Growing up, Christmas in July was a thing on the Cartoon Network. Maybe other millennials remember this odd holiday-but not-a-holiday-at-all time of the year where the network would play all of the Christmas classics. It was weird watching Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman with the summer sun blazing outside.
I never really understood it. There were never any gifts exchanged. No snow to be seen. And relatives were certainly not about to whip up the baked goods that made the holiday season special. So, what was the point? Yet, I would still sit there with my sister watching holiday specials in the middle of the summer.
This year, I kind of get it.
After making it through the Australian wildfires, earthquakes and the continuing effects of COVID-19 it seems worth celebrating making it halfway through the year. It’s definitely not Christmas, but our survival seems like something worth celebrating.
Now, I’m not saying you should whip out your Christmas tree lights or get your husband to dress up like Santa Claus for the neighborhood kids. If you do that, then you’re probably deserving of whatever funny looks are aimed your way, but maybe it is time to let our hair down a little.
How do we celebrate during a time where the future is so uncertain? We do it by being grateful for what we have and giving to others.
Though we are potentially over the worst of what this year has to offer (tap on wood), local businesses are still going to be feeling the economic impact of COVID-19 for months to come. These are people in our community who need our help to survive.
So, celebrate this month by purchasing a meal from your favorite local restaurant, by ordering coffee for the entire office or purchasing gift cards to use or giveaway at a later date. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to share joy with others.
July is normally when we celebrate our Dining Awards. It didn’t feel fair to continue with the awards this year, recognizing that current events would impact some more than others. Still, we wanted to take the opportunity to recognize the restaurants in our community working to provide residents of Idaho Falls with a variety of dishes. Cozy up with this issue and be prepared for mouth-watering sensations to send you sprinting to one of many good eats.
Read more of Idaho Falls Magazine's July issue here.