| I once read in Wikipedia that the earliest known | | | | are raised for Vision Australia, providing services, |
| occasion to make the phrase Christmas in July | | | | facilities, and information to the visually impaired. I |
| literal was in July 1933 at Camp Keystone, a girl's | | | | have worn glasses since grade school, but what |
| summer camp in North Carolina, which celebrated | | | | has been more impactful are two dear friends |
| with a Christmas tree, Christmas wreaths, gifts, | | | | who are legally blind with matching (almost) seeing |
| and a visit by Santa Claus. In 1935, the National | | | | eye dogs, Astro and Max. My father-in-law, who |
| Recreation Association's journal Recreation | | | | suffers from macular degenerative disease, has |
| described what a Christmas in July was like at a | | | | been compromised as well with visual impairment. |
| girl's camp, writing that "all mystery and wonder | | | | Oh to see the twinkling of Christmas tree lights! |
| surround this annual event. | | | | May we not take the little things for granted. |
| In July 1942 the Washington Post reported that a | | | | The second Christmas in July event in 2008 raised |
| sermon was delivered in a Washington DC church | | | | over $15,000 and benefited Hunter Life Education, |
| entitled "Christmas presents in July." The idea was | | | | empowering children and young people to make |
| for the congregation to place donations over | | | | healthy choices. I had the privilege of working with |
| decorated Christmas trees that would be used to | | | | Education Foundation in my community which |
| purchase presents for distribution to missions | | | | helped students earn their first two years of |
| worldwide. Doing this in July would give ample time | | | | college through service and grades. Having |
| for the presents to arrive in their destinations. | | | | transformed high schools into themed events for |
| In July 1944 The New York Times reported the | | | | the Education Foundation I found this event |
| US Post Office, along with US Army and Navy | | | | empowering! |
| officials, threw a Christmas in July luncheon to | | | | However, some would say that Christmas in July |
| promote a Christmas card campaign for | | | | is nothing more than one of corporate America's |
| servicemen and women in World War II. | | | | Christmas ideas and a marketing ploy. Many |
| Christmas in July has deeper traditions in Australia | | | | major retailers such as Target, Sears, and Kmart |
| than in the United States though the tradition | | | | are advertising specials to get customers in their |
| started in the US. One of the bigger reasons is | | | | stores and or even putting up special "Christmas |
| the difference in climate. According to the | | | | Lanes." And it's not just Christmas ornaments, |
| Australian Bureau of Meteorology July is the | | | | holiday decorations, and Christmas tree lights on |
| coldest time of the year, - averaging 61° - while | | | | sale. Besides enticing people to buy Christmas |
| December and January are the warmest months, | | | | presents early many stores are offering |
| averaging almost 80°. July is the peak snow | | | | back-to-school items. |
| season in Australia. Most of the prominent ski | | | | It seems to me that the reason for the season is |
| resorts have special events and celebrations. | | | | the remembrance of Jesus Christ. I'm for |
| I recently came across an article on au about a | | | | anything that helps us remember our Savior, but I |
| Christmas in July Charity Ball. As I read on I | | | | must admit that neither my clients or I have ever |
| discovered their first event was in 2007. Funds | | | | gotten in to the full swing of Christmas in July. |