There’s a phenomenon known as Christmas creep. Every year, the holiday season starts earlier and earlier. In the United States, Christmas ads have been starting as early as Halloween afternoon. Last year, for example, I saw my first Christmas-themed commercial during an afternoon showing of the horror classic Halloween! Michael Myers is chasing Laurie Strode around one minute, and the next minute The Grinch is stealing the roast beast. Unfortunately for me, Christmas is the big deal, and publican Chris Beard of the Milton Arms Hungry Horse is starting his holiday celebration in July.
It’s a great publicity stunt. After all, I’m writing about a place called the Milton Arms Hungry Horse right now; would I be doing this if he hadn’t tried his crazy Christmas in July stunt? Probably not. It’ll probably help his business too, because nothing makes me want to drink like the holidays.
However, he’s not the first person to start Christmas this early. Just last week, in fact, I complained about a holiday/Santa-themed commercial for Enzyte (the male enhancement product) I saw on late night TV. There are also a wide variety of furniture stores in my area that did Christmas in July for many years, but none of them made Christmas decorations a permanent fixture.
Tags: Christmas in July, Christmas creep, holiday celebrations, early holidays, Chris Beard, Milton Arms Hungry Horse, public relations