July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. Not because I鈥檓 ultra-patriotic, but because it鈥檚 the perfect time to lean into a summer adventure thanks to the warm weather, extra days off, and a nationwide invitation to celebrate. My family, friends, and I always go up to a piece of off-grid mountain property north of Santa Fe, New Mexico that sits along a trout stream and spend the long weekend camping, cooking, drinking, fishing, laughing, and slinging horseshoes.

Many of you will also head out to get some fresh air, escape the heat, and make a few memories and we have you covered with gear recommendations for your trip. As always, many of the biggest retailers are offering July 4th sales and we鈥檝e combed through thousands of items to find a handful we鈥檝e tested and love and that are discounted enough to make a real difference. Here鈥檚 our list.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

We鈥檙e leading with a Yeti cooler because it鈥檚 time to get one if you haven鈥檛 already. Maybe you鈥檝e shied away because they鈥檙e too expensive, or because they鈥檙e sort of a cliche at this point. But we鈥檙e here to say that the investment is actually worth it. Plop down the cash, minus a nice July 4th sale discount, and buy yourself a cooler that will last so long you can pass it on to your kids, and is so effective it will keep your food and beer cold all weekend without blinking. Bonus: Yeti just launched the Big Wave Blue colorway that is so cool it seems to have its own temperature-lowering effect.

I鈥檝e tested a lot of rain jackets, and in my not-so-humble opinion, Outdoor Research makes the best ones, hands down. Thanks to smart material choices and amazing tailoring, their jackets are light, bombproof, look great, and function no matter what. All of that is true with the Helium, which weighs a scant six ounces, but is fully taped and won鈥檛 let a drop through, even in a monsoon downpour. It comes with nice features like elastic cuffs and an adjustable hood, and the Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse outer material鈥攚hich is engineered to be extra abrasion resistant鈥攌eeps it durable. When you鈥檙e not using the Helium at your campsite or on a backpacking trip, it stows into its own chest pocket and packs down to the size of an apple.

Tent shopping can be maddening because there are so many damn choices. But if you want a great two-person, three-season tent, this is the one. Thanks to a rectangular footprint and 40 inches of headroom the Hubba Hubba 2 feels plenty big for two people and even a dog, while two vestibules under the fly are perfect for gear storage. The Hubba Hubba 2 isn鈥檛 the lightest tent on the market, but at three pounds, four ounces it鈥檚 still light enough for a backpack, and for that weight you get lots of durability. I鈥檝e shared this tent with a frantic dog who never tore anything up, and also sat inside as the tent got pounded by summer rainstorms and easily shrugged them off.

Coleman made the two-burner camp stove famous and many brands have since taken the idea and run with it. I like Eureka鈥檚 version because each burner pumps out a generous 10,000 BTUs, enough to boil a big pot of water in just a few minutes. After thousands of presses, the automatic ignitor on mine still works great so I don鈥檛 have to worry about matches. And at just four inches thick, the stove packs down well into a camping box or pull-out kitchen. I鈥檝e only had my version for five years, but I鈥檓 sure my family will be using it for at least 50 more.

When I first saw this 27.5-inch square听 I thought, 鈥淲hy would anyone want such a small camping table?鈥� If you鈥檙e car camping, why not bring something with more surface area? But then I took this table on a trip, along with a longer, rectangular folding table, and immediately realized its use. We used the bigger table for cooking and prep, and this smaller table became a much-used water station where we washed hands, did dishes, and refilled water bottles. By keeping the water away from the other table no one ever felt crowded, and it was nice to have all things wet sectioned off to a corner of the camp. I鈥檝e found the table to be steady enough to hold 50 or more pounds of water, and it鈥檚 easy to set up, break down to the size of a small tent, and store away.

Home Depot makes this July 4th sale deal a mess to understand but here鈥檚 what you need to know. You鈥檙e buying two rechargeable batteries that will power any Ryobi products including drills and lawn mowers, and you get the fan for 鈥渇ree.鈥� We love this bundle because it鈥檚 great to have the batteries for when you have a couple of hours of weed-eating to do, and the fan is great to have because it pumps a lot of air but doesn’t take up a lot of room. I鈥檝e used the fan to keep my dogs cool when they ride in my camper shell, and it鈥檚 also been pulled out at camp when mid-day temps demanded a little extra moving air.

