HOW TO GET YOUR CHRISTMAS ON
Want to get a jump-start on your Christmas spirit? Here are some ideas.
QVC AND HSN
QVC kicked off its 31st annual Christmas in July celebration on July 1. Special programming this week and next leads up to a two-day finale set for July 31-Aug. 1, when some of the network’s biggest seasonal merchandisers (the Scott Brothers, Plow & Hearth, Jim Shore, Valerie Parr Hill) are featured. Fall and harvest merchandise comes later in August. HSN has finished its Christmas in July programming and is focusing on its birthday finale the rest of the month. Both home shopping channels feature Christmas items on their websites — what hasn’t sold out on-air.
HALLMARK ORNAMENTS
Hallmark Gold Crown stores and Hallmark.com introduced more than 200 ornaments earlier this month as part of the company’s annual Keepsake Ornament premiere event. This year marks the 46th year of the signature ornaments, which began in 1973 as a collection of six glass balls and 12 yarn figures, according to a news release. The entire Keepsake line for 2018 includes more than 400 ornaments, ranging from snowmen to “Star Trek” collectibles. More than half premiered July 14-22, and the rest will be rolled out online and in stores in coming weeks.
HALLMARK MOVIES
As a tie-in to the ornaments premiere, Hallmark Channel devotes much of its July schedule to Christmas movies. The formulaic plots have inspired critical wrath as well as drinking games (with hot chocolate, of course), but the movies wouldn’t air if they weren’t watched. Signal Mountain native Rachel Boston, who has several Hallmark movies to her credit, stars in “Ice Sculpture Christmas,” airing at 8 a.m. Thursday. She plays Callie Shaw, an aspiring chef whose “passions for cooking and ice sculpting are met with romance and Christmas spirit.” Who could’ve guessed?
BELL RINGERS
The Salvation Army kicks off registration for Christmas volunteers with a reception at 5 p.m. today at its ReCreate Cafe, 800 McCallie Ave. Guests will be treated to cookies, cider and a short presentation on ways to get involved this holiday season.
AXS TV
This cable and satellite network is going hard-core for the holidays on Saturday with Christmas specials from Jennifer Nettles, Chris Isaak, Michael McDonald, Jessica Simpson, Faith Hill, Rod Stewart, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and, wait for it, Twisted Sister, among others. Music starts at 10:30 a.m.
FESTIVE TOWNS
In a July 12 post, food website Delish. com offers a list of 10 towns that celebrate Christmas in July. Some are only on designated days, such as the Byers’ Choice festival in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, home of the famous Caroler figures. The festival is July 25-28. The museum is open year-round. Some places, including North Pole, New York, and Santa Claus, Indiana, celebrate all month. Closest to Chattanooga is the annual Christmas in July Festival in West Jefferson, North Carolina. Its annual observance (held July 7 this year) was begun 32 years ago to promote the local Christmas tree industry.