9 Ideas for Summer Christmas in July to Rev Up Your Holiday Spirit

Bake Christmas Cookies

If there's one holiday tradition we can't live without, it's baking our favorite Christmas cookies year after year. To celebrate in the summer, whip out Grandma's classic recipes, or use this time to try a new recipe. That way, you'll know exactly what to bake when the busy holiday season rolls around. If you don't feel like turning the oven on and heating the kitchen, try one of our delicious no-bake cookie recipes instead.

Have a Christmas Movie Marathon

There's nothing like a Hallmark Christmas marathon to remind you that cooler days are coming. So if you need a break from the heat, turn on the A/C and tune in to Hallmark's Christmas in July marathon. Or, gather the family for a showing of one of the classics, like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation or A Christmas Story.

Make a Christmas Craft

The holiday season is notoriously busy, and once Thanksgiving is over, it seems like we can never find a free weekend to decorate the house for Christmas. This year, spend a few days in July working on festive Christmas crafts that you can use as holiday decor. That way, you'll be ready to deck the halls as soon as Thanksgiving dinner is put away. These farmhouse-inspired Christmas crafts are a few of our favorites.

Listen to Christmas Music

Research has proven that listening to Christmas music can help calm you, and that's not just limited to the winter months! After all, we could all use some stress relief after the past few months. Even if you can't host a full-on holiday party this summer, you can still get in the Christmas spirit by playing a few of your favorite carols.

Make Christmas Ornaments

I love giving handmade Christmas gifts, but I always find myself scrambling to finish them in the days before the holiday. If you're looking for a way to wind down while celebrating a few months early, consider making Christmas ornaments with the family. These 26 Christmas ornament crafts are easy enough to make in an afternoon (the salt dough handprint ornament makes a great sentimental gift!).

Decorate the Tree for Summer

Just because the calendar says July doesn't mean you can't put the tree up! If you're going all out for summer Christmas in July, consider setting up a faux Christmas tree for a few weeks or display a small tabletop tree. After all, the sunflower Christmas tree trend fits the summer season perfectly. You could also use faux flowers to create a fun summery floral Christmas tree or buy a bright rainbow tree.

Make an Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

We typically start Advent calendars on December 1, but we love this DIY acts of kindness Advent calendar so much, we can't wait to start doing it twice a year.

If you don't already have one, it's easy to put together:

Choose a set number of good deeds to accomplish (think: writing to a senior pen pal, organizing a rainbow hunt, or filling all the parking meters on a busy street) this month and write each one down and place it in a numbered envelope. Then, choose one activity to do each day. Plus, once you create the numbered envelopes, you'll be ready to go again come December 1.

Do Good Deeds

Helping out a good cause is always at the top of my holiday to-do list, but many places actually need more help during the summer months. So many people donate to shelters or food banks around the holidays, but donations tend to trickle down once the holiday season has passed.

We recommend calling the organizations in your area and asking what their current needs are and how you can help from home. You can also contact local senior centers to see if you can drop off summer Christmas in July cards for the residents there. A sweet encouraging note on a festive holiday card is sure to brighten anyone's day.

Exchange Gifts

Who says you can't host a gift exchange in July? Gather your squad by hosting a swap party of gifts you've crafted yourself or throwing a white elephant party. If you're feeling creative, come up with a theme for the gifts that fits the season (think luau-inspired gifts or things you could use for a pool day). If you need help coming up with a gift, we've got 19 white elephant gift ideas that won't be re-gifted.