After a year of lock-downs and missed or reimagined holiday gatherings, this summer is a great time to take advantage of any opportunity for celebration. Luckily, Christmas in July is here for us.
General consensus is that Christmas in July was first invented in the 1930s at a girl’s summer camp in North Carolina. But its modern form really started gaining steam in the last few decades. Although it’s celebrated in both the northern and southern hemispheres, northern festivities can take a more deliberately ironic form. The long, hot days of summer create an entertaining contrast to traditional holiday themes. It’s a perfect opportunity for fun, merriment, and, of course, wine.
Throwing your own celebration this year? We’re here to help. Whether you want quick-and-easy or creative-and-intricate, here are some fun ideas for a Christmas in July party, from your merry friends at M Cellars.
1. Deck your halls (or yard)
You don’t need to go Griswold; a few festive touches will do the trick. String up some fairy lights in the backyard or indoors (you may find yourself in no rush to take them down!). You could even create a string light Christmas tree. Add some tinsel and garland here and there. Or get clever incorporating more of summer into your decor — try garland made from drink umbrellas or a wreath constructed of summer flowers.
2. Get some holiday garb
Offer your guests some holiday accessories to don at their leisure. Since it’s high July, leave the Santa suit in storage (unless someone is willing). Santa hats, reindeer antler headbands, red sparkly sunglasses and garland necklaces will work perfectly. You could also invite people to come wearing red, white and green.
3. Add some snow(cones) and frosty beverages
Snow cones are a fun treat for partygoers of all ages. For the kiddos, go with classic crushed ice topped with homemade or store-bought syrup, or blend frozen fruit and ice for a whole-food option. For the adults, just add wine. You could go with Frosé, or let guests choose from a range of white wines to top their cone (try Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer and Rkatsiteli). You could also make red wine sangria or chilled mulled wine (we recommend Pinot Noir for both), serve chilled Brut Rosé in Christmas-themed flutes… we can think of lots of ways to incorporate wine.
4. Offer seasonal snacks
Again, stick with red, white and green; summer greens salad with strawberries, watermelon Christmas trees, a Christmas-colored charcuterie board, roasted Brussels sprouts and tomato pasta, cranberry barbecue spare ribs—there’s plenty of summer fare in a Christmas color palette. If you want to get very cute, make some reindeer sliders or melting snowmen cookies.
5. Have a gift exchange
Ask guests to bring a summer-appropriate gift for white elephant. Think pool floats, simple yard games, fun sunglasses. Did we mention that M Cellars wine makes a choice? Draw names from a stocking and let the games begin!
There you have it, our ideas for throwing a Christmas in July cellarbration, complete with wine. We wish you all a very merry summer, and hope to see you at our estate soon.
