Christmas in July is a fun yet still niche trend where people gather, host a party, and decorate in a way that resembles Christmas. It’s also a halfway point to the Christmas celebrations, we are oh so ready for the entire year round. Festive décor, gift exchanges, and planning the perfect Christmas in July menu, this event will light up your summer months with a little bit of Christmas magic.
The idea of Christmas in July originally comes from the southern hemisphere countries. Christmas in Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa falls during their summer, but as you can imagine, Christmas doesn’t feel that Christmas-y when it’s hot out, so some people like to get a little taste of it in the summer. Businesses all over the world have also adopted this concept as a unique way to surprise their fans with a mid-year sale!
If you, like us, have also gotten the itch of wanting to celebrate Christmas in July, maybe this is your sign to host a mini Christmas party, with everything Christmas has to offer, but suitable for the hot summer days and warm summer evenings. Invite your friends, decorate, and plan a Christmas in July menu to get this party started.
How to Host a Christmas in July Party
To make things a little bit easier, here’s our list of ideas and must-haves for a Christmas in July party.
Set the scene with Summer-Christmas Décor
-
Mix Christmas decorations and summery elements. This could include fairy christmas lights, red and greenery, such as cranberries, palm tree leaves, Christmas wreaths and artificial flowers.
-
Decorate with summer-themed ornaments on the tree or around your space—think seashells, tropical fruits, or a Santa Claus in summer attire
-
If you want to push it to the next level, Santa statue, figurines or infinity lights will do the trick!
-
Hang up garlands for a cozy and festive atmosphere.
Dress for the Occasion
-
Set the dress code and encourage your guests to wear Christmas-themed, yet summer-friendly outfits. Hawaiian shirts with Santa print, Santa hats or diy tinsel accessories to go with their swimsuits.
-
To make everyone want to follow the dress code, you can even plan a contest for a “Best Christmas in July party”. How exciting!
Christmas Activities, but the Summer Version
-
Poolside Secret Santa - Organize a gift exchange, but change the fireplace for a pool or the beach.
-
Christmas Karaoke - Sing your heart out to the Christmas songs in the sunshine or through the sunset.
-
Outdoor Holiday Movie Night - Have a watch party of Christmas Classics under the stars.
Christmas in July Food and Drinks
Food brings everyone together, and most importantly, it will help you highlight your theme of Christmas in July by bringing together the familiar cozy flavors, with a few fresh twists we love in the summer.
Christmas in July Menu: Light and Refreshing Appetizers
No dinner party, summer or winter, has truly started without at least a couple of delicious appetizers to kick things off! To keep your Christmas in July menu light, refreshing and easy to enjoy in the warm summer months avoid heavy winter starters, and instead opt for chilled and vibrant flavors. Our favorite fresh takes on holiday classics include:
-
A classic shrimp cocktail with a zesty dip. Chilled seafood is a must-have, so shrimp cocktail obviously popped to our mind when making this menu. Served with a bold and zesty cocktail sauce will create the perfect balance of tanginess, spiciness and citrus flavors.
-
Bring together the coziness of cranberries and flavors of grilled bread. A grilled bruschetta with a cranberry sauce will be the favorite item on your Christmas in July menu, that’s for sure!
Christmas in July Menu: The Main Course
When it comes to the main course of your Christmas in July Menu, the goal is to keep things festive, but still light and summery. You can balance the traditional flavors and a few seasonal ingredients to create the main course, perfect for celebrating Christmas in the Summer.
-
Turkey or chicken breast marinated with a blend of herbs, such as rosemary, thyme or sage, wild garlic and orange zest, and then grilled to perfection… if that doesn’t sound dreamy, we’re not sure what will. A herb-crusted turkey or chicken will make for the perfect holiday-inspired main course.
-
For your Christmas in July party there should also be a vegetarian dish available and it should be just as satisfying as its meaty counterparts. Grilled stuffed peppers with festive flavors can be easily prepped in advance, and they’ll make for a mix of savoury, smoky and festive flavors. Some of our favorite stuffings for bell peppers include wild ride, cranberries, toasted nuts and goat cheese. Now that’s a hearty vegetarian meal!
Christmas in July Menu: Side Dishes
Every feast also needs side dishes to go with everything else you have going on.
-
Our favorite summer pick, which is just comforting enough to remind us of the holiday season, must be corn on the cob with herb butter. It’s an irresistible summer classic that will complement the grilled meats of bell peppers perfectly.
-
You know what else you can really easily infuse with the smells and flavors of Christmas? Salads! This Christmas in July, make a summer panzanella salad with cranberries and pecans, which you and your guests will simply fall in love with. Personally, we think it would also make the perfect meal-prepped work lunch!
Christmas in July Menu: Desserts
End your Christmas in July menu on a sweet note with festive desserts, and make your desserts just as good (and fun!) looking as they’ll taste. Our picks look like Christmas is just around the corner, while remaining perfectly light for warm summer nights.
-
Strawberry Santa hats may sound silly, but fruit after a meal in the summer just hits the spot like no other. Cut the green part off of your strawberries and place them on a plate so they face up. Then you can add fluff to them around the bottom and on top, to create little fruity Santa hats. Make sure to serve with small skewers, so your guests will be able to enjoy their dessert mess-free!
-
Offer coconut ice cream scoops, covered in coconut shavings! This will make your dessert look like a snowball, while being light, perfect after the satisfying Christmas in July meal.
Drinks: Festive Beverages to Stay Cool
And now, to dot the i’s and add the cherry on top, let’s perfect the drinks for your Christmas in July menu as well. The drinks should be refreshing, whether they’re caffeinated, boozy, or fruity, so here are a few of our favorite picks:
-
Mix up a light and refreshing Christmas sangria and let it rest overnight. Of course, to make it taste Christmasy, choose the wine and fruit that reminds you of Christmas. That could be crisp white wine, cranberries, fresh orange slices, cinnamon sticks… create a drink that’s perfect for sipping under the summer sun.
-
A peppermint iced coffee is a cool twist on a winter favorite. Infuse your iced coffee with peppermint for a rich and bold coffee flavor, paired with a minty kick! It will be the ideal pick-me-up for your guests after your meal as well!
To Sum up
Get to planning your own Christmas in July party now! It’s the perfect way to bring a little holiday cheer into the summer months, especially for us individuals who really miss Christmas and would love to celebrate it twice a year. All you need is some Christmas décor you have stored back in January, plan a few activities, prepare the Christmas in July menu and you’re good to go! Invite your loved ones and let the holiday vibes shine even in the summer.