The post Our Favorite July 4th Sales on Outdoor Gear appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ask any dog owner how they feel about Fourth of July fireworks and they’ll likely share a story of finding their pup whimpering in the bathtub. All three of my large, rambunctious dogs hate the loud explosions caused by fireworks. Over the years I’ve developed a system that helps my dogs stay calm during America’s loudest tradition. Here鈥檚 how I get them ready.

Why Dogs Hate Fireworks

Dogs have an acute sense of hearing. Lacking the superior eyesight of humans, dogs rely on their ears and noses to perceive the world. A dog can hear much higher frequencies than we can听(think: dog whistles), and can detect sounds from four times farther away. So, fireworks that sound distant to you sound a lot closer to a dog.

Compounding that, few dogs take classes on American history, and may be unable to place the sudden presence of sky explosions in appropriate cultural context. What sounds like freedom to you and me may simply be an unexpected, unpredictable, unknown source of an unnatural sound. One that comes with a foul odor, too. Fireworks can just create total sensory overload to a pooch.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Scared of Fireworks?

Not all dogs are frightened by the sound of fireworks鈥攂ut your dog will exhibit a few telltale signs if he or she is. Wiley, my oldest, digs holes (really big ones) and attempts to hide in them while shaking in fear. Bowie, our husky middle dog, clings to us like glue. Teddy, our 125 pound grizzly fighter, cries and seeks reassurance by manically licking our faces.

Signs of anxiety in dogs include:

• Hiding, cowering, or freezing in place
• Restlessness
• Shaking
• Panting
• Licking

Fireworks terror听can manifest in other behaviors. A frightened dog may become destructive, chewing, scratching, or digging in an effort to alleviate or escape from their fears. And it can cause harm to itself or property in the process.

Signs that a dog is attempting to escape听is something all dog owners should take seriously. Just because a crate, leash, or fence works for a dog during normal times does not mean it will be adequate at keeping a panicking dog safe.

How to Prevent Fireworks Reactivity

Socialization is key. During a puppy鈥檚 normal socialization period, make sure you鈥檙e encountering loud, unfamiliar sounds, and provide positive reinforcement throughout the process. Start with small sounds that are far away, and work towards louder sources that move closer. Match progress with the dog鈥檚 reactions.

You can socialize for sound just like for anything else they may encounter. A starter pistol is a classic tool employed to help hunting dogs adjust to gunfire, and can help with fireworks, too.

Just Skip Town

The easiest way to deal with loud explosions is to avoid them altogether, and there鈥檚 nothing dogs enjoy more than a camping trip. Plan on heading somewhere far away from other people, either by driving off-road to get there or by throwing on a backpack. Heck, why not combine the two?

This is the plan my wife and I opt for most years. But, having already spent four months this year traveling, we just don鈥檛 have any more in us. In the past, destinations that have worked well for us are places most other people can鈥檛 (or won鈥檛) go. Here鈥檚 some tips on finding those.

• Cross the border. While you still may find some Americans celebrating the holiday in Canada or Mexico, there won鈥檛 be large fireworks displays. You can find my advice on visiting Baja for the first time here, and I also talked to a pro about visiting Mexico safely. Whether you head south or north, you鈥檒l need a letter from your vet signed and dated within ten听days of travel verifying the animal鈥檚 vaccination status and health.
• Find areas that are under fire restrictions. Much of the country has been blanketed by record hot temperatures lately. And that means many areas are subject to fire bans, which also restrict fireworks.
• Practice dispersed camping. Established campgrounds in state parks and on other types of land will be crowded due to the extended holiday weekend. And, whether or not they鈥檙e permitted, people will be setting off fireworks on July 4. Instead of staying in campgrounds, around other people, why not practice dispersed camping instead? This is when you drive or backpack onto public land, and camp away from other people, following a basic set of shared rules.
• Keep your dog cool. It鈥檚 going to be hot this week across most of the continent. Here鈥檚 my tips for traveling with dogs during extreme heat.

Helpful Supplies

Over-the-counter medicines

Benadryl is an antihistamine that can treat allergic reactions and adjacent symptoms. It鈥檚 also a sedative. It can help dogs feel relaxed and sleepy. Consult your vet before administering any drugs. Maximum safe dosage for dogs is typically one milligram per-pound of body weight every four hours, but I find that one 25 milligram pill is plenty for my dogs, which range from 75 to 125 pounds in weight.

