Are you gearing up to plan Christmas in July celebrations this year and looking for some tips and inspiration? Then you have come to the right place. The Christmas Cart has everything you need to plan for Christmas in July and more. Our team has put together these helpful tips so you can set yourself up for the best Christmas in July yet!
Along with the grand event at the end of the year, our team at The Christmas Cart love planning Christmas in July every year. You could say that we are pretty savvy with dishing out advice on how to organise a Christmas in July event too. So, to make things easy for you, we have put together this quick guide on how to plan Christmas in July. We have packed it full of tips and tricks to get you started.
Quick tips to plan Christmas in July
#1 Set the right date
Christmas in July officially falls on July 25th each year. But, unlike traditional Christmas in December, Christmas in July does not come with its own public holiday.
It is easy to celebrate Christmas in July right on time when the date falls on a weekend. It is generally a little more difficult to plan Christmas in July when the date falls mid-week. Gathering guests, getting the time to cook, preparing our homes and venues, etc, is typically easier to do over the weekend.
So, to save any unwanted stress you can just plan Christmas in July festivities on the weekend that falls nearest the date instead. Of course, there is a little bit more flexibility with this mid-year celebration. It is called Christmas in July after all, so technically you can get away with hosting an event anytime in July that works best for you. The important thing is the celebration of the occasion, not so much the date that you hold it on.
#2 Event location
In Australia, Christmas in July falls in the middle of the winter months. The festivities can certainly be celebrated on a lower-scale than traditional Christmas – but of course, if you prefer big and bold, that is completely fine too!
With this in mind, be sure to arrange a location suitable for cooler weather. For example, if you are planning to host Christmas in July outdoors, ensure there is adequate heating available (portable gas heaters, etc). The time of day can also be a factor to consider if your event is being held outdoors in the middle of winter.
If you are set on the type of catering you want for your Christmas in July party, this can also influence the event location. You can’t plan a Christmas in July sit down luncheon if the venue you choose is more suited to finger food decked with bar tables and stools.
* Tip: if you are planning Christmas in July at home, throw rugs and The Christmas Cart Christmas-themed cushions can make a nice addition for guests in the cooler weather.
#3 Guest invitations
We love to plan Christmas in July specifically for the value of catching up with family and friends. And a second Christmas celebration offers those people who cannot attend in December another chance of sharing the festive cheer in July instead.
But who are the most pertinent people to invite when you plan Christmas in July?
When you have worked out the most suitable date to host your event, here is a simple formula I like to use when planning my Christmas in July guest invitations:
- add all the people who I usually miss out on catching up with in December to the top of my guest invitation list
- provide guests with at least three (3) weeks’ notice of my intention to plan a Christmas in July event (6 weeks’ notice is even better)
- request RSVP’s one and a half weeks before the date – this allows time to follow-up non-responses and plenty of time to arrange catering and set-up logistics
#4 Decorating and theming
You don’t have to go over the top when planning Christmas in July decorations. But if you want to keep it different from your main affair in December, which many people do, you could consider setting a unique theme for your event.
Winter is the perfect opportunity to deck your venue with winter-themed decorations and ornaments. Fake snow, snow globes, snowmen in Christmas-themed scarfs; get stuck into all of those Christmas decorations that may not work so well for us in the southern hemisphere at Christmas time. Icicle fairy lights are perfect to make it that little more festive
You don’t have to stick to a winter-based themed. What is important is that you plan a Christmas in July theme that will coincide with the atmosphere that you want to create (relaxed, professional, fun, formal, etc). The choices with this really are endless and one of the most fun elements of planning Christmas in July.
If you host Christmas in July every year, you can choose to run with the same theme each year or change it up to spark interest amongst your guests.
* Tip: for Christmas in July theme inspiration, check out The Christmas Cart Inspiration Gallery
Checklist to plan Christmas in July
When the time comes to plan your Christmas in July event this year, the best tip we can give is to get organised early.
- Set the right date
- Choose a location suitable for the weather and for your intended catering
- Prioritise your guest list and allow reasonable notice
- Set a theme
- Have fun!
For everything that you need to plan your Christmas in July theming and decorations check out the full range of personalised and non-personalised Christmas decor and ornaments available at The Christmas Cart.