Here’s the story behind the Christmas celebration in July. Christmas doesn't have to come only once a year: That's the premise behind Christmas in July. But if you think the idea of Christmas in July was created by retailers or greeting card manufacturers to boost purchases in the midst of a summer slump, you'd be wrong.
What Is Christmas in July?
According to legend, Christmas in July was first celebrated at a girls' summer camp in 1933, when Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina decided to dedicate two days (July 24 and 25) to the holiday—complete with cotton fake snow, a decked-out tree, a gift exchange, and, of course, Santa.
A few years later, the concept hit pop culture when the movie Christmas in July arrived in theaters in 1940. The plot? A man's colleagues prank him into thinking his work won a $25,000 prize—and he goes on a jolly spree of generosity (including finally proposing to his longtime love). By the 1950s, retailers had hit on the concept, and now, Christmas in July sales are a big phenomenon.