Prescription sedatives

If you have an extremely reactive or sensitive dog, then your vet may already prescribe a sedative. Ask them if July 4th is an appropriate time to use the drug, and for proper dosage instructions.

Pressure

Tight-fitting clothing or bedding can provide dogs with a sense of comfort. This is the theory behind the , which supposedly wraps dogs in a calming embrace. Of course, you can do the same yourself, or by giving them a heavy blanket or towel to hide under.

Containment

July 4 is not the time to expose your dogs to novel or potentially frightening experiences for the first time. But if they are already crate trained, then this is the time to use that crate. Dogs who find crates to be reassuring places will feels safer in one.

A dog who is frightened of fireworks may chew, dig, or jump around in an attempt to reduce their anxiety. Removing rugs, furniture, keepsakes and other stuff you don鈥檛 want destroyed from areas they have access to is a good idea.

If you do plan to shut your dog in a room, garage, or basement, make sure that area is one they鈥檙e familiar with, and that it鈥檚 safe for them. Remove anything that could poison or harm them if spilled, broken, or consumed. Make sure that space remains cool. And try to predict any damage they may cause. Depending on how much destruction your dog may be capable of (spoiler alert: it鈥檚 a lot) taping carpet, cardboard, or even polyethylene folding tables to any wooden doors may help minimize the permanent effects of scratching.

Leaving a dog in a fenced enclosure like a yard should be avoided if at all possible. If you must, make sure it鈥檚 a fence that your dog can鈥檛 tear open, jump over, dig under, or otherwise defeat. Make sure the yard鈥檚 surface isn鈥檛 something you don鈥檛 want dug up. Ensure they have adequate water and shelter from heat.

Leash and Harness

If you plan to have your dog with you somewhere outside of your home (such as that camping trip), keep them on a leash. Even if you don鈥檛 plan to encounter fireworks, there鈥檚 always a chance. This is also good advice for the week or so surrounding the holiday, when fireworks may be set off at any point.

I鈥檝e never encountered a dog capable of chewing through one of my braided climbing rope leashes, or who can break a climbing rated carabiner. I attach those to my dogs using a . Those transfer forces off a dog鈥檚 neck, and into its torso.

If you鈥檙e taking a dog outside of your home during fireworks season, never let it out of your site, even if they鈥檙e tied up. Even a brief period of escape may expose them to chaotic holiday traffic and other risks.

Noise-Reduction Gear

If you鈥檙e crating your dog, throw heavy blankets over the crate to minimize noise. A white noise machine, calming music, or just watching a movie can help drown out the sound of explosions, too. But nothing is more effective at eliminating sound than going underground. If you have a basement, that will be the quietest place in your home.

Start with Exercise

A tired dog is a good dog. Wake up early, when temperatures are still cool, and take them for a long walk or hike. You鈥檝e got the day off work anyway, so why not make the most of it?

It鈥檚 also a good idea to give your dog an early meal in advance of a night full of explosions. Giving their food plenty of time to digest will minimize odds of any of it escaping from either end while they鈥檙e freaking out.

And don鈥檛 forget hydration. Your dog needs access to fresh, cool water, and plenty of it.

Don鈥檛 Leave Your Dog Alone

Even equipped with all the above, your dog may still panic and find itself in distress. Your dog may still destroy stuff, or worse, put itself in danger.

Just remember: the thing your dog finds most reassuring is you. They鈥檙e your best friend, don鈥檛 abandon them on the scariest night of the year.

What are my plans this July 4th? I鈥檓 going to take my dogs up a nearby mountain in the morning, watch them play in a stream afterwards, and then come home to grill myself a steak, feed the dogs the scraps along with a Benadryl, then retire into the air conditioning to watch “Godzilla vs. Kong鈥� on my couch. Sounds like a pretty good day off to me.

The post How I鈥檓 Preparing My Dogs for July 4th Fireworks appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Call me Buzzkill Jill, because I鈥檓 about to say something that鈥檚 certain to bum out鈥攅ven tick off鈥攑lenty of people, including my mom. Fireworks, that perennial symbol of wholesome family fun, are really bad for the environment and our health.

