Christmas in July has grown in popularity over the years, transforming a wintry holiday into a warm-weather celebration filled with cheer, nostalgia, and creative culinary fun. What began as a quirky excuse to break out holiday decorations during the off-season has evolved into a festive mid-year tradition for families, friends, and even businesses. From themed parties to community events, Christmas in July is a chance to enjoy the spirit of the holidays without the cold weather—or the stress.
Why Celebrate Christmas in July?
The roots of Christmas in July date back to the 1940s, when it was first mentioned in a girls’ summer camp in North Carolina. Over time, retailers began to adopt the idea as a marketing strategy, offering “Christmas in July” sales to boost summer profits. Today, the holiday has taken on a life of its own, especially in countries like the United States, Australia, and New Zealand—where July is actually winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
For many, it’s about enjoying the joy and togetherness of Christmas without the hustle and bustle. It’s also a great excuse to throw a party, watch holiday movies, or simply sip a frozen cocktail with a Santa hat on.
Festive Food Ideas for Christmas in July
The key to a great Christmas in July menu is combining classic holiday flavors with refreshing, summer-friendly dishes. Here are some creative food ideas to set the mood:
Appetizers & Snacks
Caprese Wreath Skewers: Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze, arranged like a wreath.
Watermelon “Christmas Tree” Slices: Cut watermelon into tree shapes and decorate with berries or a sprinkle of coconut for “snow.”
Summer Charcuterie Board: Add touches of holiday flair with red and green fruits, cheeses, crackers, and rosemary sprigs.
Main Dishes
Grilled Turkey Sliders: A nod to the traditional roast, these mini turkey burgers can be topped with cranberry mayo and served on soft buns.
Pineapple-Glazed Ham Kabobs: Sweet and smoky, these skewers offer all the flavor of holiday ham without heating up the oven.
Holiday BBQ Ribs: Add a festive twist to your barbecue ribs with a cherry or cranberry glaze.
Sides
Roasted Veggie Pasta Salad: A lighter, picnic-ready alternative to heavier casseroles, using red peppers, zucchini, and festive green herbs.
Christmas-Colored Coleslaw: Red cabbage, green bell pepper, and a creamy tangy dressing keep things cool and colorful.
Fruit Salad with Mint & Lime: Use red and green fruits like strawberries, watermelon, grapes, and kiwi for a refreshing and festive side.
Desserts
Frozen Hot Chocolate: A chilled version of the winter classic, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Christmas Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Bake your favorite holiday cookies and sandwich them with vanilla or peppermint ice cream.
Mini Pavlovas with Berries: A light, meringue-based treat topped with whipped cream and fresh red and green fruit.
Drinks
Cranberry Mojitos: Rum, cranberry juice, fresh mint, and lime for a merry summer cocktail.
Iced Eggnog Latte: A cool take on the classic, perfect for coffee lovers.
Sparkling “Snow Punch”: Lemon-lime soda, pineapple juice, and coconut milk with floating red cherries.
Embrace the Spirit—Whatever the Season
Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash, planning a poolside potluck, or simply looking for a reason to celebrate, Christmas in July offers a playful and heartwarming way to bring people together. With festive food, music, and laughter, it’s proof that the holiday spirit isn’t limited to December—it can shine just as bright under the summer sun.
Main Dish: Grilled Cranberry-Glazed Chicken with Herbed Couscous (Christmas in July Style)
This dish brings together the festive flavors of traditional Christmas dinner with the lightness and ease of a summer barbecue. Grilled chicken gets a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze, while a fluffy bed of herbed couscous adds a refreshing, warm-weather base. It’s vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for celebrating the holiday spirit—without the oven heat.
🐔 Grilled Cranberry-Glazed Chicken
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for more flavor)
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, and minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside half for basting and half for serving.
Season the chicken: Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Preheat grill to medium-high.
Grill the chicken: Grill chicken for about 6–8 minutes per side, basting with the cranberry glaze during the last few minutes of cooking, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Serve: Drizzle with remaining glaze and garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme for a holiday touch.
🍃 Herbed Couscous
Ingredients:
1 cup couscous
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp chopped fresh mint or basil
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook couscous: Bring broth to a boil. Stir in couscous and olive oil, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Add herbs: Stir in parsley, mint or basil, lemon zest, and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
🎄 Serve With:
A side of grilled asparagus or green beans Chilled cranberry sangria or sparkling water with citrus slices Optional: A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds over the chicken for an extra pop of red and texture
This festive, flavorful main dish is the perfect way to bridge holiday nostalgia with summer ease—and it looks beautiful on a picnic or patio table.
🎄 Christmas in July Fruit Salad
This vibrant fruit salad combines classic red and green holiday colors with fresh, juicy summer fruits—perfectly chilled for warm-weather gatherings. A light honey-lime dressing and optional coconut “snow” give it a festive touch that’s both fun and refreshing.
🍓 Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 cup watermelon, cubed or scooped with a melon baller
1 cup green grapes, halved
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced or cubed
1/2 cup red cherries, pitted and halved (or use pomegranate seeds for a crunchier option)
1/2 cup honeydew melon or green apple, cubed (for more green)
2 tablespoons shredded coconut (optional, for a snow-dusted effect)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
🍯 Honey-Lime Dressing:
2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
Juice of 1 lime
Zest of 1/2 lime
Whisk together until smooth.
🥗 Instructions:
Prep the fruit: Wash and cut all fruit into bite-sized pieces. Combine in a large serving bowl.
Add dressing: Drizzle honey-lime dressing over the fruit and gently toss to coat.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and keep it cool.
Garnish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle with shredded coconut and a few torn mint leaves for a festive look.
🌞 Tips for Extra Flair:
Use cookie cutters to shape melon into stars or trees. Serve in clear cups or a hollowed-out watermelon bowl for presentation. Add a splash of coconut water or sparkling citrus soda to turn it into a light fruit punch.
This Christmas in July fruit salad is bright, fresh, and merry—perfect for picnics, barbecues, or poolside parties with a holiday twist.
🎅 Christmas in July Frozen Peppermint Bark Parfaits
This dessert takes the nostalgic flavors of classic Christmas peppermint bark and transforms them into a cool, creamy treat perfect for summer. Layers of crushed cookies, peppermint-speckled whipped cream, and a hint of chocolate make these frozen parfaits fun, festive, and refreshing—no oven required!
🍨 Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the layers:
1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Optional: a few drops of red food coloring (for a swirl of color)
Toppings:
Whipped cream
Extra crushed peppermint Chocolate shavings or mini candy canes
Mint leaves (for a summery garnish)
❄️ Instructions:
Whip the cream: In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Fold in sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract. Gently mix until combined.
Add mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. If you want a festive swirl, gently fold in a drop or two of red food coloring—don’t overmix!
Assemble the parfaits: In clear cups or jars, layer crushed cookies and peppermint cream mixture, repeating once or twice until the container is full. End with the cream layer on top.
Freeze: Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm, like ice cream.
Serve: Before serving, let sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften slightly. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of peppermint, chocolate shavings, and a mint leaf.
🎄 Make-Ahead Tip:
These parfaits can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the freezer. Just add toppings right before serving.
This Christmas in July dessert is everything you want from a holiday treat—cool, creamy, minty, and merry—with a summer-friendly twist that’s perfect for parties, cookouts, or a family night under the stars.
Not Your Grams Kitchen 