early July, but before the "[[back to school (marketing)|back to school]]" shopping period begins in August. Therefore, to justify sales promotions, shops (such as [[Leon's]] in Canada) will sometimes announce a "Christmas in July" sale.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

A summer Christmas celebration is held on June 25 annually in Italy and worldwide.
25 June is a traditional Christmas celebration, or 6 months before the next, or 6 months after the previous (depending on how one looks at it).

It is celebrated at this particular moment as a statement and a reaction to the traditional Christmas celebration: there is no need to wait for one specific day to celebrate love, friendship, and peace. The movement started in Italy, Europe, where traditional Christmas is celebrated in [[winter]], leading to the alternative celebration, 6 months later, to be celebrated in summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unionesarda.it/articolo/cultura/2019/06/21/sarroch-l-idea-di-tiziano-festeggiare-il-natale-d-estate-8-895884.html|title=Sarroch, l'idea di Tiziano: "Festeggiare il Natale d'estate"|website=[[L'Unione Sarda]]|date=21 June 2019|access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref>
While it started as an improvised summer celebration in [[Venice]], it has become a yearly tradition. In the last 8 years, the celebrations have taken place mainly in [[Sardinia]], but the tradition is spreading across the world and becoming a worldwide movement.{{Citation needed|reason=Only article quoted refers to a marketing gimmick. No actual source for this whole paragraph.|date=July 2023}}

In parts of Denmark, people may have small Christmas celebrations and put up decorations for what is known as 'Jul i Juli' (translated as 'Christmas in July'). It is a simple play on words that has come to be celebrated by some, although it is not an official holiday.

====Christmas in August====
In the 1950s, the Christmas in July celebration became a [[Christmas in August (Yellowstone)|Christmas in August]] celebration at [[Yellowstone National Park]]. There are multiple theories concerning the origin of this celebration. Park employees, who were nicknamed "Savages" until the mid-1970s, were known to throw large employee parties in July complete with floats, skits, and dances. Some have speculated that the Christmas in August celebration was a way to extend the mid-summer festivities to the public and subdue the employee-only celebration. Another theory is that the celebration began as a way to incorporate a performance of [[Messiah (Handel)|Handel's 'Messiah']] by a student ministry working in the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60999-c15819/Yellowstone-National-Park:Wyoming:Yellowstone.S.Christmas.In.August.html|title=Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone's Christmas in August!|website=[[Tripadvisor]]|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref>

====Christmas in July in September====
Christmas in July in September has been marked as a celebration by some.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.claremoreprogress.com/community/christmas-in-july-in-september-to-benefit-troops/article_f3bd2488-f759-11ea-8882-b7de279dfcbe.html|title = Christmas in July—in September to benefit troops| date=15 September 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016 |title=2016 Meetings Events |url=http://www.brphc.org/images/2016_Meetings_Events.pdf |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> For example, [[Parker, Arizona]] had a celebration for it in September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://parkeraz.chambermaster.com/events/details/christmas-in-july-in-september-4141|title=Christmas In July In September|website=parkeraz.chambermaster.com}}</ref> While in the Philippines, [[Christmas in the Philippines|Christmas celebrations]] the longest running holiday season in the world begin four months early and run through the end of the year until [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]. Celebrations will unofficially start in September and run through months that end in "-ber" (September, October, November, and December).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/12/24/678616528/love-the-holidays-the-philippines-celebrates-4-months-of-christmas-mania|title = Love the Holidays? The Philippines Celebrates 4 Months of Christmas Mania|newspaper = NPR.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/the-country-where-christmas-festivities-start-in-september#:~:text=In%20the%20Philippines%2C%20the%20Christmas,Christmas%20carols%20and%20hold%20countdowns.|title = The country where Christmas festivities start in September}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/world/asia/irpt-xmas-philippines-traditions/index.html|title = The Philippines shows the world how to celebrate Christmas| website=[[CNN]] |date = 5 December 2012}}</ref>

==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmas in July}}
[[Category:Christmas events and celebrations]]
[[Category:July observances]]
[[Category:Unofficial observances]]
[[Category:Winter festivals in Australia]]