For the last 4 years we started a family tradition of celebrating Christmas in July. I have always been a Christmas fanatic, it is my favorite time of the year. I am the girl jamming to Christmas tunes when Starbucks rolls out their Pumpkin Spice Latte. My husband not so much. He is the guy that wants turkey dinner before we talk about the big guy in the red suit. However, once we had Maverick, he entertained my idea and we have a blast with it.
In past years, July 25th has fell on the weekend so it was easy to make a full day affair. This year it is on a Tuesday so makes it a little more difficult. But don’t worry, we fit all we could in the time we got and celebrated over a few days.
Elvis’ Christmas album plays 24/7 the days leading up. It is the same album that is in the background when I watch old home videos of me as kid on Christmas. My parents played it as they recorded our Christmas mornings. It just takes me back when I hear the very first words “I’ll be home for Christmas” sung in that voice from the King of Rock n’Roll. Plus it is Elvis, so there’s that. My son knows who he is and has since he was 1. (His room is Rock N Roll theme so he has a picture of Elvis and his record up on the wall- ha!)
We always try to do the same traditions as we do on the real Christmas day. We do make a little batch of cookies the night before and eat them while we watch a Christmas movie and have frozen hot chocolate in our Christmas Jammies of course. We read Maverick a Christmas book and tuck him into bed. On the morning of “Christmas in July” we unwrap gifts. We don’t go out and buy new things. We wrap things we already have that are funny around the house. This year I wrapped Cameron’s phone charger—-I mean it is something he needs right? ha! For Maverick I tried to find a toy he hasn’t been playing with so he thinks it is new and he loves it the following week. Plus I hit the $1 bin at Target for a few “stocking stuffers”. I always make up a little Christmas dinner, but an easier version. For instance instead of a big turkey and all the trimmings, I make deli turkey rolls stuffed with stuffing and drizzle gravy over them. Of course we would love to have some cranberry dish but did you know they do not sell cranberries ANYWHERE in the Midwest this time of year? Such a bummer. Maybe one year I will remember to freeze some but that wasn’t this year. I know there is always the canned kind but that doesn’t work for me. I love my real cranberries and cooking them on the stove and the smell taking over the house. We have done many different desserts in past years. Red and Green SnoCones was our choice this year!
We were also able to really really celebrate this year because I got some lab results back from last week that I am still CANCER FREE! It is always great to have that reassurance. SO blessed!
What fun family traditions do you all do ?? Tell me! I want to know!
xo,
Jess
My GorJess Life 
Awww I love this tradition!! I think we need to start one of our own when the hubby gets back!
LikeLike