Christmas in July!

So, as some of you may know I am a huge Christmas person. If you've seen that Taylor Swift interview on David Letterman a couple years ago where she says she is a "Christmas sweater, ginger bread cookie girl," that is me. Christmas crosses my mind an average of 4 times a day. I have some Christmas ornaments hung around my room and a strand of colored lights in my room 24/7. I look up Christmas crafts on Pinterest the whole year long. I was that kid who cried Christmas night because "I don't want Santa to be gone." (That is an actual quote from my seven year old self.) And yes, I am that girl who listens to Christmas music occasionally throughout the year and considers it "Christmas season" once October hits. To say I love Christmas is literally an understatement.

It's such a happy time of year and everyone is jolly and it is cold and you get to wear scarves and wrap presents and watch Christmas movies and drink hot cocoa and decorate everything and everything smells like cinnamon and pine trees. Though, if I'm honest with you, I do a lot of these things throughout the year. I am a strong believer in "it can be Christmas any time of year." And since there are a lot of "Christmas in July" things happening, I have an excuse to make a Christmasy-theme post and act as Christmasy as I please!

I've made a list of Christmas songs that I listen to every single year. I was going to bold my favorite ones but then all of them would be bolded, haha!

Santa Baby by Ariana Grande & Liz Gillies

Shake Up Christmas by Train (will make you super happy!)

Somewhere in My Memory (Main title from Home Alone) by John Williams (LOVE)

White Christmas by The Drifters

I'll Be Home for Christmas by She & Him 

Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) by Michael Buble

Last Christmas by Wham!

The Lord's Prayer by Frank Sinatra (could be used any time of year, but this is a Christmasy version!)

It's Not Christmas Without You by Victoria Justice/Victorious Cast

Up On the Housetop by Hawk Nelson

Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? by Ella Fitzgerald (this song is my #1 favorite if I had to pick)

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon

Merry Christmas Darling by Christina Perri 

Thankful by Josh Groban (also a great Thanksgiving song)

Silent Night by Taylor Swift

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Rod Stewart

Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong

O Holy Night by Celine Dion

Joseph's Lullaby by MercyMe (tears will be shed during this)

Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice (danced to this in ballet when I was little, makes me cry!)

Let There Be Peace on Earth by Vince Gill & Jenny Gill (reminds me of Miss Edith<3)
Believe by Josh Groban (this is a really calming lyric video hahah!) 

Rockin' On Top of the World by Steven Tyler

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas by Perry Como

Hot Chocolate by Tom Hanks 

This is just a tiny portion of all the Christmas songs I absolutely love, but these were all that came to mind as I was typing this. Josh Groban, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, & Ella Fitzgerald are my favorite Christmas music artists and I strongly recommend listening to all of their Christmas music! 

And just in case you don't want to celebrate Christmas in July, I've compiled some songs that remind me of Independence Day. (And I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!)

Made in America by Toby Keith

Made in the USA by Demi Lovato

Independence Day by Martina McBride

American Saturday Night by Brad Paisley

God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood

American Honey by Lady Antebellum

Life is Good by Kenny Chesney

Thank God for Hometowns by Carrie Underwood

Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina

For These Times by Martina McBride (this is an amazing music video for a beautiful song- MUST watch!)

For You by Keith Urban

My Last Name by Dierks Bentley

Born Country by Alabama

In God We Still Trust by Diamond Rio

Letters From Home by John Michael Montgomery

Have You Forgotten? by Darryl Worley (I remember listening to this on the way to school)

Some Gave All by Billy Ray Cyrus

Courtesy of the Red White & Blue by Toby Keith (Toby just reminds me of America haha)

Where Were You by Alan Jackson

Fly Over States by Jason Aldean
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus

This Land is Your Land (from Disney Movie "Luck of the Irish" which is one of my favorite dcoms!)

Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen

Pink Houses by John Mellencamp

ROCK in the USA by John Mellencamp

American Kids by Kenny Chesney (absolutely love this one! such a happy beat)
Been Here All Along by Hannah Montana (you're probably laughing, but this is actually an amazing song & the video includes other songs but it's a military tribute video!)

After looking through and listening to all these songs, I realized why I love all of them. They are comfort songs. I always listen to Christmas music when I need to relax and when I'm feeling sad. And country music is my favorite genre of music e.v.e.r. I hope you enjoy this list of songs as well! :) 

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas in July! *jingles sleigh bells*

And to all my family, friends, and anyone who has served, is serving, or is planning to serve in the military, thank you so much. You are always in my prayers and I am so thankful for you. 

-Rachel xx