Christmas in July is a fantastic way to break the monotony of summer with a touch of festive cheer. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the magic of Christmas without the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Here are some creative party ideas, fun activities, and festive snacks to make your Christmas in July celebration with your kids memorable.
Christmas in July Party Ideas
Snow-Inspired Party
Party Execution: Transform your backyard into a winter wonderland. Start by sending out invitations that match your theme, perhaps with snowflakes and winter scenes. Use white and blue decorations, cotton batting for snow, and snowflake cutouts to create a snowy ambiance. Set up a snow machine or use instant snow powder to add a touch of realism.
To enhance the snowy ambiance, set up a few winter-themed activities. A snowball toss game, where kids can throw “snowballs” made from white socks or cotton into targets, is fun. You can also have a snowman-building contest using the instant snow or white playdough. Consider renting or buying a snow machine to create artificial snow. Instant snow powder, which expands when you add water, is another excellent option for creating a snowy effect.
Christmas Pool Party
Party Execution: Combine the summer heat with Christmas cheer by hosting a Christmas-themed pool party. For the Christmas pool party, use red and green decorations around the pool area. Hang Christmas lights and garlands along the fence or pool deck. Set up an inflatable Santa Claus and reindeer floaties in the pool. Create a playlist of Christmas songs and play them during the party.
Organize pool games with a Christmas twist, like “Rudolph’s Relay” where kids race on pool noodles, or “Santa’s Sled Race” with kids on floaties. For snacks, serve festive treats like “North Pole” ice pops made from fruit juice and red and green jello cups. You can also have a snow cone station with red and green syrups.
Christmas Movie Marathon
Party Execution: Create an outdoor or indoor movie theater and screen classic Christmas movies. Set up an outdoor projector if possible, with a large screen or white sheet hung on a wall. If indoors, create a cozy movie theater feel with dimmed lights and lots of blankets and pillows. Prepare a selection of classic Christmas movies and schedule them in advance. You can even create a movie schedule poster for the kids to know which movies are playing and when.
Provide movie-themed snacks like popcorn with red and green M&M’s, candy canes, and hot cocoa with marshmallows. Set up a snack bar where kids can serve themselves. Movies like “Home Alone,” “Elf,” and “The Polar Express” are great choices that kids will love.
Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Party Execution: Set up a gingerbread house decorating station with pre-made gingerbread houses, icing, and an assortment of candies. Before the party, assemble the gingerbread houses so that they are ready for decorating. Provide a variety of candies, sprinkles, and icing in squeeze bottles for easy decorating. Set up tables with plenty of space for each child to work on their house. Cover the tables with plastic tablecloths for easy cleanup.
Encourage the kids to get creative with their designs, and provide small boxes for them to take their houses home. You can also give out awards for categories like “Most Creative,” “Best Use of Candy,” and “Most Festive.”
Christmas Craft Party
Party Execution: Organize a craft party where kids can make their own Christmas decorations. Prepare a craft station with all the necessary supplies. Provide instructions and examples for each craft. You can make Christmas ornaments with clear plastic baubles, fill them with glitter and small decorations, or decorate wooden ornaments with paint and stickers. Wreath-making is another fun activity. Provide foam wreath bases and a variety of decorations like ribbons, fake flowers, and small ornaments. Christmas card making is also popular; provide cardstock, markers, stickers, and stamps.
Ensure each child has a space to work and offer assistance as needed. Display their finished crafts around the house or yard to create a festive atmosphere.
