Christmas in July is coming! A tradition that is gaining more and more following each year, hosting a Christmas in July event allows us the pleasure of re-creating all the best bits of Christmas, twice a year.
Christmas in December is undoubtedly a popular event on most calendars. The spirit of the season – from spending time with family and friends, indulging in some gorgeous decorating and delicious food – gives the occasion a warm place in our hearts. With so many fond memories and experiences associated with celebrating Christmas, it makes sense to enjoy those precious things as much, and as often, as possible.
What’s particularly great about Christmas in July, is that we get the chance to embrace a wintery Christmas feeling, that is so different to a warm Australian Christmas in the summer months. Through gathering ‘round the fire, tummy-warming roasts, and winter wonderland inspired decorating, it really is Christmas 2.0 (not necessarily better or improved, but a different version all of its own).
To kick-start your Christmas in July event preparations, I’ve prepared a list of my 5 top tips to hosting a fun and festive Christmas in July.
1. Set the date & tone with a fun & festive invitation
When it comes to picking a date for your Christmas in July celebration, there is no hard and fast rule about when it should be. Much like the end of the year, really any date in July is fine, although most people tend to host their party towards the end of July, around or as close as possible to the 25th. Regardless of when you decide to hold your event, I suggest that you don’t delay in preparing and getting your invitations out as soon as possible. Generally, the more notice that people have, the more likely they will be able to attend.
A super simple option for an amazing Christmas in July invitation is to get one online. There are so many great options available to choose from, and you can easily customise them to suit your event. Even better, is that there are lots available for free. You can purchase from suppliers on Etsy or user-friendly online design programs like Canva.
Emailing digital invites to your guests helps to keep costs down and also ensures quick delivery. Depending on who is on your guest list, if it’s practical for you, printing and delivering your invites the ‘old school’ way is always fun, or you might simply set up a Facebook event.
I love any excuse for a dress-up so I always invite my guests to wear an ugly Christmas jumper or any kitsch Christmas attire. You know, the flashing ties, light up aprons, crazy glasses – all the fun stuff to really get into the spirit of things.
2. Create a magical Christmas atmosphere
Understandably, you may not want to go to the extent of getting all of your Christmas decorations out at this time of the year (of course, there is absolutely nothing stopping you if you do want to!).
If you are looking for maximum Christmas in July decorating impact, here are some simple ways to add a magical Christmas atmosphere to your home.
- Hang a wreath on the front door – it’s an easy and wonderful way to offer a warm festive welcome, it sets the scene from the very beginning.
- Create a beautiful table scape – a simple garland with a candle lit table centrepiece, some pretty snowflakes and other glittery decorations will do just nicely. Table top trees are also a quick and easy way to add a touch of Christmas to your table, or any other space around your home.
- Set special places for your guests – go all out with the table decor and place settings. Use your Sunday best tableware and make your guests feel special with a personalised placeholder. Be sure to include bon bons on your table too. They are the perfect way to bring immediate Christmas vibes onto the table. You aren’t likely to find bon bons in the shops at this time of the year, luckily The Christmas Cart’s online store has plenty of bon bons in stock all year ‘round.
3. Order online or bake traditional Christmas goodies
Like Christmas in December, a big part of Christmas in July celebrations is all about the food & drinks. At this time of the year, comfort foods like roast turkey, baked vegetables, pudding and custard are perfect for the chilly July weather.
You shouldn’t have any troubles getting most of the things that you need for your feast at the supermarket. It pays to plan ahead though as you might need to look elsewhere or order in advance for some of those specialty Christmas items, like plum puddings and fruit mince tarts. You should be able find those types of goodies online, or if you are up to it, you could always bake them yourself. Hosting a Christmas in July event is actually the perfect time to try out some new and interesting Christmas recipes. We have a whole section on our blog dedicated to Christmas Cooking. From traditional favourites to new twists, I’m sure you’ll find something to tantalise your taste buds.
4. Set up a Hot Christmas Drinks Bar
As well as the yummy comfort food for the main meal, Christmas in July is the perfect time to warm up with a tasty festive beverage. I always set up a special Hot Christmas Drinks Bar as part of my Christmas In July decorating and celebrating.
It looks gorgeous, as well as being lots of fun and practical too! I use some simple decorations and a free poster download that we have available on our website to make this look cozy and inviting. I also love including a selection of liquors for the older guests to add to their hot chocolate to make it even more yummy.
As far as other warming festive drinks go, Gluhwein is also a popular choice. It smells amazing, one whiff of the gorgeous aroma instantly transports you to a snowy Christmas ski village.
5. Give your guests the gift of giving
The spirit of giving is one of the most beautiful parts of Christmas, so it is nice to be able to give your guests the opportunity to enjoy this special feeling at another time of the year.
For a bit of fun, you might ask your guests to bring a Secret Santa gift within a set a budget and perhaps even within a particular theme. Alternatively, you could use your gathering as an opportunity to help those less fortunate and ask your guests to bring a gift wrapped and tagged to be donated to your favourite charity or a Christmas gift drive later in the year.
However you chose to celebrate Christmas in July, there is definitely a lot of fun to be had. If nothing else, it is a great excuse to get everyone together to share some good food and good company, with a healthy dose of joyous Christmas spirit thrown in for good measure.
We hope you have a great time celebrating Christmas in July with your friends and loved ones.
Be sure to check out The Christmas Cart’s online store for anything that you might need when it comes to decorating, celebrating and hosting your Christmas in July event.