The calendar might say July, but it says Christmas in July to the Hallmark Channel – and Good Earth Plant Company. Photo: Maria Kray
We’ve just wrapped up our Fourth of July fun, and a lot of it involved getting outdoors. Picnics, parades, fireworks, and vacation time. More sun, less screens (but not less sunscreen, that’s a different thing).
Now you might return to those screens and see – Santa? Christmas trees? Holiday gift sales?
Maybe you aren’t ready for Christmas in July, but it’s here. It might seem like a marketing grab, but there’s a real story behind Christmas in July.
Christmas In July Has North Carolina Roots
Christmas in July was started 89 years ago at Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. It’s a girls’ only camp still open today. In 1933, camp co-founder Fannie Holt started the tradition. She was often called a dreamer and a creative personality. Two years later, an article in the National Recreation Association’s magazine wrote, “all mystery and wonder surround this annual event.” It had a Christmas tree and all decorations, with a visit from Santa complete with gifts.
The 1940 movie “Christmas In July” is still available on DVD.
The idea got much more fanfare from the 1940 movie “Christmas in July.” In the story, the co-workers of an ambitious clerk trick him into thinking he has won $25,000 in a slogan contest. He begins to use the money to fulfill his dreams, buying gifts for family and friends and proposing to his girlfriend. When the clerk finds out it wasn’t real, he has to scramble. But of course, it all works out in the end. You can still get the DVD on Amazon!
Early in the years during World War II, the Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., celebrated Christmas in July with carols and the sermon Christmas Presents in July. The special service focused on collecting gifts for distribution worldwide, and it was so popular it became an annual event. The U.S. Post Office and military officials caught on and held a Christmas in July luncheon in New York in 1944 and 1945 to promote an Early Christmas Mailing Campaign for troops overseas during World War II.
After World War II, as America began to prosper, advertisers picked it up. Finally, we can’t forget the Hallmark Channel, which has made a massive success from its much-loved, nonstop parade of holiday movies. You can bet some of your past favorites are running right now.
Now Good Earth Plant Company is completely on board with Christmas in July. No, we aren’t closet Hallmark Channel fans.
Serious Holiday Planning Starts Early – As In Now
Looking for a beautiful holiday display for your lobby or building interior this year? You need to start serious planning now. Photo: Michael Gauda
For a lot of us, Christmas in July became a survival tool. Because concerns about pandemic caused supply chain problems ruining our holiday celebrations after being completely locked down, we had to get started early. Those supply chain issues are still with us.
We confess it feels a little like Groundhog Day when Christmas planning time comes around. But the holidays are so important to many people, including our clients. We don’t want to let anyone down.
We’re excited to offer Good Earth Plant Company clients the chance to work with a holiday decor specialist again this year – Whinnery Designs. Photo: Courtesy Whinnery Designs
For many of our clients, 2022 will be the first year for a real holiday gathering in office buildings, hotels, and other large indoor spaces since the pandemic. Workplaces that finally brought their workers back to the office this year deserve to celebrate together. And if you’d like to see more people coming back into the workplace in person, nothing is more cheerful than a Christmas tree, no matter your religious beliefs.
Last year, we reached out for help from an expert: Susan Whinnery of Whinnery Designs, who specializes in holiday décor for businesses, office lobbies, hotels, malls, and more. Last year Whinnery Designs dressed up California for the holiday with 170 trees and custom decorations!
From designs featuring the new Pantone Color of the Year (Very Peri!) to traditional red and green designs, right now, during Christmas in July, ANYTHING is possible. But it all depends on you.
Share Your Holiday Decor Dreams, We’ll Make Them Come True
Silver and gold will shine bright in holiday displays this year. Photo: Raventhorne
Time to get into the holiday spirit with Good Earth Plant Company! We hope you’ll embrace our version of “Christmas In July 2022.” We don’t know what will happen with the supply chain in 2022. And – not to be a Scrooge, but then throw in inflation.
So – we’re ready for your holiday plans. Why not look forward to some holiday fun all year, even if the temperatures will heat up a little in San Diego this week?
If you need some ideas, our colleague, Charlie Lenger from Plant Partners of Sarasota, Florida, tells us the feeling from the East Coast is lighthearted. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of a truly pandemic-free holiday in 2022?
If you have your heart set on pink poinsettias for the 2022 holiday season, you’d be smart to reserve them now. Photo: Pixabay
The color palette trends at the 2021 Christmas show were pale pink Christmas Trees with either candy or gingerbread displays or sophisticated jam-packed floral displays with pink poinsettias. We predict the pink variety will be in short supply this year. Silver and gold will shine bright in holiday displays this year. But not if you get in line first. Can we make this hint any more obvious? Call 858-576-9300 or email us at dan@goodearthplants.com before you forget it and regret it!
