Christmas in July!!

Every year we try to celebrate Christmas in July, partly because it's fun and partly because it's halfway to Christmas and we're having a hard time waiting. So, we bring a few of our traditional foods into a holiday style dinner.  Sure, we could put up a tree and share gifts but that is just more than we want to do.  It's all about the Spirit of Christmas after all.  So, on goes the Christmas music and at one point we watch a holiday movie. We make only some of the things we typically have for Christmas dinner, but, leave out some so we maintain the specialness of the actual holiday.

This year we are going to be starting a few new traditions for Christmas in July that will set it apart from our December celebration and create a unique new holiday.

To start with, we will have a barbecue.  When cooking on the grill, Christmas doesn't usually spring to mind, but, using a little imagination we can fix that.

Let's start with the appetizers.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites will be a nice way to nibble while we wait. 

Lumps of Coal made from Oreo cookies and Rice Krispies adds a bit of fun for the kids.

To drink we'll have two decanters. One with cold water labeled Melted Snowflakes and the other with lemonade labeled Yellow Snow.

For the main courses we'll bring in the typical turkey but give it a barbecue twist by using turkey breast and legs and grilling them. The side dishes will be Sweet Potato Fries 

Mozzarella Avocado Tomato Salad with it's green and yellow color

For fun after dinner we'll have a snow ball fight.  Yes, I said a snow ball fight, in July.  Here's how that works.

Get a bunch of white water balloons.  Fill with water and throw. 

You could be as creative as you want, with holiday versions of most backyard games. 

For dessert we'll be having Santa Hat Brownies

Egg Nog Cupcakes

and Big Bad Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

And to top it all off, instead of hot chocolate, we will have Chocolate Italian Sodas. 

The decor will be in holiday colors but decidedly Christmas-y, with white lights in the smaller trees, and the larger trees up-lit in red and green. We'll have Christmas music playing, and the tables will be set with our Christmas best. Everyone will be expected to dress for the occasion, in reds, greens, white, and be as creative as they want.

I've saved the best part for last. As we all know, Christmas is a time for giving, and no celebration of that wonderful season would be complete without some kind of special service to some unsuspecting neighbor. This year we will be making peach preserves and setting jars on the doorsteps of some of our neighbors just as we would at Christmas. 

So there you have it. I'd love to hear your thoughts, or about your own Christmas in July celebrations.