A Christmas Wedding and the Start of Christmas in July

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I know it’s August right now, but I just had a book release, The Christmas Wedding, about a week ago, and it made me start wondering: Just why do we have so many Christmas in July things? There are new Christmas books, Christmas in July parties, and some stores even start pulling out the red, white, and green while the red, white, and blue is marked down!

July is not even halfway to Christmas! So, why? Sure, sometimes on a hot summer month you want to think cool, but it was a question that got me digging for an answer. Is it more than just an excuse to celebrate? 

Turns out, it is.

In France in 1892, is where it all started, but it was just a brief mention. The opera Werther has the line: “Vous chantez Noël en juillet… c’est s’y prendre à l’avance.” Google Translate told me that means it is getting ready or looking ahead early. 

 

 

However, as we Americans often do, we took something and changed it. In 1894, there was an English translation of that line by Elizabeth Beall Ginty. Her translation has the character say: “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.” 

I’m going to pause right here, and beg to differ…for me personally, I’m not rushing anything, I’m extending it! After all, there’s a LOT to do around Christmas! And, if it’s anything in your house like mine, we all know who makes that happen…

But, back to the origin. There wasn’t anything more I could find until 1933, when an all girls summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina, started what we all know of as Christmas in July. Co-founder Fannie Holt requested the celebration as one of the events for the campers, and it was complete with carolers, a Christmas tree, and even a visit from Santa Claus. 

 

 

Not too long after, in 1940, the movie Christmas in July was released, and with a wider audience than a single girls’ camp, the phrase spread, and more events followed. During World War II, the United States Postal Service and the military branches worked with advertisers and the greeting card industry to promote early Christmas mailing campaigns to soldiers overseas, so that they’d get those cards in time. Churches and other groups collected and shipped gifts for the soldiers, and, the some soldiers themselves, to keep morale up, had their own Christmas in July celebrations. 

 

Copyright (c) Leslie Jones.
All rights reserved.

The war eventually ended, but the phrase stuck, and so did the idea of doing something Christmassy that month. Retailers also ran with the idea. Historically for them, July is a slower month, since there’s no major holiday between 4th of July and Labor Day. But, it was a good way to get people in their door to boost sales. 

Even with the commercial aspect nowadays, I really enjoyed learning about the historical beginning. 

Whether you celebrate Christmas in July in a small or big way, or not at all, I hope you found the origins of it interesting! I admit, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say it started in the 1800s, France, when it was just a saying, but who am I to argue with history? 

Now…how about a giveaway?

 

If you’d like your chance to win a prize today, AND, potentially a prize from more than 25 authors, let me share how to do that. 

 

 

For the chance to win from one of the 25+ authors, just stop by by reader community! August 6-8 we are having a party, with so many games, and prizes every single day! 

So, for today’s blog post, just comment below if you have ever done anything for Christmas in July, and one winner will win their choice of any of my Red Ridge Chronicles ebooks. Just tell me which you’d like. 

 

 

 

49 thoughts on “A Christmas Wedding and the Start of Christmas in July”

  1. Loved learning that bit of history!

    I’ve done some Christmas in July things, usually involving purchases or reading Christmas romance books.

  3. I might watch a Christmas movie or read a Christmas book, but that’s it unless I find something on sale for a Christmas present.

  10. I love the getting the Christmas books in July. I like The Christmas Wedding. Thanks for the interesting article.

  11. I love reading about Christmas. I just finished reading about the Christmas book flood in Iceland. What a charming idea. I shop year-round for my six grandkids’ Christmas gifts. I also start making things in July that I can give for Christmas. I would love to have a copy of the Christmas wedding.

  12. oh what a wonderful post today. Once some friends and I got together and we went for a weekend to a cabin on the lake and spoiled ourselves as well as swimming and reading. It was our “Christmas in July”. None of us were married yet and we had such a fun time dreaming and sharing.
    If I win: I would love to start from the beginning. Book 1 – The Gunslinger

  13. Loved learning about the history of Christmas in July. We have had events at church where we learned new crafts so we would have time to practice and be ready for Christmas !

  14. Thank you for all this information , I find it very interesting. I sure dont mind Christmas in July celebrations, I love Everyting Christmas! I do start shopping early, and for me it is never too early to start shopping. Have a Great day. I am not entering this giveaway as I am not tech savvy and dont ready ebooks, but Thank you.

  16. No, we have never done anything for Christmas in July. All of the books sounds awesome. I don’t have any of them, so I would start with number 1.

  17. I did a Christmas In July ??party for the senior living house. I worked at. When I was their Activity Coordinator.
    I would love The Gunslinger.
    I dressed up as a Woman Gunslinger for Halloween ? one year. Thank you for your Generosity ?

  18. I don’t do Christmas in July, I already have the Red Ridge Chronicles series, thank you!

  19. I personally don’t celebrate Christmas in July but I do take advantage of the sales. hehe Believe it or not, around here Halloween stuff started hitting the shelves August 1st!!!!!!!!

  20. Nothing at all but my choice would choose the Drifter although you all look great. I have Kindle Unlimited so I will put them on my list to read soon. Thank you including them in Kindle Unlimited

  21. I have not done anything for Christmas in July except to notice that all the stores are already setting things up ?

  23. Never done anything for Christmas in July that I can remember. Very interesting how it got started. I know at church for missions we did bring items in July to donate to a project.
    Thanks for the information and the chance to win.

  24. I never really heard of Christmas in July until a few years ago when authors and publishers started having Christmas in July events. Other than participating in those, I’ve not done much to celebrate.

  25. I’d love a Christmas wedding whether July or December. Christmas in July gives us a
    Special sparkle

  26. I like to start looking for Christmas gifts in July. I love celebrating BOOKS ? in July and getting free ones, too! ????

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