Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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Christmas in July 2020

17 Jul 2020 By: Diane Gottsman

So much around us is stressful these days and a Christmas in July Celebration may be way to brighten your quarantine spirits and focus on something positive. Here in Texas the temperature is already climbing. It’s hot, often muggy and like the rest of the country, the pandemic has stifled our ability to easily take a getaway. Travel, museums, airline flights and vacations are being kept to a minimum while most of us mask up, social distance and do our best to stay well. I have spoken to many people who are feeling weary and low. While not overlooking the the obvious, it’s important to find opportunities for personal joy.

Here are a few of my tips to make the most of your Christmas in July celebration.

Christmas in July

Host a Family Christmas Trivia Night

You won’t need to go far to find some great Christmas trivia games on the web. There are plenty to choose from and your problem will be cutting your list down. Can you name every reindeer? Would you know where the McAllister’s are going when they leave Kevin behind in the movie Home Alone? What happened every time the bell rang in It’s a Wonderful Life? Can you sing all the words to Jingle Bells? The questions are endless. Have one of the kids create a holiday template and pass out the questionnaire. Allow them to be in control of the game.

Bake a Batch of Favorite Christmas Cookies

Make the dough in advance and have everybody get together to roll and cut out and bake the treats. While they are baking in the oven, read a story or watch A Charlie Brown Christmas together. After the cookies cool, decorate them and enjoy. Dig out your leftover holiday paper napkins to serve them on.

Share the Gift of Joy

For an adult-themed celebration, exchange an early Christmas gift. Hallmark just launched some holiday wines that are on the top of my wish list. “Jingle”, a Cabernet Sauvignon and “Joy”, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, which are packaged in such cute bottles and have the holiday spirit written all over them. There is only a limited number, so you must pre-order your wines by visiting HallmarkChannelWines.com. The orders will be delivered in October 2020. In the meantime, watch a Hallmark Christmas movie and enjoy your favorite holiday cocktail and snack.

Research Other Customs

Find a country that you hope to visit someday and learn about their traditions and customs. Download information and pass it around, or buy a book and have a discussion. Serve their traditional holiday food and discuss some of their special forms of entertainment.

Substitute Snowballs for Snowcones

Although you will be hard-pressed to find snow in the middle of summer, a snow cone celebration is equally as fun. Enjoy the treat while you sing a few Christmas carols to keep the spirit alive. If you are really industrious, trim a tree (outside or pull out a mini tree from your attic) and recreate the magic you feel every December.

Have a White Elephant Gift Exchange

Gather something from around the house, new or used and pass it around. You will be surprised what you can conjure up that has been sitting in a drawer or brand new, still in the box. The gift can be funny or useful, it’s totally up to you. The idea is to have fun and enjoy the celebration. 

Take it Cautiously to the Sand

If you decide to take a road trip, be sure to follow all of the safety precautions during COVID-19 while enjoying the outdoors. According to experts, it’s not the beach or the lake that is the concern but the proximity to people and crowded areas such as boardwalks, concession stands, restrooms and close proximity to other people. Use good judgment if you decide to enjoy the outdoors. Wear your mask when you are in public, social distance and wash your hands while enjoying fun in the sun. Spending time together as a family is something we can treasure during this otherwise difficult time. Make it a family celebration that you will remember for years to come.

You might also like Watermelon Fun Facts to Kick-Start July. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.