Why wait until December to break out the fairy lights and festive cheer? Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to gather your mates, shake off the mid-winter slump and host a night that’s equal parts cosy, cheeky and unforgettably fun. This is your chance to give tradition a bit of a twist – an opportunity to experience a winter-y Christmas for us South Africans, with a touch of kitsch and a lot of flavour.
Here’s how to plan the ultimate Christmas in July soirée, without overthinking it:
Putting together the event ambience
Create a warm, eclectic space that mixes festive kitsch with mid-winter comfort. Layer up fairy lights and baubles but swap the traditional tree for a houseplant wrapped in tinsel or an inflatable flamingo with antlers. Candles, scattered throw blankets and upbeat festive playlists seal the vibe. Don’t be afraid to go full Mariah. It’s Christmas, just… not when you’d expect it.
Mix up a signature cocktail
One of the easiest ways to elevate your gathering is with a themed drink. Creamy liqueurs, spiced spirits, and playful garnishes work beautifully in winter, even for chilled cocktails. Shanky’s Whip, a deliciously smooth Irish whiskey liqueur, is first and foremost a delectable treat on its own — best served as a chilled shot to get the festivities going. Once everyone’s in the spirit, you can level things up with an energising cocktail for the occasion, a Shanky’s Whip Espresso Martini:
Ingredients
- 60 ml. Shanky’s Whip
- 30 ml. vodka
- 30 ml. espresso
- 3 coffee beans
Method
● Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
● Add the Shanky’s Whip, vodka of your choice and espresso to the cocktail shaker
● Shake vigorously until all ingredients are well mixed and thoroughly chilled
● Strain into a chilled martini glass.
● Garnish with 3 coffee beans and enjoy
Low-effort, high-reward snacks
You don’t need a full roast for this kind of Christmas. Finger foods and elevated snacks will do the trick. Why not even make it a potluck competition, and have your friends each bring a dish for the group to rate? Think pigs in blankets but with a spicy twist, brie and cranberry puff pastry bites, or mini roast potato skewers with rosemary and aioli. Include a couple of sweet treats: gingerbread men with iced sunnys, chocolate truffles rolled in coconut “snow”, or even boozy hot chocolate shots (did someone say more Shanky’s Whip liqueur?).
If you’re feeling adventurous, set up a DIY dessert station: melted chocolate, marshmallows and biscuits for build-your-own s’mores.
Embrace the quirky
Go all in. Host a “Secret Santa” with a R100-R150 limit and queue up a Christmas movie drinking game. Anything starring Hugh Grant or involving talking reindeer is fair game. You could even throw in a festive karaoke round after dessert. Cue Last Christmas on repeat!
For bonus points, create a DIY photo corner with festive props and a makeshift snow machine with a bubble machine or dry ice, if you’re feeling extra.
Christmas in July is all about making your own rules. You can skip the family politics and gift stress and focus on what actually makes the season great — great food, good music, strong drinks and your favourite people. Whether you go full elf mode or just want an excuse to shake up your winter weekend plans, now’s the time.
