Escape the Summer Heat: Celebrate Christmas in July
In case you are wondering, Christmas in July is actually a thing in some parts of the world, most especially here amongst Aussies.
Also known as Yuletide or Yulefest in Australia, Christmas in July is a popular tradition, where people celebrate the festive season in the middle of winter. The legend goes that some Aussies were so homesick for a white Christmas that they decided to create their own. And so, Christmas in July was born!
So, every 25th of July, Australians celebrate Christmas. This Christmas is in addition to the Christmas that we also celebrate in December. Australians of all backgrounds consider Christmas in July as a way to deviate from the summer Christmas they are experiencing every year in December.
Why Is There Christmas in July?
In Australia, the seasons are exactly opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. This means that contrary to the weather in the northern hemisphere, where winter is in December and summer is in June, Australia’s winter is from June to August, whilst summer is from December to February. This makes Christmas in July the perfect time to experience the cold winter weather that is usually associated with Christmas in December.
Christmas in July is also celebrated as a way to escape the summer heat and to genuinely enjoy the cold Christmas feels.
Whilst Christmas in July does not necessarily equate to Christmas in December, Australians still celebrate Christmas in December. But because it is summer season for them and with the weather so hot, they don’t feel like celebrating it the way people do in December in other parts of the world. They would rather find ways to escape the heat and enjoy their public holidays.
How Can We Celebrate Christmas in July?
There are many different ways to celebrate Christmas in July. Here are some Christmas in July ideas you might want to check:
1. Christmas Decorations
Some people like to decorate their homes with lights and many other Christmas decorations like lights, wreaths, trees and garlands. If you are looking for more Christmas decorations and Christmas in July ideas for your home, here are some suggestions:
- Gingerbread house, man or tree
- Nativity pieces
- Nutcracker head cookie jars
- Santa and elves
- Outdoor Christmas decorations
- Christmas tree decorations
2. Festive Food
There is no better way to bring families together than special meals prepared with love to be shared with the whole family. These are just a few Christmas in July ideas—there are plenty of other festive dishes you could make for your Christmas in July celebrations. Just get creative and have fun with it!
- Turkey and all the trimmings
- Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding
- Christmas pudding with brandy sauce
- Mince pies
- Christmas cake
- Fruit mince pies
- Pavlova with summer fruits
- Lemonade or iced tea punch
3. Exchanging Gifts
Christmas is after all a season of giving. How about organising a Secret Santa gift exchange or giving presents to your friends and family? You can quickly find a gift from an all-year-round Christmas shop like us at Merry & Bright.
A Brief Story About Secret Santa
Secret Santa, or Kris Kringle, is an anonymous style of giving gifts. The style of gift giving is patterned on the concept that Sant Claus brings gifts in secrecy. Meaning, nobody saw his presence but the gifts he left under the Christmas tree.
Emulate jolly old Saint Nicholas by conducting Secret Santa gift exchange. This can be full of fun, because nobody knows who’s the giver and who’s the receiver. Everybody will all be surprised when unboxing or revelation time arrives!
Here are more suggestions for Christmas in July gifts:
- A festive food hamper filled with Christmas goodies like mince pies, fruitcake and gingerbread.
- Fruit baskets filled with strawberries, cherries and watermelons and anything you like to add.
- A festive mug or Christmas decorations to help get into the Christmas spirit.
- A Christmas sock filled with chocolates.
- It can be a box wrapped perfectly but filled with baubles and wonderful Christmas ornaments you can add to your Christmas tree decorations.
Whatever you choose Christmas in July gift ideas, make sure it’s something that will help your loved ones enjoy the festive season.
4. Other Ways to Celebrate
Need more Christmas decorations and Christmas in July ideas? Here are other ways to celebrate. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will help your loved ones enjoy the festive season.
- Prepare a Charcuterie board and bring your friends over whilst creating fun games
- Conduct a movie marathon of all your favourite Christmas movies
- Go house to house and sing Christmas carols
- Go nostalgic by letting children create their handcrafted Christmas cards
Celebrate Christmas in July with Merry & Bright
Christmas in July is the perfect opportunity to feel the white and cold Christmas, and it’s the total opposite of the summer Christmas you have in December.
So if you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate Christmas a little early this year, why not give Christmas in July a try?
For more Christmas in July ideas in terms of decors, ornaments, wreaths, garlands and Christmas trees, Merry & Bright has got something for you! We are an all-year-round Christmas shop in Sydney. Shop now and enjoy free shipping on orders over $250.