Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The History of Christmas in July

Christmas in July Sales history

Ah, July.

July means we are half way through the year, and while in some places the heat makes it hard to think about Christmas, but many places bring out their holly and lights and trumpet a “Christmas in July” sale. According to some various sources that Wikipedia fanatics have amassed, the actual source of the holiday frenzy is attributed to many different angles. Some say that it comes from an opera where children rehearse Christmas songs in July which prompts an astute observer to quip that when you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.

Others probably closer to the mark, have attributed the “Christmas in July” to the simple fact that there are no marketing opportunities from July 4th in the United States and July 1st for Canada Day until Labor Day for both the United States and Canada in September.

Either way, the fact is, most retailers are selling their products at a discount for the entire month of July. 

Of course, not to be left out, all Blue Morning Expressions items are on sale as well.

For others, July means fairs, picnics and carnivals. Rodeos, street fairs, craft fairs and in Butte, Montana, Evel Knievel Days. No matter what your fair or carnival preference, one thing is certain. There will be cotton candy and kettle corn. And as a new devotee of kettle corn, a found recipe is now laminated and held up on the refrigerator (under a bright green frog magnet from Blue Morning Expressions of course).

Here is the recipe in its entirety and comes compliments of Allrecipes.com :

Kettle Corn

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Rated:

rating

Submitted By: SUE202

Photo By: Allrecipes

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 20 Minutes

Servings: 5

"White sugar makes the Kettle Corn taste like popcorn balls. Use brown sugar and it will taste like caramel corn."

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

Directions:

1.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, stir in the sugar and popcorn. Cover, and shake the pot constantly to keep the sugar from burning. Once the popping has slowed to once every 2 to 3 seconds, remove the pot from the heat and continue to shake for a few minutes until the popping has stopped. Pour into a large bowl, and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to break up large clumps.

For caramel corn lovers, note the recipe variation for caramel corn.

Have a fun and safe summer and take advantage of Blue Morning Expressions’ enthusiastic participation in the “Christmas in July” phenomenon and look for sales for the entire month of July.

Oh, and here is the frog magnet and he is on sale:

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