Christmas in July

This site is still brand spanking new, and what better way to christen a space than with a party? Granted, the event I am speaking of actually happened last month, but it was quite a fete. Since most of you couldn’t attend, let me take you there by telling you all about it (and that way, I can relive it again, too). It’s about to feel like Christmas up in here. Put on your party pants and get merry, would you? It’s Christmas in July!

When we first started, I had no idea how much fun it was going to be to dig the Christmas decorations out of the attic mid-summer and enjoy them this time of year. Hello, garland and Santas and wreaths, fancy seeing you here! Oh, reindeer and snowflakes and giant Christmas lights, how I have missed you these past months. Come out into the sunlight. My mom even graciously loaned us some of her holiday swag as well, so believe me when I say our halls were decked for the occasion.

I added a pair of flip flops and some sunglasses to my Christmas wreath and voila! Welcome to Christmas in July!

I added a pair of flip flops and some sunglasses to my Christmas wreath and voila!

Welcome to Christmas in July!

We put a tinsel tree in our hot tub; I mean, doesn’t everyone?

We put a tinsel tree in our hot tub; I mean, doesn’t everyone?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (in July).

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (in July).

We decorated a couple more trees, and gave Santa a beach towel, beach ball, and some swim goggles.

We decorated a couple more trees, and gave Santa a beach towel, beach ball, and some swim goggles.

My friend Heather loaned us this cute tree decorated with Elf the movie themed ornaments. Son of a nutcracker!

My friend Heather loaned us this cute tree decorated with Elf the movie themed ornaments. Son of a nutcracker!

The grill was loaded with Santa hats, reindeer ears, Christmas koozies and sunscreen. Which way to the fun? This way!

The grill was loaded with Santa hats, reindeer ears, Christmas koozies and sunscreen.

Which way to the fun? This way!

No party is complete without food and drinks. We served spicy cranberry margaritas to add a holiday vibe.

No party is complete without food and drinks. We served spicy cranberry margaritas to add a holiday vibe.

How about a souvenir cup? Drink up, Grinches!

How about a souvenir cup? Drink up, Grinches!

Bottled water? Boring. Melted snowman? Yes, please.

Bottled water? Boring. Melted snowman? Yes, please.

I asked our guests to bring a Christmas themed appetizer—we even had Christmas cookies!

I asked our guests to bring a Christmas themed appetizer—we even had Christmas cookies!

The charcuterie is in the shape of a Christmas tree: can you see it?

The charcuterie is in the shape of a Christmas tree: can you see it?

How about the Santa hummus platter?

How about the Santa hummus platter?

Even the puppy was happy with the holiday buffet.

Even the puppy was happy with the holiday buffet.

Heather’s favorite Christmas movie is A Smoky Mountain Christmas, starring Dolly Parton, so she wore her Dolly wig in tribute. Please also notice Carrie (right) wearing a skirt just perfect for the occasion. I love my friends.

Heather’s favorite Christmas movie is A Smoky Mountain Christmas, starring Dolly Parton, so she wore her Dolly wig in tribute. Please also notice Carrie (right) wearing a skirt just perfect for the occasion. I love my friends.

‘Tis the season, am I right?

‘Tis the season, am I right?

Feeling festive!

Feeling festive!

A giant Christmas wreath float? Boughs of holly!

A giant Christmas wreath float? Boughs of holly!

We spent the day swimming, sipping, sunning and listening to a playlist of our favorite Christmas songs, including some very fun steel drum band and Jimmy Buffet versions of the classic carols you know and love. It was decided early on that this was actually the first annual Christmas in July, so I look forward to telling you about next year’s party, too, which is sure to be even bigger and better. Christmas comes but once a year—says who?

Merry Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July!

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