Who says you have to wait until December to enjoy a little festive cheer? Not us!

Get ready to deck the halls (or bar!) this summer with our “Christmas in July” party ideas, perfect for corporate teams looking to shake off the heat with some cool, yuletide fun.

The dog days of summer can sometimes feel like they drag on forever. Celebrating Christmas halfway through the year is the perfect way to boost morale and get everyone’s minds off work. Keep scrolling for some bright and merry Christmas in July ideas to get your team in the holiday spirit this summer!

1. Create a Custom Christmas Menu With a Summer Twist

Celebrating Christmas in December is synonymous with cozy drinks and treats that make you warm inside, like mulled wine or hot apple cider. For your Christmas in July party, turn this idea on its head and reimagine traditional hot drinks as cold.

Work with your event venue team to curate the perfect drink menu for your social. Here are some great Christmas in July ideas with summer flavours to get you started:

• Chilled mulled wine (sangria, anyone?)
• Apple cider cocktails on ice
• Frozen hot chocolate
• Sugar cookies as party favours!

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2. Summer Clothes With a Christmas Twist

Another great Christmas in July idea is to enforce a festive dress code for your summer work social. Get your team in Christmas-inspired summer outfits that will allow them to beat the heat while still channelling the holiday season. Ugly sweaters with flip-flops, bikinis with Uggs, gingerbread accessories with khakis—the list goes on!

You can even turn it into a contest and award a prize (say, a gift card to one of the top restaurants in Toronto?) to the person with the most clever or spirited Christmas-meets-summer ensemble! 

3. Deck the Halls (…But Make it Summer!)

No Christmas in July party would be complete without decking out your venue in holiday decor galore. But since it’s the middle of summer, you’ll want Christmas in July decoration ideas with a warm-weather twist.

Think: a Christmas tree decked out in seashells, starfish, sand dollars, and other beach-inspired trinkets and Christmas lights strung throughout the venue. The goal is to make your event photos just as festive as your employees’ outfits!

4. Silent Screening of Your Fav Christmas Movies

Book your event at a venue that has a projector and screen some favourite festive movies in the background of the celebrations. The volume doesn’t need to be on so it doesn’t take everyone’s attention off the party, but classics like “Home Alone” or “Elf” will definitely get guests talking!

5. Prepare a Christmas Music Playlist

You can’t celebrate Christmas in July without the appropriate tunes! You can either curate the perfect summer Christmas playlist to get your party going or hire a DJ to do the mixing for you.

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6. Better Yet, Get a Live Band

If playlists aren’t your thing, hire live entertainment to bring truly authentic island-inspired Christmas vibes. We recommend hiring an acoustic band if you’re looking for a chill summer social with max mingling.

Live musicians make for a built-in focal point of entertainment at your office party. Guests can gather around, sing along, and dance to the joyful sounds of Christmas music in July!

🌴 Event planning tip: If you’re having a hard time sourcing musicians for your Christmas in July party, work with your event venue to see if they can help. Some venues have connections with local acts and can assist in booking appropriate entertainment that fits your party’s vibe and theme!

7. “Summer Santa” Gift Exchange

One of the top Christmas in July ideas we recommend is organizing a mid-year Secret Santa gift exchange. What kind of Christmas in July celebration would it be without one?

Whether you choose to go with the classic “White Elephant” game or draw names ahead of time, it’s a great way to build camaraderie and add an element of surprise to the event that’s sure to keep up the holiday spirit!

Image Source: @pettycashto | Instagram

Host an Epic Christmas in July Party at Petty Cash!

The holiday season isn’t the only time to relax, unwind and have fun with your coworkers. A Christmas in July party is the perfect excuse to take a break from the daily grind and beat the summer heat with an incredibly festive bash!

Petty Cash’s unique event space in Toronto provides the ideal setting to execute all these awesome Christmas in July ideas and more! Our 360 bar and open space offer a blank canvas to transform into your own winter wonderland oasis, no matter how sweltering it is outside.

So rally the troops and get ready for an unforgettable summer celebration that’s overflowing with crazy holiday cheer. Book your office Christmas in July party at Petty Cash today!