It’s Christmas (Vacation) In July!

Our Christmas in July party is becoming an annual tradition, and this year we decided to further our theme by making it a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in July party. Everyone I know seems to love this movie as much as we do, and our guests really got into the spirit of the occasion! I have to say, I think this was our best year yet…and we are already making plans for next year! Let me show you some of the ways we created our fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.

And the (Griswold) stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

My mom has the collectible Griswold house, family truckster, Eddie’s RV, and family that she was kind enough to loan to help set our scene.

Snots kept watch by the front door.

Meanwhile out back, We had some very (ahem) tasteful inflatables, a giant ball of tangled lights in our spa, and Clark hanging off our gutter!

Griswold exterior illumination expert at work.

Got a little knot here.

If it stood still long enough, it got decorated, right down to the lumbar pillows.

We put up a few Christmas trees, including this small one with those signature gifts for Mr. Shirley underneath.

This light-up Clark wreath was one of my favorite decorations.

Another tinsel tree by our beverage counter, keeping things merry.

Speaking of beverages, how about some margarita-flavored non-nutritive cereal varnish? Clark’s favorite.

Or maybe you’d rather try the Mele Kaliki Vodka? The wise way, to say Merry Christmas to you….

Almost all of our food took on the movie theme as well, as you’ll see. And I made this miniature burnt tree to look like Lewis’s cigar took it’s toll.

My friend Jason loaned us his amazing life-sized reindeer, who moves, talks, and sings. He is always a crowd pleaser.

One more Christmas Vacation themed tree inside beside our larger-than-life Clark and the food buffet. Little full, lot of sap.

It wouldn’t be a party without Aunt Bethany’s Jell-O.

I hate to brag, but we are also members of the Jelly of the Month Club. It’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

Where’s the Tylenol?!? (Actually, white M&M’s, which will also cure what ails you).

How fabulous is this cereal treat tree (with candy canes and presents underneath) that our friend Lori made?

We also had an adorable batch of pretzel rod Uncle Lewis’s cigars (thanks to Jen)

and an “I’m Freezing My Baguettes Off” Sub Sandwich tray, sadly not pictured.

As much as I love eggnog, even I can’t drink it in July, so we made Pina Colada Punch as a look alike.

Because using the moose mugs was mandatory.

Remember when I said our friends really embraced the theme? Marc dressed as a kidnapped Mr. Shirley and hands-down won Best Costume!

How about these bathing beauties?

These three even got the dog decked out for his photo opp. I told you, if it stayed still, we decorated it!

Jen was too nice to say she came as trailer trash, so she said she was related to Cousin Eddie. We see you, Jen.

This is Jason (yes, I’m telling on you) who—shockingly—has never seen the movie in its entirety. You serious, Jason?

I feel like Lori and Peter somehow managed to keep it fun and fashionable, so I award them Best Dressed Couple. They look like they belong in the society swirl pages of SouthPark magazine (meanwhile, I had hot glued Christmas bows to my flip flops…all class).

Sharon was my roommate freshman year in college and we have been friends/family ever since. She flew in from Palm Beach for the party!

We got some cigars and Wild Turkey mini bottles as party favors to distribute—”Yeah, I got the daughter in the clinic getting cured off the Wild Turkey.”

And my friend John volunteered to be our “Eddie Claus” and surprised everyone with his goodie bag of “real nice surprises.”

When Cousin Eddie wants you to have a Wild Turkey toast with him, you get into the holiday spirit. Literally.

Looking fine, feeling festive.

Just a candid shot of the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since…well, you know.

We take a picture each year of the Christmas in July founders club. Here is the 2024 edition.

And finally, the jolliest bunch this side of the nuthouse! Merry Christmas to all, and alllllll a good night!

The party started at 2:00, and we finally turned off the Christmas lights around 9:30. You can put up as many decorations and make all the food and cocktails you want, but it really is the people who make a gathering, and we had the absolute best crowd. I came inside tired, waterlogged, and so grateful for all the merriment we enjoyed. I couldn’t help but think of the final scene of our movie—and I had my own little Clark Griswold moment late Saturday night:

Until next year.