(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection - Kiki's Corner)

Welcome to Christmas in July!

Really… how can it be? Who came up with that idea? July is six months away from Christmas. I wonder what they had in their mind when they decided to do that. … I’m sure it was someone who wanted to promote Christmas shopping early.

But I understand Christmas in July was first celebrated at a girls summer camp in 1933 in Brevard, North Carolina. They decided to dedicate two days (July 24-25) to the holiday, complete with cotton fake snow, a decked-out tree, gift exchange and, of course, Santa Claus.

Some people throw parties during July that mimic Christmas celebrations, bringing the atmosphere and hoping the temperatures will be cold to feel like Christmastime.

Honestly, I know very little about it but one thing for sure – the stores start displaying Christmas decorations of all kinds, plus Christmas trees. I think it is early, but with my situation that I decorate Christmas trees for the United Way Festival of Trees, it is perfect because I like to start early to purchase everything I need, plus I have more time and better choices.

Of course I have chosen ahead of time my themes for this year’s trees . Everyone is asking me if I have, and yes I do, but I want all of you to be surprised. One thing for sure, it will be different. I haven’t decorated two trees like that before. I hope you will like them when you see them in late November at the Blennerhassett Hotel.

After over 37 years of decorating Christmas trees, I tell you it’s not easy to pick unusual themes and come up with different ideas.

The first six months of 2025 seem like they flew by, and I’m sure the other six will be even worse because there is so much in my agenda that it will be a huge challenge to accomplish everything. But you know what they say, if there is a will, there is a way, and I believe in that.

One thing for sure, I miss decorating my Greek tree at the Blennerhassett Museum every year for the Trees of Our Heritage exhibit. It was a wonderful tradition to see all the trees from different countries with unusual ornaments.

The Hallmark Channel in July has the nicest Christmas movies that bring the Christmas spirit.

Sorry, I still say we need to stick with Christmas in December and not in July.

You can’t help laughing sometimes when you go to the stores and see bathing suits, Halloween decorations, fall decorations, school supplies, Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations along with heavy jackets as well. It’s kind of confusing.

P.S. Before I finish my article, I want to share with you a little quick story. I was at the Walmart grocery store a few days ago and a lovely, older lady stopped and asked me, “Are you the one that I think you are?” I said, “Who do you think I am?” and she said, “I read your article in the newspaper every week and I enjoy them very much,” and “Oh, I wish I was like you.”

At that point, I hugged the lady and told her it was so sweet of her to say those kind words to me. She told me she was 92 years old and still very active as she goes up a stepladder to change light bulbs. I said, “Ma’am, you cannot do that. Don’t take chances; you let somebody else do it.” I didn’t want to ask her name because a lot of people don’t want their names in the paper.

Ma’am, when you read my article today, I want you to know that you are the kindest lady and you made my day, and I wish you the best in life. And be careful.

Till next week.