When is too early to start celebrating Christmas? While some look forward to Halloween or the height of summer, many of us treasure the magic of Christmas all year round. 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.  

The trend has been growing in popularity as a way to kickstart your Christmas planning or simply as a fun way to enjoy all things Christmas outside of the colder months of winter. 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. 

The Origins of 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 involve actually 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.  

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.  

Here are some of the benefits of planning for Christmas early: 

How to Celebrate or Plan For 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 set way to approach it. 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: 

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 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. 

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 for Christmas 2025. Thinking about your decorating early makes it easier to budget for larger purchases, such as a new Christmas tree, or outdoor silhouettes. 

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. 

Celebrate Christmas in July By Shopping at WeRChristmas 

Christmas in July is a chance to look ahead to the festive season 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 Christmas 2025.