DICK PYATT’S FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN JULY-

DICK PYATT'S FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN JULY-
Of course, one of funest ways to celebrate is to give a "Christmas Gift" in July. I was thinking of this when I put together a collection of traditional Christmas favorites such as Oh Christmas Tree, White Christmas, and Christmas Waltz for my CD, "A Christmas Gift.".
And I thought at the same time, it may be as unusual as Christmas in July to include a dramatic and emotional rendering of two traditional songs of the Jewish faith, Eli, Eli and Kol Nidre, as a highlight on the CD as they are seldom performed in a secular music environment
Although the legendary Johnny Mathis , pictured with me on my CD,, A Christ mas Gift is one of a few who in his 1958 album for Columbia, "Good Night Dear Lord," brought his mellow sounds to the great Yom Kippur show-stopper "Kol Nidre" and Yiddish theater hit "Eli Eli".
In this context, one of the delights included on the CD is composer Al Petrone's A Christmas Gift recorded a few years ago by among others, Julius La Rosa . The melody and sentiment created by former backup singers for the great Karen Carpenter on the CD turns July into a cold and warm cozy winter haven.
Now to get in the mood for the fun ways to celebrate Christmas in July , first, of course play my CD in the background and then Play Christmas prty games from A to Z.
Then Make Christmas decorations from plants, leaves, flowers, and twigs.
Make and decorate your favorite Christmas cookies.
Trim a live or artificial tree. Use one that's growing in your yard, or find a nice tree branch without leaves and decorate that with flowers, natural ornaments or ribbons. Hang shells, starfish and fishing lures for ornaments if you want a tropical Christmas theme.
Make a garland from paper decorations and string it up along your porch.
Decorate the house or garden with your favorite Christmas lights and decorations. Try some wacky party lights for a summertime twist - perhaps red and green chili pepper lights for your Christmas in July decorations.
Hang stockings for Santa to fill on July 24, or to fill with party favors.
Play Christmas music, or have a Christmas carol sing-along.
Make a treat-filled holiday pinata for the kids - pull-string style.
Hand out Christmas coloring books and small packets of crayons - or fill stockings with these.
And of course you're playing a Christmas Gift Music ( remember?) and forgetting about the troubles of the world..