Looking to celebrate Christmas this July? Why not! Check out some of our favourite ways of celebrating during the jolly off-season (including some seriously delicious recipes!)
Baby It’s Cold Outside
At Christmas time in Australia, we are more likely to be found on the beach with a bucket of fresh prawns and an esky full of cold drinks rather that huddled around a log fire sipping on mulled wine enjoying a fresh batch of mince pies.
So during the colder months of the year, many celebrate Christmas in July, also known as Yuletide or Yulefest which allows those in the Southern Hemisphere to enjoy traditions of the festive season during the coolness of a winter climate. Far more enjoyable than sweating out the celebrations over a roast dinner in December. Read on to find out more about our favourite Christmas in July traditions and recipes.
Traditional Winter Event
Who doesn’t love a party! Find a date throughout July, send out the invites to your nearest and dearest requesting their attendance at your traditional Christmas dinner event. Be sure to let your guests know the theme and even ask them to dress in Christmas colours or ugly Christmas sweaters – have fun with it! Get the Christmas decorations out and create a Christmas in July themed table setting that they won’t forget.
Winter Weekend Away
Better still, make a weekend of it! There are many short term rental properties available so you can enjoy a whole weekend celebrating together. A house in a country setting with an open fire would be the perfect winter getaway. Many destinations embrace the Christmas in July spirit, offering Christmas inspired markets, Winter Wonderland iceskating and other themed entertainment. It can really add that special element to the weekend and at the same time you’ll be supporting local community. A getaway is the perfect opportunity to enjoy quality family and friends time and have plenty of festive fun too. Include activities such as Christmas charades and trivia, movie marathons with the kids and how about cranking up the Christmas playlist for a singalong – all are sure to stir up Christmas childhood memories and lift spirits during the coldest time of the year.
Festive Feasting
Celebrating Christmas in July provides an opportunity to savour traditional Christmas foods such as hot roast meats and vegetables, cranberry sauce and stuffing, steamed fruit puddings and mince pies all of which are perfect for the cold winter months. While it’s probably best to schedule your fasting days around your event or weekend away, in order to relax and enjoy delicious festive treats without feeling worried about derailing your fasting plan, we do have some lower calorie recipes in our library that will fit perfectly into your Christmas in July menu.
Often nibbles are served with drinks before the main course, it’s tricky to navigate cheese boards and calorie laden dips and while we want you to enjoy we do suggest you try these tasty options as an alternative. You won’t regret it!
- Sweet roasted carrot hummus
- Oven roasted beetroot hummus
- Edamame hummus
- Green pea mint dip
- Dehydrated vegetable chips
Take this opportunity of the cooler weather to serve a soup for entree. Its a lovely alternative and a great way to keep the calories down while still truely satisfying your guests. Here are a few of our favourites.
- Spicy mediterranean seafood soup
- Creamy roasted garlic and kale soup with cauliflower
- Broccoli soup with crispy chickpeas
- Minestrone soup
However, if like us you love a salad regardless of the climate our Mango, Avocado and Prawn Salad is a winner and a perfect compliment to this Christmas menu.
With the main event to follow be sure to accompany your roasted meats with plenty of colourful vegetables as side dishes, not only will these add variety to your menu they will look amazing on your decorated table. Our favourite roasted meats and sides for you to choose from include.
- Stuffed chicken thigh in prosciutto
- Grilled chicken with pan roasted vegetables
- Rosemary lamb cutlets with roasted vegetables
- Roasted pork sirloin steak with ratatouille
- Oven roasted capsicums with chickpeas and couscous
- Roasted cauliflower spiced yoghurt
- Maple mustard brussel sprouts
Dessert is always a favourite! And we have many sweet treats within our library however we think that the following will certainly work some Christmas magic for you.
- Chocolate avocado mousse
- Chocolate dipped fresh figs with hazelnut crumb
- Chocolate dipped strawberries with pistachio crumbs
Traditionally Christmas in July is the 25th or the weekend closest to that but if that date doesn’t suit you, it really doesn’t matter when you celebrate as the most important aspect is to get your Christmas cheer on and simply have fun!