Accordingly, the United States now has two Christmases to celebrate –December 25th and July 25th of every calendar year – from hot to cold weather.  The July celebration sometimes is referred to as “Half-Christmas.”

The special “Christmas in July” celebration was invented by Fannie Holt 84-years-ago.  She was one of the founders of Keystone Camp for Girls in the small mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina.  Holt was a woman remembered fondly for her whimsy and creativity who had the idea for a Christmas-themed celebration in the middle of the hot and humid summer season.  It was not held as an extra wholesaler’s business and holiday advertising day.

However, it did include a Christmas tree, carolers, snow made of cotton, Santa Claus, presents for all, and make-shift laundry bags for stockings.  Added later was Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeer.

In the Bible, the month of July symbolizes “A time of new beginnings and spiritual growth.”  Another definition reads, “July is a time of harvest in many parts of the world, symbolizing abundance and blessings from God.”

The Bible verse for the month of July is “Keep me safe. O God, for in you, I take refuge.  I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord: apart from you, I have no good thing.”  It can be found in Psalm 16:1.

A representative from Christmas decorating conglomerate, Balsam Hill, writes, “Christmas in July is a month-long celebration inspired by traditions and themes.”  It is “getting the public in the ‘Christmas Spirit’ during the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.”

It is especially popular in the Southern Hemisphere, where July is in the middle of winter.  It means to share joy and to recreate the wonderful feeling of Christmastime.  The four seasons are reversed in this global locale.  It is winter in July and August in the Southern Hemisphere, while it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, including Tennessee.

In the United States, the idea was born in 1935 in a girls’ camp in North Carolina out of creativity and enthusiasm for the holidays.  Of note, the Hallmark television channel and other local and cable channels are celebrating this event in their programming schedules.  Globally, persons celebrate in July in various avenues, including decorating for Christmas, watching movie marathons (Hallmark Channel), or preparing a special commemorative dinner for family and friends, just to name a few.

The movie, “Rudolph and Frosty – Christmas in July” is available for viewing online, on DVR, or by video rental or purchase.

Surprisingly and of particular interest is the celebration of “Leon Day,” an official holiday celebration in the United States on June 25.  It is the halfway mark to Christmas.  The exact origin of Leon Day is unknown.  Leon if Noel spelled backward!  The day is referred to as “National Leon Day” marking six months from Christmas.

In conclusion, the halfway mark to Christmas on December 25 in the United States is on June 25 – five days before Christmas in July begins.

Regardless, it’s a “Ho, Ho, Ho” good time, whenever it occurs.