How to Throw an Xmas Bash in July
Midwinter Christmas Celebration Ideas from Koch
At Koch, we love Christmas. So much so, we even celebrate it in July. Celebrating Christmas midwinter is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, bring out your taper candles, roast a turkey, get together with your friends and family, and have a celebration. If you like turkey (and all the trimmings), Christmas kitsch, and throwing parties, you should see Christmas in July as nothing more than an excuse to stage a get together. Here are a few tips on how to throw a fantabulous mid-year Xmas party:
Plan Your Party
Just how Christmassy do you want it to be? Are you going all out? Food, party decorations, tall slender taper candles, soundtrack and all? Are you going to jump on the internet and order new Christmas decorations online? Or are simply looking to stage a dinner party with some Christmas themed foods? When it comes to the food it’s important to think about just how much of the catering you want to do yourself. If you’re hosting, remember its okay to call upon your friends and family to get involved – and you know what, it might even help them get into the spirit of the event while making sure you keep your Christmas cool!
It’s the little touches that make all the difference to a celebration, like gingham ribbon, decorative cord and gift bags for the table. At Koch we’re getting new stock in regularly – so there’s plenty of time for you to get in the Christmas spirit!
The Food
The hero of the feast has got to be turkey if you’re going the full traditional route, or a warming alternative like a salmon en croute or nut-loaf for the vegetarians (wrapping anything in pastry helps!). If you are preparing a turkey or another main, you simply have to have it with the appropriate sides: roast potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, gravy, bread sauce, cauliflower and cheese etc. In order to keep the event relaxed and informal, like all good Xmas in July celebrations, think about setting the meal up as a buffet, rather than a formal sit down affair.
The Drinks
It can be a lot of fun to embrace drinks that are traditionally Christmassy, but don’t really suit our warmer climes in December. Depending on the region, it can be decidedly chilly in Australia during July, so why not prepare some good old fashioned egg nog (egg yolks, sugar, milk, cream and nutmeg are the main ingredients, and it can be spiked with rum, brandy or rum or enjoyed in nonalcoholic form) to help warm everyone’s spirits or some soul enriching mulled wine. If you’re not in the mood for a warm beverage, another good idea for party drinks and super easy to make include “bucks fizz” (champagne and orange juice) or cocktail jugs that guests can help themselves to. Make sure you have some fancy paper straws on hand too!
The Decorations
You don’t have to go overboard with the decorations – however, a few tastefully featured Christmas decorations will add a real sense of festivity to the proceedings. Also, don’t forget, July is the perfect time to purchase any new decorations, as Christmas paraphernalia is often much cheaper mid year. Staging a mid-year Christmas bash is also a good time to experiment with some of your old decorations: think of it as a dress rehearsal for the real thing.
Candles
If Christmas decorations aren’t for you, why not consider using a few well placed candles to help create that perfect Christmas ambience. Taper candles are such an easy and effective decorative device, and will lend your mid year Xmas celebrations a touch of class.
While midwinter Christmas celebrations may not be for everyone, at Koch we see it as a great excuse to throw a party, pick up some discounted Christmas decorations in preparation for the real thing, and eat some soulful winter food!
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