Throwing a Jolly July Christmas Bash: A How-To Guide

At Gift All Season, we seize every opportunity to commemorate Christmas. We believe festive ornaments aren’t limited to just Christmas trees, and the joy of Christmas can (and should!) be revisited on its half-year mark. Celebrating Christmas in July brings us immense joy, and we’re thrilled to offer some of our top suggestions for hosting a Christmas-in-July gathering. 

1. Compile a guest list. Select guests who enjoy having a good time, adding some who are notably creative thinkers. Since Christmas in July is an unconventional and fabricated holiday, inviting strictly rule-followers will reduce the fun. Include people whose birthdays are near Christmas, giving them a moment to shine. Consider those who’ve missed out on Christmas festivities due to being abroad—this could be their perfect opportunity. 
2. Decide on the dress code. While ugly Christmas sweater parties are common, July calls for an ugly swimwear theme. Guests will come up with wild and amusing outfits. 
3. Plan the menu. Swap the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce for turkey roll-ups, potato chips, and a Christmas fruit tree. Summertime food is less demanding than a classic Christmas feast. Watermelon Christmas trees are simple to make and delightful to eat. Seasonal fruits make for excellent festive treats. 
4. Adorn the venue. Decorating for a Christmas in July event is always enjoyable. A summer pool theme is always a hit. Consider a large green inner tube, adorned with wide Christmas ribbon and topped with a bow for a quirkier wreath. Dollar store red and green pool noodles can be shaped into oversized candy canes with wire and white ribbon. Pineapples make easy and edible table decorations, and we love a clear vase filled with sand and accented with Christmas in July ornaments like the Snowman on Beach or the Sand Snowman ornament, as well as the Surfer Santa and Sunning Santa ornaments. The Christmas Palm Tree ornament, wrapped with lights and stacked with gifts, is an excellent choice. Gift All Season offers numerous summer ornaments like Sea Shells, Sailboat, Lobster Trap, and more. Another vibrant and festive DIY project is a drink-umbrella wreath; simply pop open umbrellas and insert them into a foam circle. 
5. Organize games and activities. If you have a pool, activities are naturally included. If not, don’t worry—how about a fun game of “flip the flip-flop”? One person launches a flip-flop from their foot, and their partner, standing at a distance, tries to catch it with a Santa hat. A water balloon fight with red, green, and white balloons can also be a blast. For pool owners, hosting a “swim-in” movie night with Christmas-themed floaties and inner tubes is a fantastic way to conclude the evening. Classic holiday movies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, or The Grinch are sure to be popular. 
6. Party favors. As guests wrap up the festivities and head home, a summer and Christmas-themed cookie, individually wrapped, makes for a delightful party favor. Red, green, and white flip-flops presented in a bucket or basket near the entrance would also be a fun parting gift. 

Never underestimate the delight of a Christmas-in-July celebration. It’s an entertaining theme for the middle of the year, usually devoid of major holidays. Likely, it will become a cherished tradition, potentially sparing you from hosting Christmas dinner on the actual holiday.