Junemas

During the COVID-19 Pandemic I started celebrating Junemas and encouraging my family to do so. Junemas is the 25th of June and is a tiny Christmas. I wonder what our AI chums know about it?

I asked: What is Junemas?

ChatGPT said:

Thought for 44 seconds

Junemas, in a nutshell

Junemas is an informal, largely U‑K‑based “Christmas‑in‑June” celebration that lands on (or around) 25 June – exactly six months before Christmas Day.
It’s a mash‑up of June + Christmas, popularised in 2021 when supermarket Aldi rolled out a high‑profile #AldiJunemas campaign inviting people to enjoy the Christmas they missed during COVID lockdowns. aldipresscentre.co.uk

Why it caught on

What happened	Why it mattered
Lockdowns spoiled Christmas 2020	Many families couldn’t meet, so a “second chance” Christmas sounded fun – especially once summer weather allowed outdoor gatherings. chunkofdevon.co.uk
Aldi’s stunt went viral	The retailer relaunched mince pies, pigs‑in‑blankets and even a summer‑edition Kevin the Carrot toy, sparking national headlines and social‑media chatter. underthechristmastree.co.uk
Half‑way‑to‑Christmas maths	25 June is the tipping point where we’re closer to the next Christmas than the last, so brands such as Park Christmas Savings use the whole of June for prize draws and festive quizzes. christmas.getpark.co.uk
Events & local spins	Town parades (e.g., Hull’s Victorian‑themed “Jerry McBaubles” parade in 2024) and themed menus from pie‑makers, hog‑roast caterers and pubs turned Junemas into a reason to gather. backtoours.co.uk spittingpighampshire.co.uk

Typical Junemas traditions

Food: Summer barbecues with Christmas flavours – turkey burgers, mince pies, giant pigs‑in‑blankets kebabs.
Décor: People dust off the fairy lights, pop on jumpers for novelty selfies, or put a mini tree outside the tent at a festival.
Games & giving: Brands run “12 Days of Junemas” giveaways, savings clubs launch “half‑way‑there” promotions, and some families exchange small presents as a teaser for December.
Charity ties: Several #Junemas events donate proceeds to causes such as Teenage Cancer Trust or local food banks, echoing Christmas giving.

How Junemas fits in the calendar

Leon Day (25 June) – “NOEL” spelled backwards – already marks halfway to Christmas among American crafters; Junemas is the broader, party‑oriented equivalent in the U.K.
Christmas in July – Older southern‑hemisphere tradition (25 July). Junemas simply shifts the fun a month earlier for northern‑hemisphere barbecue weather and marketing momentum.
Not an official holiday – Schools, banks and workplaces carry on as normal; Junemas lives on social media, in store promotions and community events.

So, if someone invites you to Junemas…

Expect tinsel‑wrapped garden furniture, cold prosecco next to hot mince pies, and plenty of tongue‑in‑cheek “Merry Junemas!” greetings. It’s a lightweight, good‑humoured excuse to gather with friends and family – and a reminder that the real festive season is only six months away. 🎄

My comments: I have never seen ChatGPT “think” before. I will now ask Copilot the same question.