I can already hear the whining: What鈥檚 so bad about a 15-minute pyrotechnics show that brings people joy? To that I鈥檇 say two things. First, fireworks do not bring joy to everyone. In fact, they can cause real and others who suffer from PTSD. (Chances are your , too.) Second, all that razzle-dazzle takes a serious toll in the form of wildfires, poor air quality, pollution, and wildlife trauma. Not to mention the fact that in 2022 fireworks sent .

Fireworks Cause Wildfires鈥擫ots of Them

Fireworks sparked an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022 that caused an estimated $109 million in direct property damage, according to Michele Steinberg from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). More than 85 percent of those were wildfires. In 2017, a 15-year old boy chucked a smoke bomb into a dry riverbed on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge during a fire ban. It sparked the Eagle Creek fire, which ignited 50,000 acres, impacted air quality all the way to Canada, trapped 147 hikers amid the blaze, and took more than three months and $40 million to snuff. The boy who started the blaze was sentenced to 1,920 hours of community service and fined $37 million.

Still, fireworks are legal in all states except Massachusetts, where they were outlawed听in 2020. The proliferation of consumer fireworks makes many who work in the fire fighting industry hot under the collar. 鈥淭he NFPA does not support the use of any consumer fireworks,鈥� says Steinberg. 鈥淧rofessional fireworks shows are safer because the providers have to be licensed and permitted. There鈥檚 a lot more control over the usage and first responders and emergency personnel can be at the ready. Consumer fireworks are never safe.鈥�

Safety precautions for professional shows need to be rigorous, too. The late Bill Gabbert, founder of the website Wildfire Today and a fire management officer for the park service, developed a rigorous checklist to determine whether fireworks shows could go on safely at various NPS sites. Organizers had to obtain a Spot Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service, examine wind speed,听and confirm the availability of qualified firefighters, and evaluate the likelihood that a stray ember could ignite听a potential fuel source, like a ponderosa pine.

Fireworks Cause Air, Land, and Water Pollution

What goes up must come down. When fireworks explode, they rain down plastic, gun power, heavy metals like lead, copper, cadmium, titanium, and aluminum, and toxic chemicals like . These impact air quality, human health,waterways, and soil.

In a on the impact of fireworks on air quality, climate scientist Dian Seidel found that the 4th of July brings with it a pronounced spike in pollution across the nation. The study, which was co-authored with her student, Abigail Birnbaum, focused on the presence of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the days surrounding Independence Day.

鈥淧M 2.5 is the type of particulate matter that鈥檚 most damaging to our health,鈥� says Seidel. 鈥淲hen you breathe dirty air, blow your nose, and see all that nasty dirt, those are larger particles of pollution. But the finer particles that lodge deep in your lungs, the ones that carry heavy metals and other carcinogens that damage cardiovascular and respiratory systems, those are the PM 2.5 particles.鈥�

Seidel鈥檚 study, which captured air quality metrics from stations all over the country over multiple years, found an average 42 percent spike in PM 2.5 in the hours following fireworks. The amount of pollution varies depending on the proximity to the fireworks, weather conditions, and the size of the display: Seidel found an increase of several hundred percent at one station close to the launch zone.

鈥淚f you watch fireworks close to the launch point, you鈥檒l be exposed to high rates of PM 2.5, especially if you鈥檙e downwind,鈥� Seidel says. 鈥淭his can be quite serious for susceptible people: the young, the old, and anyone with respiratory conditions.鈥�

The health perils are not limited to big professional fireworks shows. Consumer fireworks also , including lead, at even closer ranges.

The chemicals and plastic that fireworks leave behind impact more than just human health. a nonprofit focused on reducing plastics pollution, almost always finds bits of fireworks in their regular trash cleanups, says Marcus Erikson, a researcher for the organization. 鈥淐ollectively, fireworks add up to a tsunami of pollution in the environment鈥搇ittle plastic cones and stems, half-melted plastic cords, cellophane wrappers. It鈥檚 a tragedy of commons,” he says. All those microplastics are toxic on a cellular, genetic, and neurological level for animals, according to a听 published in Science of the Total Environment.

A 2022 of The River of Thames in England showed an enormous increase in microplastic pollution following the New Year鈥檚 Eve firework show.听And a U.S. Geological Survey in 2016 found elevated levels of perchlorate in groundwater and soil samples in the area where Mount Rushmore鈥檚 annual fireworks show takes place. Perchlorate interferes with the function of the human thyroid gland and also remains in the environment for long periods of time, impacting soil, flora, and fauna.

