Latest news with #ChristmasinJuly
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
NYC Corrections, cops help give away hundreds of bikes to needy kids: ‘It keeps the positivity going'
They're braking cycles! Hundreds of needy Big Apple kids got free bikes at an event hosted by city Corrections officers and the NYPD on Friday — as parents from hardscrabble areas gushed that the giveaway helped youngsters feel less fearful of figures in uniform. Roughly 400 kids and teens got brand-new bicycles, donated by Department of Corrections workers, at the event dubbed 'Christmas in July' at JHS 231 in Springfield Gardens, Queens. 3 Around 400 children living across the Big Apple received free bikes at an event hosted by the NYPD, along with the Department of Corrections, on Friday. James Messerschmidt NYPD workers provided the venue — the department's summer youth police academy — and helped teach bike safety. 'It keeps the positivity going in the neighborhood, you know, it's a good thing to see NYPD, Corrections [doing this],' said Michelle Pemberton, a 55-year-old DMV worker, whose grandsons got bikes at the event. 'Children grow up and usually look at these kind of figures and think of fear, and [authorities are] opening the door up to brightness for them and showing them that there's positive, like models from these agencies,' she said. 'It's a good thing.' Keyarah Robinson, 17, scored a turquoise mountain bike at the giveaway. 'I like it, I like it for my age,' she told The Post. 'It's very good for my height. I don't have to sit here and feel uncomfortable on my bike.' 3 The event, dubbed 'Christmas in July,' took place at JHS 231 in Springfield Gardens, Queens. James Messerschmidt Tazion Authers, 7, landed a blue bike. 'I like this bike because it has blue stuff,' the boy said. The children's mom, Patrice Tucker, 41, a daycare worker who was at the event with her four kids, all of whom got bikes, said, 'It's really nice. 'Merry Christmas,' she said. Detective Tanya Duhaney of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau said many of the children at the event live at nearby shelters. 3 The majority of the children at the event live in nearby shelters, as Detective Tanya Duhaney of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau said, 'It is important to let our kids know that we do care about them.' James Messerschmidt 'It is important to let our kids know that we do care about them. It's summertime, and we want to just engage them and also teach them to give back,' she said. 'We're here to do our jobs and at that is to protect and serve. And this is the service part of us giving back and showing these kids that we're not robots. We're human just like them.' Christmas in July, which began in 2018, raked in a total of roughly 700 bikes for kids, the rest of which will be given away at a later date, Duhaney said. The bikes were bought as part of a competition between the city's jails, organizers said. 'It is extremely special for us because one of our most fundamental values is an agency is care, and it's care not only for our staff and people in custody but also for the communities that we serve,' said DOC Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. 'Each facility, they challenged each other and made it a real competition, and they were really excited to be able to do that so we could give back to the community,' the commish said. 'One of the things I would just want to point out is, children in our communities, regardless of social status, they should have access to bikes and books and resources that are critical to make sure that they thrive. And as a mom, that's really important. I'm really proud of my bonus family.'
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
🎁 Christmas in July? Martha Stewart already dropped an exclusive QVC holiday line
Shop the holiday hosting queen's newest launches at QVC. I know what you're thinking—Christmas shopping in... July? Yes, but with good reason. When Martha Stewart releases a new holiday home decor collection, it is almost like a Bat-Signal for the unofficial start of the holiday season. Her latest drop is here to inspire you to pack up your summer wardrobe, break out the garland decorations and start feverishly writing up your gifting wishlist. After all, she is the holiday hosting queen! And while the outside temperatures might not exactly scream "cozy season" quite yet, with Stewart's new QVC-exclusive holiday decor collection, you can at least make sure your space feels like a winter wonderland. Plus, with QVC's ongoing Christmas in July sale, shoppers can score deals of up to 70% off on select holiday products—including chic home finds that are Martha Stewart-approved. From a faux Blue Spruce Christmas tree to a plaid stoneware serving bowl, browse our top finds from Martha Stewart's QVC holiday home decor collection—available now and on sale for a limited time: Shop Martha Stewart's QVC holiday collection Shop Martha Stewart's QVC-exclusive holiday collection More deals at QVC's Christmas in July sale This year marks QVC's 30th annual Christmas in July sale, a savings event which runs through July 31 and boasts deals of up to 70% off on holiday products sitewide—from cozy home decor essentials to festive serving staples and more. More: Have you seen the TikTok-famous Tarte beauty book? QVC has it for 31% off In celebration of QVC's Christmas in July sale, Martha Stewart—a longtime collaborator of QVC—launched an exclusive holiday home decor collection with the retailer, which features hundreds of new holiday products like Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, hosting must-haves and more.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Business Insider
My son and I celebrate Christmas in July. We exchange gifts, make Christmas cookies, and watch holiday movies.
