Controversial opinion: it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas.
Some people love summer. Some people love Halloween. Some people even love Bonfire Night. Many of us, however, treasure the magic of Christmas all year round.
You don’t have to wish it could be Christmas every day. Life is unpredictable, but Christmas is a consistently comforting time of year for many of us. Whatever life may throw at us the rest of the year, Christmas is there to help us slow down and appreciate the little things. It’s only natural, therefore, to find ourselves itching to plan for the festive season.
That’s why ‘Christmas in July’ has become a popular mid-year celebration. It’s a growing tradition that focuses on celebrating or planning for Christmas in the middle of the year, right between the holiday seasons.
At WeRChristmas, we’re naturally massive fans of Christmas in July. So, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the trend and our tips for planning your festive season early.
What is Christmas in July?
Like most modern traditions, ‘Christmas in July’ originated in the United States - North Carolina to be specific - in the 1930s, when Keystone Camp organised a Christmas-themed party for its campers. The trend doesn’t actually involve celebrating Christmas in July. Instead, it’s a chance to get ahead with your holiday planning and even host a themed party.
During the 1950s and 60s, the concept became mainstream in the U.S. as it started to be referenced in marketing and movies. What began as an excuse for a quirky-themed summer party has transitioned into a trend all about getting ready for Christmas early.
In the UK, we celebrate Christmas in July for many reasons - one of them being that the weather can really get us down in the first half of the year, so we need something to lift our spirits after a long, cold winter. It can be the pick-me-up we need to get us through the rest of the year... plus, it's a great excuse to spend time with family and friends.
July is when retailers start to tease their Christmas collections, including offering pre-orders for the most hotly anticipated releases. You can also expect your social media feeds to start filling up with Christmas content in July.
There are over 1 million posts on the #ChristmasinJuly tag on Instagram, so there’s no shortage of inspiration. You can even expect channels like Hallmark to start showing Christmas movies to gear up for the holiday season.
The Benefits of Planning Christmas Early:
Christmas in July isn’t just an excuse to throw a party. It’s a great way to get ahead with your holiday planning, especially if you have a large family, like to go all-out, or you’re on hosting duties this year. Starting your planning in July can help make Christmas more affordable by spreading the cost across six months, instead of one.
It helps reduce stress by allowing you to avoid the last-minute shopping rush, giving you time to plan your gifts and DIY projects. We have a wide range of ribbon, satin, and mesh to get your creative juices flowing, as well as picks and sprays to add a festive flourish to any project.
It makes it easier to take advantage of pre-Christmas sales and avoid paying higher prices during December. Our Last Chance page has a range of festive products on offer, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
It gives you more opportunities to be creative, whether it’s hosting themed events or experimenting with different Christmas decorating trends.
It also avoids potential supply shortages by ordering food and gifts early, including your Christmas turkey and your tree.
How to Celebrate Christmas in July
Whether you're drawn to the idea of a mid-year celebration or simply looking to stay ahead with your festive planning, there’s no wrong way to do Christmas in July. Some prefer a full-blown themed event, while others use the time to ease into gift lists and budgeting. If the summer heat isn't quite your thing, or you'd rather spread out the holiday prep, July offers the ideal moment to start thinking ahead to Christmas.
Here are four easy ways to start getting into the festive spirit this July:
1. Host a Christmas Themed Party
You never know what the UK weather is going to bring. It’s either BBQ weather or rain for days. If you’re looking for an excuse to invite your friends and family over at the start of summer, consider throwing an unconventional mid-year festive party. Put a Christmas playlist together and serve your favourite festive food, from pigs in blankets to gingerbread men and mince pies.
You don’t have to get your tree out. Something as simple as a wreath on the door, or some fairy lights in the garden, is enough to add a pop of festive magic. We have plenty of Christmas décor that is affordable and can be set up (and taken back down) easily and quickly.
2. Start Your Christmas Shopping Early
You won’t see any festive displays in supermarkets just yet, but July is still a great time to start shopping. Sit down and create a gift list with ideas of what to buy your friends and family. Planning your list early means you can buy items in advance, especially if they go on sale. July is when most high street shops hold their mid-year sales, making it the perfect chance to snap up a bargain.
3. Experiment with Christmas Decorating
Hear us out! We're not suggesting you dust off the Christmas tree just yet, but it’s a good time to start considering your decorating theme for the year. You can explore our new arrivals at WeRChristmas and our blog to get decorating ideas. Thinking about your decorating early makes it easier to budget for larger purchases, such as a new Christmas tree, or outdoor silhouettes.
4. Start Christmas DIY & Craft Projects
If you’re a fan of making DIY gifts and craft projects for Christmas, July is the perfect time to start planning. Bigger projects can take time, and getting started early makes the process more enjoyable. Instead of rushing everything in December, you can tackle a little each week and make things more manageable.
Christmas in July: just a trend, or a worthwhile tradition?
Christmas in July is a chance to look ahead and start planning to make your decorating, shopping, and hosting a little easier. This is the perfect time to shop our new arrivals and explore our blog for more tips and tricks on how to prepare for the upcoming festive season.
With WeRChristmas, our products are so good you’ll want to use them twice in one year.
