A Hint of the Hess House: Christmas in July

We continued the long-running tradition (started last year, lol) and we hosted Christmas in July up at Ute Trail. It was a most hilarious occasion starting with a large cedar tree and ending with some wonderful Christmas worship with our staff.

We got real fancy...

The stocking were hung (away from) the chimney with care. AKA We had the staff hang their own socks up for Christmas goodies. Some had the cutest socks... some I'm pretty sure came right off their feet.

We recently had to cut down a tree on camp because it was too close to one of our activities. Luckily it was available for use for Christmas. So what... it's a cedar... none of us knew the difference. The tree was HUGE, like Clark Griswold big. Once we added lights and coffee filter snowflakes and crepe paper it was a beaut.

After a night of Elf watching and tree decorating we woke the staff with Christmas music and rides in the camp "sleighs." They ran in to find their stockings stuffed. How cute is this Matt, Jennie, and little Lizzie's tiny sock...

I had the staff make their best 'it's early morning and we didn't have time to get ready' faces...

We tried to be festively dressed.... but my yellow and puffy red socks may not have been the best combo.

I told Skeet he looked like he was from Moscow or something... a true Father Christmas...

But then of course a very attractive Santa made an appearance too...

They told wonderful stories...

And the staff exchanged their beloved handmade gifts for one another. We only have so many options on camp for boxes and wrapping.

Some got creative with their gifts...

Others got really creative... Voo Doo doll?

Some were surprised and very excited...

I got a most sweet and creative gift for our future fam, made by the one and only Natalie.

Santa even got to open a gift. I think he got a nineties movie with Jennifer Aniston called Picture Perfect. They crossed out "Picture" and wrote in "Pitch"... quite a popular movie.