Fireworks Freak Out Wildlife

If you own a pet, you know how scared they can get when fireworks start popping. The same goes for wildlife.听In , Professor Bill Bateman of Curtin University studied fireworks鈥� impact on animals and found both immediate and long-lasting effects. Noise and lights caused short-term fear responses, 鈥渓ike animals leaving an area and then coming back,鈥� he says. There were significant long-term听 consequences as well. 鈥淒isturbances to roosting or nesting animals caused harmful expenditure of energy and in some cases reduced breeding success,鈥� he says. The toxic haze of heavy metals and pollutants also influenced animal health.

鈥淭he effects of fireworks were multifarious and profound,鈥� Bateman says. 鈥淲e were pretty much blown away by the extent of them. Fireworks are not a minor problem. My feeling is that the time of fireworks is over. We need to consider other options, such as drone displays.鈥�

The Case for Drone Fireworks鈥攁 Better Way to Celebrate

Heat domes and droughts are the new normal these days, so it might indeed be time to move toward a gentler and just-as-cool way to celebrate. That鈥檚 why many cities, like Salt Lake City, Utah; Napa, California; and Nashville, Tennessee have switched from combustible fireworks to drone shows.

Tahoe City, California, dropped fireworks in favor of drones in 2022, following the Caldor fire (started by a bullet strike) which torched over听220,000 acres, took more than two months to contain, wreaked havoc on air quality, and forced the evacuation of more than 50,000 people. 鈥淚t was a terrifying experience,鈥� recalls Katie Biggers, executive director of Tahoe City Downtown Association. 鈥淔ire safety, as well as environmental pollution, was the primary driver behind our move away from a combustible 4th of July celebration.鈥�

Tahoe’s 2023 drone fireworks show was a big success with 2,500 people watching from the lakefront and another 100 on boats. The 15-minute show听used 300 drones, synched to music which was broadcast on local radio stations.

Biggers says the community loves the new eco-friendly听drone fireworks听show. 鈥淥ur lake, our surrounding mountains, our wildlife鈥攖hese are the reasons people live and visit here, so sustainability and stewardship are core values in Tahoe City,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen you look at the fire danger we鈥檝e lived through here, 4th of July fireworks just don鈥檛 make sense.鈥�

鈥淐hange can be hard and we had a few people complain that not doing traditional fireworks was unpatriotic,鈥� says Biggers. 鈥淏ut more importantly, we also heard from veterans and members of their families who were thrilled to be able to celebrate together without navigating the fear of getting triggered by the loud explosions.鈥�

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and鈥攜es鈥攚ealthier. 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 head of sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. for her twice monthly newsletter or write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post Fireworks Are Not Patriotic鈥擳hey鈥檙e Harmful. Here鈥檚 Why. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This article was originally published in .

It鈥檚 a 90 degree July afternoon in Ohio and you鈥檙e dancing to holiday music amid a crowd sporting red and green bikinis. Someone鈥檚 fake Santa beard just went flying as they took a belly flop in the pool. The margaritas are salty, the sunscreen is abundant, and the smell of chlorine mixes with the fragrance of pine and sugar cookies.听This is Christmas in July.

This quirky tradition is celebrated across the U.S. where friends dust off their Christmas decorations, fire up the barbecue, pull on their swim trunks and boogie to the jolliest of carols. A search on听 turns up hundreds of Christmas in July playlists with thousands of streams. In 2021, views of TikTok videos soundtracked with Mariah Carey鈥檚 ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ 听relative to other non-holiday-season months.

听participates annually with a selection of holiday movies released in July for the occasion and TV shopping channel听. In Bristol, Virginia,听听is hosting a month-long Christmas in July event complete with a giving tree where people can pick gifts to give to animals in need. In Taylor County, Kentucky, a听听gave back to victims of the 2021 tornado that wreaked havoc on the community. Runners 4 Wellness hosts an annual听听in Isle, Illinois. This year鈥檚 race will take place July 23.

But there are rowdier traditions as well. Christmas in July theme parties complete with buffets of festive fare 鈥� and plenty of day drinking.

鈥淭he most memorable Christmas in July party I went to had ornaments hung around the beer pong table and tinsel adorning the walls,鈥� says Caitlyn Blair, 26, of California. 鈥淚t was held outside, so the temperature was great.鈥�

The dress code for Blair鈥檚 celebration called for either an ugly Christmas sweater or something green or red. Almost everyone indulged in a glass of jingle juice, a cocktail concocted with fresh cranberries, vodka, ginger beer, and a cinnamon stick.

