WAYNE, N.J. - Retailers are hoping a little mistletoe and thoughts of Santa will create Christmas magic during the hot summer months, the Washington Post reports. Several retail chains are holding Black Friday-type sales this month to get shoppers thinking about presents and spending.

For example, Toys R Us had bonus discounts and mystery items on sale each day last week and weekend, while Sears and Kmart reintroduced Christmas-club savings programs. Target had a 24-hour sale on Friday to drum up business.

While some of the merchandise on sale brought to mind the holidays?"games, toys, Blu-ray players?"others were more reminiscent of hot weather, such as Target??s 25-percent discount on bathing suits.

"It??s not connected to Christmas," said C. Britt Beemer, who chairs America??s Research Group. "It??s just a title of an event." His surveys found that between 5 percent and 7 percent of consumers shop for Christmas gifts year-round.

"The recession has forced everyone to be much more creative," added Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail.

Target dubbed its first summer Christmas sale "Back in Black Friday." "It??s all about generating that sense of excitement and that sense of urgency with our guests," said Target spokeswoman Molly Hanus.