Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. Maybe that’s why I like to celebrate it in July as well as December. Of course, I don’t haul out the decorations, because that would traumatized my children even more. But I do listen to Christmas carols and hum them and make cookies. So here are Ten reasons to celebrate in July.

1. Never under estimate the value of psychological warfare. When it’s 110+ degrees Fahrenheit, singing about snow and sleigh rides help to keep you cool (especially if your in the pool)

2. As the mercury rises, buttheaditis infects most drivers on the freeways. Knowing a lump (of coal or equivalent) awaits them helps not to activate lasers and blow them off the road. Bonus: not using the lasers Santa gave you keeps you off the naughty list, too.

3. You actually have time to enjoy those Christmas movies your always too busy to watch during December.

4. Family members are enjoyed from the safe distance of their own homes. And when they bring up that embarrassing story from the past your cell can ‘drop’ the call.

5. There are no huge bills waiting you next month, unless you count your cooling bill.

6. Family meals aren’t a big production, and store bought food isn’t frowned upon like you brought a putrid rat for dinner.

7. If you must have presents, you can make sure it is what you want by buying it yourself.

8. You don’t have to stress over the kids clothes or their manners, because only you will be around to notice the mud.

9. You’re not sick to death of Christmas carols or phony Christmas spirit vomited on you by hungry sales clerks.

10. And the very best reason…. Back to school is almost here. While most of the country doesn’t start until after Labor Day, my kids go back August 15th.