鈥淲e had Christmas music playing the whole time,鈥� Blair says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a great way to get everyone in good spirits and do something a little out of the box. Plus, I can鈥檛 wait until December to sing Mariah Carey鈥檚 鈥楢ll I Want For Christmas Is You.鈥� Who wants to wait that long!?鈥�

Origins of a Modern Tradition

It鈥檚 believed that the first celebration of Christmas in July took place 84 years ago on July 25, 1933 at an all-girls summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina. Fannie Holt, one of the founders of Keystone Camp 鈥� and a woman remembered fondly for her whimsy and creativity 鈥� had the idea of a Christmas-themed celebration in the midst of summer.

鈥淔annie was quite the lady,鈥� current Keystone Camp Director Page Ives Lemel says. 鈥淪he was always thinking up something new. Most camps, for example, have juniors, middlers, and seniors, but we have elves, pixies, and dryads.鈥�

According to camp history, Christmas in July came about as an occasion to exchange gifts, sing carols, and mark the end of the summer season in an unconventional way. As generations of campers grew up enjoying the annual tradition, many never realized it was a Keystone creation.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know Keystone was where the tradition originated until I was camp director myself,鈥� Ives Lemel says. 鈥淚t was only when a visitor pulled up a Wikipedia page to show me that Christmas in July started here.鈥�

Lemel fondly recalls her own memories of Christmas in July; Santa and Mrs. Claus would pull up in a big red truck tossing candy to all the campers who greeted them. Camp counselors would dress in reindeer and elf costumes and would gather everyone into the lodge for secret Santa.

鈥淓very camper would pull a name out of a hat and spend the week before Christmas in July in the arts and crafts corner making a gift,鈥� Lemel says. 鈥淵ou鈥檇 leave little notes in their mailbox giving hints to your identity. The big reveal was always on Sunday afternoon.鈥�

Because the camp was much smaller then, individual names would be called out and campers would sit on Santa鈥檚 lap to receive their gift. Today, the tradition has evolved to incorporate Hanukkah and Kwanza.

The dining hall will be decorated with red and green chains, and a decorated pine sapling decorated.听Holiday cuisine includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and rolls. And, of course, sugar cookies and hot chocolate.

A few years into Keystone鈥檚 celebrations, the 1940 film Christmas in July, with popular Hollywood figures Dick Powell and Ellen Drew, brought national attention to the concept.

Ohio event planner Susan Hershey of Glory Event & Decor has planned many Christmas in July parties.

鈥淭here鈥檚 obviously always the theme of the holidays,鈥� Hershey says. 鈥淏ut every party has a different look and feel. For example, one group wanted a winter wonderland, so we covered the space with fake snow, spun snowflakes, and had a cool-toned dessert spread.鈥�

In another instance, Hershey recalls, a party was centered around a beachy Santa Claus, complete with sunglasses and a funky swimsuit.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really whatever you want it to be,鈥� Hershey says. 鈥淐hristmas looks differently to everyone, especially in July.鈥�

There鈥檚 no one way to host a Christmas in July Party, but there are certainly a few musts if you intend on having a holly jolly time. You鈥檙e going to need a playlist of your favorite holiday tunes, of course. And then it鈥檚 on to the food and drink.

鈥淕enerally I suggest finger food,鈥� Hershey says. 鈥淔or Christmas in July parties, I鈥檝e done cheese towers in the shape of snowmen, vegetable plates that look like wreaths, and ham sliders with cranberry sauce.鈥� Plant-based eaters might swap in veggie ham or Tofurky for those sliders.

Beverages don鈥檛 have to be holiday-themed, but it鈥檚 always good to have at least one party-oriented drink special, such as a cranberry cocktail or eggnog punch.

Decorations can be as minimal or extravagant as you want. Many people put up a nontraditional tree and string summer items along it, rather than the typical tinsel and ornaments. Create a festive atmosphere by passing out Santa hats and goofy holiday sunglasses, making your guests themselves part of the decor.

鈥淎ny way you look at it,鈥� Hershey says. 鈥淚鈥檝e never seen a dull Christmas in July party.鈥�

The post The True Story of How Christmas in July Became a Quirky Cause for Celebration appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.