Growing up we always went to Missouri to see my mom’s family. My mom is the youngest of 7 kids so there is a lot of us that get together for a family reunion. For a few years we always celebrated Christmas together in the middle of the summer. As a kid, I remember this so well and thought it was so silly. They put up a tree and we would exchange presents and play fun games! It was such a fun memory.
The Smoky Mountains is the perfect place to bring this tradition to life. If you plan to come to the Smokies in the summer months, we have some ideas to make the kids have a memorable time.
I always feel like I have so much I want to do with the kids when Christmas rolls around. I start doing my Christmas activities in November and I still don’t feel like we get it all done.
Now that I have kids of my own, I wanted to do this fun tradition. Here is my list of what I want to do with them.
Christmas in July can be just for the day or for a fun weekend! It can last as long as you want!!
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Have your Elf return for the day
We plan to bring back our Elf! He will have a fun letter for them and a little gift! He will also be hidden in the house but obvious where the kids can see him OR he can be doing something silly.
Put up a Christmas tree
I don’t really want to pull out the Huge Christmas tree but I don’t care to do a small tree or balloon tree to make it festive.
Have stockings filled
We will plan to have the stockings filled with small little toys, candy that Santa gave to them.
Have a Christmas in July Party
Having a fun Christmas in July Party is something I would love to do. There are some cute decorations just for the occasion. Have Christmas Music Playing and play some fun games.
Stay at The Christmas Place Inn
How fun would it be to stay at a Christmas hotel in the middle of the summer. Christmas Place Inn has the whole hotel decorated all year long. Bring your swim suites because they have a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pool that is so much fun as well as Christmas Crafts and Storytime.
Go Ice Skating
You can go ice skating even in the summer at Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg or go to Knoxville and Ice Skate at Ice Chalet.
Play in the snow
Pigeon Forge Snow has a huge area you can play in the snow. Bring Gloves for your hands but the indoor temperature isn’t to cold. You can even ride down a snow tube indoors!
Wear Christmas in July Clothing
We all have bulky Christmas sweaters but there are lots of T-Shirts I tend to find closer to Christmas and never get to wear it due to it being so cold, so hang on to it for this time next year.
Amazon also has some super cute Christmas in July T-Shirts
Retro Christmas in July for Women
and Retro Santa Shirt for Women
Do a Christmas Craft
I don’t know about yours, but Hobby Lobby starts putting Christmas out in June. They have some cute store bought crafts you can pick up.
Drink a Frozen “Hot Chocolate”
Hot Chocolate is a classic drink we love to drink in the winter, but this Frozen Hot Chocolate Drink so good for the hot days!
I found this recipe on TastesOfLizzyT.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup warmed milk (2% or higher)
- 2 hot chocolate packets
- 1/2 cup cold milk (2% or higher)
- 1/2 cup half & half cream
- 1/3 cup chocolate syrup
- 4 cups chopped ice
Instructions
- Mix the two hot chocolate packets into the warmed milk.*
- Pour the chocolate milk, white milk, half & half, chocolate syrup and chopped ice into a blender.
- Blend on high speed for 20-30 seconds, or until the ice is completely blended and smooth.
- Pour into four glasses.
- Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
- Serve immediately.
Go to Santa Land
Santa Land is a Christmas themed Amusement Park located in Cherokee NC. They are only opened May-October and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They have petting zoos, rides, a magic show and so much your kids will love!
Go to Santa’s Claus-et
Santa’s Claus-et is in Gatlinburg and is a must when in town or when you are wanting to get in the Christmas Spirit. They do an outdoor light show around different holidays and have synchronized lights.
Pick Out an Ornament at the Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge
Going to The Christmas Place store will definitely put you in the Christmas Spirit. It is located right off the Parkway. Go see their Christmas village, pick up a fun ornament and get ideas for Christmas. They may even have Santa there taking photos since he lives to vacation in the Smokies
Watch a Christmas Movie
My kids love watching The Grinch movie and I don’t let them watch it till it is the holiday season but getting to watch it in the summer makes it so fun. There are so many movies to watch. Hallmark plays Christmas in July movies.
Let us know what you do for your Christmas in July activities and if we left anything off the list
Enjoy!