Winter has definitely taken centre stage so it's time to start planning our Christmas in July celebration. In Australia, Christmas falls in the Summer so many of us have BBQ’s & seafood platters, decorate our alfresco areas and enjoy Christmas day in the sun.
In winter, it's time to cozy up by the open fire with a glass of Mulled wine!!! Decorating in Winter is a great opportunity to reinvent your traditions & utilise different Christmas decor for the dining table and create a new theme for the Tree!
Here's my top tips for creating a wonderful Christmas In July Celebration.
1. Set the date and create your invitations. There's some great DIY publishing tools on Canva.com.
2. Dedicate some time to get inspired to decorate! Explore Pinterest and Instagram and check out the My Christmas trends for 2016. You may want to reinvent your traditional Christmas theme for Christmas In July.
3. A wreath on the front door, a simple table display as you enter your home and your gorgeous Christmas tree are the 3 key areas to decorate. If you like to simplify your decorating for Christmas In July, why not decorate your mantel or use a miniature Christmas tree as a centrepiece on your dining table rather than dressing the big tree.
4. Get the children involved in decorating the house during the winter holidays.
5. Break down your menu into Christmas inspired canapés, entree, main & dessert. If you're planning a traditional Roast Turkey with all of the trimmings, you can make your relishes a couple of days before. My favourite condiments include "Cranberry & Orange" and "Caramelised Apple & Onion" relishes, both of which take absolutely no time at all and compliment the traditional Christmas fare!
6. Sipping Mulled wine by the open fire during the cooler months is an absolute must. Jamie Oliver has a fabulous recipe. Another great ‘wow’ option is a cocktail upon arrival. These can be as simple as champagne cocktails, but cocktails aren’t something we generally have every day, so creates a special feel for the night. Check out our cocktail ideas.
7. Don't forget bon bons and Christmas napkins. These on the table with a simple Christmas display, or a lovely vase of fresh flowers, will set the mood for a fun night.
