| Are you the type of person who can't wait until | | | | that's a word in the party planning world), yet light. |
| Christmas? Do the heat and humidity of the summer | | | | Instead of cooking a turkey on the day of your party, |
| months have you longing for a beautiful white | | | | consider cooking it the day before and serving cold |
| snowfall? Do songs about surfing, suits, and tans have | | | | slices with a cranberry, pear, and brie spread. You can |
| you longing for a Christmas carol or two? | | | | serve it with an assortment of breads and crackers. |
| If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, | | | | Ham is also very good cold. |
| then you're in luck because I'm going to be discussing | | | | If you're not in the mood for warm sweet potatoes, |
| Christmas in July. Holiday party planning doesn't only | | | | you can go with cold sweet potato salad; the recipe is |
| have to include the usual holidays at their usual time of | | | | on Martha Stewart's website, and it's delicious. You |
| the year. Part of the fun of a Christmas in July party is | | | | can consider replacing your mashed potatoes with |
| using your imagination to get into the spirit. | | | | vichysoisse (cold potato soup). |
| The first thing you need to do is invite friends that are | | | | As for the drinks, the egg nog is already cold, so you |
| willing to go along with your unusual holiday. Party | | | | don't need to replace it. You can substitute the mulled |
| planning is easiest if you have the right group of people | | | | wine with chilled wine or room temperature red wine. |
| at your party that will appreciate your ideas, no matter | | | | Your decorations don't need to be changed much at |
| how unconventional they may seem. Your motto for | | | | all. The tree is probably the only thing that will be a little |
| this party should be, "No Scrooges Allowed". In fact, | | | | hard to do, especially if you usually put up a live tree. If |
| put a sign that states that very motto on your front | | | | artificial is your tree of choice, then you can put it up if |
| door so all who enter know the terms of entry into the | | | | you want, but it's a lot of work for one party. Consider |
| party. | | | | replacing your traditional Christmas tree with a palm, or |
| Your menu can consist of the traditional Christmas | | | | any plant you have in your house. Throw some twinkle |
| favorites that everyone is familiar with, like turkey, ham, | | | | lights on it, and you're all set. |
| sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and | | | | You can also play whatever music you usually play |
| green bean casserole. You can also serve traditional | | | | around Christmas; it will get you and your guests in the |
| drinks, like egg nog (yes, you can still get it in most | | | | mood for your unusual holiday. Party planning involves |
| grocery stores in the summer months), spiced tea, | | | | getting people in the right frame of mind to enjoy the |
| mulled wine, and hot chocolate. | | | | event you've worked so hard to put together. Why |
| If it seems like July might be too hot for most of these | | | | not use every means necessary to ensure that a |
| foods, you can make dishes that are Christmasy (yes, | | | | good time is had by all? |