Five years ago, I decided to celebrate Christmas in July for my son. It brightened our spirits, and we've done it every year since. In many ways, it's more relaxing than the real holiday. To cheer my son up at the onset of the pandemic, I decided to celebrate Christmas in July. I had always thought of doing this, but this was the first time it seemed like something my son and I truly needed. So, that July, I chose a random day and began planning. I told my son the plan, and that pretending it's Christmas during the summer is just a fun thing to do when you can't wait a whole year for the holidays. This explained why he wouldn't be seeing Santa, and why we'd be the only ones he knew celebrating it — it was something special, just for us. I planned for a miniature version of the real holiday Together, we put out a quarter of our usual decorations, including a small tree and stockings. I ordered a couple of small gifts and wrapped them up when they arrived. When I told a friend of mine what we were doing, she said, "Oh, so you're really doing Christmas." That's how I wanted it to feel — like a taste of the real thing. On the day before, we acted like it was Christmas Eve. While listening to Christmas carols, we made the same holiday-shaped cutout cookies we normally make in December for Santa. But instead of leaving them by the stockings, we ate Santa's cookies on the couch with milk before reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. After I tucked him in and stuffed his stocking, I watched a corny holiday romcom to get in the spirit. I was surprised by how much I was buying into the whole Christmas in July idea and realized just how much it was brightening my spirits as well. We formed a new tradition rooted in togetherness The next morning, my son had to wait for me to make coffee before he could open his presents. Seeing how excited he was when he opened his gifts made the whole idea of celebrating Christmas in July worth it. Next, we made our Christmas pancakes for breakfast and spent the rest of the day watching our favorite holiday movies. We left our decorations out for about a week, to enjoy the Christmas mood for a while. It was so successful that the next summer my son asked if we could do it again, and I thought, "Why not?" By then, I was engaged, and my fiancé was thankfully willing to be a part of the tradition. It's stuck around, and every year, we choose a day in July to celebrate. It doesn't have to be the 25th, just any day we can totally block off for our festivities, which include making cookies, exchanging one or two small gifts, making pancakes for breakfast, and having a Christmas movie marathon. Our July Christmas is so much more relaxing than the real thing My son gets so excited about our mini Christmas that when it's coming up, he tells whoever he sees about our plans. The reactions range from mild confusion to thinking it sounds sweet. In many ways, I've come to prefer our summer Christmas over the true holiday. Our tradition is less about the gifts and more about enjoying the time together. We also don't have to worry about the social obligations and packed schedule that often come with the holiday season. It's relaxing to just be lazy and enjoy a snapshot of Christmas halfway through the year. There's no pressure from the outside world to show up anywhere. It's just us in our little bubble, experiencing something simple yet no less magical. Our Christmas in July tradition helps us slow down and reconnect before it's time for back-to-school and the truly fast-paced holiday season that follows.
CNN
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Bonne Maman's limited-edition 2025 Advent calendar just dropped. Get it before it sells out
Though we're sweating away in record-breaking temperatures right now, the CNN Underscored team is already thinking about holiday gifting. And we're not the only ones with Christmas in July on the brain. Bonne Maman just dropped its 2025 Advent calendar, which you can buy now. Don't wait to add it to your cart, though; this adorable box of jams always sells out fast! Bonne Maman 2025 Limited-Edition Advent Calendar Back for its ninth year, this year's Advent calendar features a gorgeous redesign and 24 delicious Bonne Maman jam flavors to help you count down the days until Christmas. Each jam comes packaged in individual mini boxes, so you don't even have to worry about the gift wrap. While the holidays are still months away and we're not quite ready to put out the Christmas tree, it's never too early to get a head start on your gift shopping so you can save stress down the line (and actually enjoy the holiday season). Whether you're looking for a gift for the men in your life or a present for the women closest to you, this is a universal gift anyone will love — including yourself! This year's assortment includes some new flavors that already have my tastebuds watering. Some standout flavors include: Caramel Spread with Coffee, Mango and Ginger Spread, Pear and Mandarin with Cinnamon Spread and Strawberry with Passion Fruit Spread. And that's just a sampling of what you or your giftee has to look forward to, so we can tell it's sure to be a winning present. Once you've eaten up all the jams, you can repurpose the mini boxes into decor, place settings or use them to wrap up stocking stuffers. There's nothing better than a gift that keeps on giving! I've been covering Bonne Maman's cult-favorite Advent calendar drops for the last few years and can confirm it sells out in the blink of an eye. So, do yourself a favor and grab a few now so you'll be prepared for when the holidays roll around. Pro tip: It doesn't hurt to have a couple extra on hand for last-minute gifting needs! CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus has nearly a decade of experience writing gift guides and has tracked Bonne Maman's Advent calendar launches for about five years.
American Press
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Secure your spot on the Nice List with Leesville's Christmas in July
Santa will be in Leesville making a list — and checking it twice — during this weekend's Christmas in July at the Leesville Event Center. (Metro Creative Services) The city of Leesville will be hosting its inaugural Christmas in July Friday and Saturday at the Leesville Event Center. The event will be held 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free to this event. According to this year Santa decided to take a break from toy making and headed south to Leesville. He swapped his traditional red suit for a T-shirt, traded in his reindeer for a pick-up truck, and set out to enjoy Christmas in July. Santa will also be updating his Naughty and Nice lists in person at the event. He'll be available for visits 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday to ensure residents have a spot on the Nice List. Each family will get one free keepsake photo with Santa and walk away with an official Nice List certificate to keep. The Vernon Parish Library will also be hosting story hour for children with Ms. Nancy bringing her favorite holiday stories to life. There will be three opportunities to see her read over the weekend — 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. There will be plenty for children at this event, including a bounce house zone, temporary tattoo station, a coloring station with Christmas-themed pages, and a letter-writing station for Santa. There will be karaoke and indoor ice skating, as well. Skaters can enjoy 45-minute sessions on the rink. New sessions will begin at the start of every hour. This activity will cost adults $10 and the price is $8 for children 5-12. Tickets will be available for this event and may be purchased using cash, credit or debit cards. There will be a vendor market filled with handcrafted gifts, holiday sweets and unique gifts for shoppers. More than 30 vendors are participating with tables set up in the main area, hallways and parking lot. Come hungry as there will be food trucks as well as a cookie-decorating station and don't forget to take a break and cool off with free lemonade and popcorn while watching a Christmas movie. Once rested, stop by the Christmas in July photo station to take a family photo to remember this Christmas in July for years to come.
