Christmas In July

Have you every tried Christmas in July? As we are so used to having a hot Christmas here in Australia, with often the lighter foods being offered, it makes a nice change to serve the more traditional foods during this cooler month.

Photo by DJ Lean

For us the leaden skies and the colder weather seem sometimes to drag on and on, so it is a nice counterpoint to break the dreariness, with a vibrant night of feasting with family and friends. Set the table with red, silver or gold Christmas decorations, get out your special dinnerware and glasses, light the open fire and cook up a storm! Add some pine branches for the beautiful smell and lots of fat red ribbons tied onto curtain rods, chair backs, banisters, door handles.

For inspiration try Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson recipes. Turkey with stuffing and gravy, chestnuts, ham with all the trimmings – roasted potatoes, parsnips and pumpkin, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, eggnog, mulled wine.

Photo by Daniel Greene

Gifts of spice or pine scented potpourri in muslin bags, little ‘joke’ or funny trinkets tailored to the receiver, party bags of cheap whistles, masks, sweets from the party shop – just something small to sit at each place setting will add to the festive feeling.

Finish the evening with some hot chocolate and carol singing or silly games. You never know, you may have started a tradition of your own!