Feel the Joy of Christmas in July

Posted by Amanda Hadley

The exact origins of the Christmas in July tradition are uncertain. It might have been in 1935, when a girl’s camp in South Carolina decided to use a Christmas theme for their summer pageant. Or when the Calvary Baptist church in Washington DC sung carols and urged people to donate Christmas presents in July to give to the needy in 1942. The pastor of that church claimed the idea came from a similar program in Philadelphia that had been running for years. Then the post office got involved with themed greeting cards in 1945. By the 1950’s the entire retail community was on board, including advertising, themed events and city wide sales. Now there are national campaigns and certain cities that go all out for a little festive cheer to beat the heat.

It is best known for being a marketing tool used to stimulate more sales during the slow summer months, but it isn’t all about shopping. The Phoenix Arizona Zoo hosts a Winter in July event that allows patrons to view the animals while playing winter games and enjoying a “blizzard” of fake snow every 20 mins. Santa Claus, Indiana, home to the world’s first Christmas theme park, goes all out with its extravagant Santa Parade. Chalfort, Pennsylvania celebrates with singing reindeer and an indoor snowstorm. It brings people together with a sense of community and warmth, while breaking the heat of the summer.

There are a number of reasons to participate in the Christmas in July celebration. In addition to the fun activities often associated with this marketing holiday, taking advantage of the sales and deals being offered by most retailers can help you enjoy a less stressful winter as well. A lot of times you can find those big ticket items at deep discounts, allowing you to get a more elaborate gift than you might have expected. It helps invigorate the economy while allowing consumers to better budget their holiday spending. We here at overstockArt.com want to do our part by offering our customers some of the best savings possible on unique and beautiful art during these warmer months. That way you know that your friends and family will be receiving amazing gift once the winter holiday comes.

About the Author Amanda Hadley

Amanda graduated from the University of Kansas, where she studied English literature and got a masters degree in library sciences. She enjoys reading, cooking and playing with her nephews. Her best friend is her little dog Brady.

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