Merry Christmas (in July)!! Having spent quite a few Christmas’s past in the northern hemisphere including Canada, Scotland and the UK, winter in Melbourne does it’s best impersonation just without the snow but with more rain….and then some…
An annual Christmas in July event has become a little tradition of the past few years between our antipodean and homesick expat friends keen for a little taste of home. Through one way or another I have managed to gather a lovely group of well travelled friends strongly represented by the tri nations of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. We are also joined by the great nations of the UK and Northern Ireland from which Christmas in July usually takes it lead accompanied by secret santas, a Christmas dish or two and a suitably horrid themed outfit. I cant wait for the next round!
Truth be told now, these pic’s were actually taken at the real Christmas time in December last year but my blog was not yet in existence then so Ive been waiting for the Christmas in July opportunity to post them here for you.
I love throwing a themed dinner party and this past Christmas was no exception. The only brief for my guests was that they were to bring a dish that was either red, white or green or, a combination of these colours. Decide on a entree, main or dessert to share and wear something “Christmassy”.
Theming: I started off with the table centre piece which were bamboo skewers stuck into a pomegranate base, then threaded with fresh strawberries, marshmallows, raspberries, green/red frogs and green lolly leaves. Around the base, were apples, strawberry creams, fresh red chilli’s and red lindt balls. Photo by Jacinta Young
All guests received an arrival gift of home made rocky road and a mint mojito courtesy of our own personal bar man (a.k.a the other half). Photo by Jacinta Young
Starters: Spicy fresh tomato and capsicum gazpacho courtesy of my bestie who was fresh off the boat from Argentina in December
Starters: Dolmades and mini cheese stuffed peppers
Party favour moustache! Table decorations including bowls of red jaffa’s and spearmint leaves
Mains: Mini chicken parmigiana’s
Mains: Chilli and coriander garlic prawns
Dessert: A raspberry love heart shaped jelly with cream
Dessert: Dark chocolate, loganberry and vanilla coconut ice cream terrine – sooo good!
Dessert: Pink and green cupcakes
We are well and truly stuffed!!
I will be posting some of these lovely dishes here over the next coming weeks so keep an eye out.
In the meantime, I hope this post gives you a few ideas for hosting your own Christmas in July get together – I’d love to hear about your party – please comment below, drop me an email or pop over for a chat on twitter or facebook
Happy Eating (and I hope Santa is good to you!)
Gillian
xo
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I have never celebrated Christmas in July, but it looks like a lot of fun! Lovely pictures. I especially like the mini cheese stuffed peppers and the fruits skewers.
Thanks so much! We also had a barman serving mojito’s – we ate so much we shall be full until the real one in December!
I can attest, it was a magnificent feast! There is no way to pick a favourite dish, but I must say, the marvelous jelly did reignite a long-forgotten love of the wibbly wobbly dessert. A much underrated pud & one now firmly back on the menu in my house.
A brilliant evening & lovely post, thanks Gill xx
hmmm love the mini chicken parmas, what a great idea 🙂
love your site!
Aww – Thanks!! Lovely to meet you too!