Last week Trista and I stopped at a local restaurant for lunch, expecting nothing more than a quiet meal together. We most definitely were surprised at the scene we saw as we sat down.
In the dining room sat nearly thirty women celebrating Christmas in July. These ladies were impossible to miss! Bright red shirts, Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, jingling earrings, and enough holiday spirit that made both of us excited to see what was really happening...
I wish I had taken a photo of how cute they looked, but I was too involved in watching their excitement...
This is Texas! The temperatures have been hovering around 100 degrees, and just looking at those sweaters made me start sweating! I honestly don’t know how they managed to wear any kind of sweater without melting into their chairs. But not one of them seemed to mind.
The room was filled with loud cheers, and each time one of the ladies would open their gift, there would be a burst of laughter. Loud? Yes for sure, but it was so fun watching them. Even Trista and I could not wait for the next package to be opened so that we could see their excitement.
This was a first for both Trista and myself to see a Christmas in July party....but it reminded me that we don’t have to wait until December to celebrate the season of giving. Nothing wrong with a little Christmas spirit in the middle of a long, hot summer. It breaks up the routine, and I suppose it gives friends a reason to gather.
My brain was thinking the entire time about what fun gifts one could give for a Christmas in July party... And the good thing is (😂) you could find plenty of Christmas wrapping at Hobby Lobby..
Do you think that this is why this store puts out the Christmas paper so early in July? just kidding!!
Who says Christmas has to be snowflakes and fireplaces? This party looked like sunshine, fun Christmas wrapping and some really neat homemade Santa hats!
While watching those ladies, I realized that joy doesn’t necessary belong to a season. It belongs to the people who choose to create it. These adorable ladies were not waiting for December to celebrate friendship. Instead, they made an ordinary summer afternoon feel like a holiday.
Maybe that’s the real lesson of Christmas in July. Celebrate often. Laugh loudly. Gather your friends. Exchange a few thoughtful gifts. Make memories whenever you can.
Have you ever attended a Christmas in July party? If so, I’d love to hear about it! What fun gifts did you exchange, and do you think you could survive wearing a Christmas sweater in the Texas heat?
Shug....🎄🎅
I do watch Christmas shows in July, but the weather on the movies is always cold or snowing and the decorations are festive with winter wonderland, so it's nice to see that with the summer days being so hot. I've never heard of a Christmas in July party, and I just couldn't get into the whole beach scene at Christmastime. But those flip flops with the Santa hats are cute, and it sounds like the ladies were having such fun.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a surprise for you and Trista to watch as the party went on. And it's wonderful to see the holiday spirit inside people all year long.
Good for them!
ReplyDeleteHi Shug. I've never been to a Christmas in July party. Sounds like fun, though, and it looks very, very festive. Love your headers. Do you do them yourself? I wish you could give me some lessons on how to do that. Hugs. Susan P.S. Prayers continue for you and Sam.
ReplyDeleteLove this kind of friendship and celebration.
ReplyDeleteYes, one year we had Christmas in July for our annual celebration. I think it was right after being housebound with Covid restrictions.
We had White Elephant gifts, gobs of food and even had our traditional Santa. I will have to see if I can dig up some photos from my archives.
Stay cool there Girl Friend.. Its suppose to get to 100F this afternoon. Ugh for us.
(((hugs)))
Sue
"Joy doesn’t necessarily belong to a season. It belongs to the people who choose to create it." AMEN to that, Shug! Wise words indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and rare thing for you to be able to see!!! I have never heard of this! I have heard of Christmas In July sales, but that is all. Hey, this flip-flop garland is so YOU!! Here, there is a lot of Summerween, though. I even bought two tiny ghost kitty salt & pepper shakers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to see and be inspired by! I've never been part of one, but now I'm thinking this is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteOh Shug - this is Sandie/Chatty Crone. I am in the mist of changing my email and things are all messed up.
ReplyDeleteWell, I love the idea of Christmas in July. I think you are right - we should celebrate all the time - it just doesn't have to be at Christmas time. Hugs.
never known Christmas in July in America...
ReplyDeletewe should try by next year....
# Just to remind that there is snow season in New Zealand and Australia during summers in America and Europe....
Christmas in July would be fun, and maybe underlying it was the thought that one of their number might not see December. It happens.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like those ladies were having fantastic fun! Celebrating Christmas in July does sound great with a break from thinking about the summer heat.
ReplyDeleteThis a great reminder that we don't need to wait for Christmas to celebrate the joys of friendship and gift-giving, Shug. I love it! So glad you witnessed such joy and shared it with us here.today.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun. I bet it was just as much fun for you watching it as it was for them celebrating together.
ReplyDeleteHow fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best ideas I have ever heard. I don't have enough days in July to organize one but this is going on my calendar for next year for sure!
ReplyDeleteShug, last week we had our family dinner and my DIL (Alex) decided on the Christmas in July Theme! She had the table decorated and the kitchen too. She and Morgan were wearing festive hats and each of the 7 grands had a little gift at their place setting. It was so fun! I think she was trying to wish a little winter into our 95 degree days :)
ReplyDeleteI ❤️this tradition, Shug! Were those ladies dressed in purple with red hats, perhaps? Years ago I belonged to the "Red Hat Society" -- for about 20 minutes. (Another story for another day!)
ReplyDeleteA few years ago Tom and I hosted a Christmas in July get together with friends. Now I regret that it didn't become a tradition.
I have never even heard of a Christmas in July party, bt it sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a Christmas in July party, but it does sound like loads of fun! xx
ReplyDelete