Celebrate Christmas in July: Easy Recipes, DIY Decor & Party Ideas
I truly love Christmas. From the baking to listening to our kids sing in their school Christmas programs to making or buying gifts for those I love most = the best!
However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become less excited about decorating my house as I have in past years. Why? Simply because of one reason = I totally dislike putting all of the decor away!
Suggested Read: How to Store Christmas Garland Properly | Easy & Tangle-Free Storage Tips
I’ve realized my favorite Christmas memories aren’t really about the decor—they’re about being in the kitchen with family, baking and laughing together. That’s why I love Christmas in July: it skips the snow and clean-up and lets us dive right into the best parts of the season (all while belting out Mariah Carey on repeat while we bake!)
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I’ve teamed up with some of my blogging friends to bring you a special Christmas in July edition packed with festive recipes and charming DIY decor ideas. If you’re ready to sprinkle a little holiday cheer into your summer, these are some of my favorite treats and projects to try!
Suggested Read: Christmas In July: Christmas Cookies
Easy Christmas in July Recipes
These recipes are simple, fun to make, and full of that cozy, nostalgic flavor we all crave – no snow, stress, or full-on holiday chaos required. Just pure, joyful moments to savor with the ones you love.
Christmas Cinnamon Star Bread Recipe
Eryn from Eryn Whalen Online shares her cinnamon star bread is both beautiful and comforting – just the kind of baked good that makes Christmas in July feel extra special and cozy.
Christmas Popcorn Balls
This recipe of mine brings back the magic of holiday treats without any fuss. These popcorn balls are the perfect sweet snack to whip up and enjoy with family while watching Christmas movies in July.
Candy Coated Pretzel Wreaths
I love this recipe for sweet and salty pretzel wreaths is as fun to make as it is to eat—a simple and festive way to add holiday cheer to your summer snack table.
Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
The warm spices of gingerbread mixed with creamy frosting are one of my most favorite recipes! These bars are my go-to when I want Christmas flavors without the winter chill.
Traditional German Fruit Cake
This rich, fruit-filled cake is a treasured hand-me-down recipe from my German grandma. It’s a special treat that’s just as delightful to enjoy during the summer months.
Not So Traditional Black Forest Christmas Cake
Barbara Sue from Kowalski Mountain shares her twist on a classic Black Forest cake brings decadent chocolate and cherry flavors that feel indulgent and festive—ideal for a Christmas in July celebration.
German Black Forest Cake
My daughter’s and my Black Forest cake is such a treat to make—especially swirling on that fluffy whipped icing and piling it high with cherries. It’s the perfect way to bring a little Christmas magic to July and makes any day feel like a celebration.
Homemade Snickers Bars
These homemade Snickers bars from Barbara Sue from Kowalski Mountain are a nostalgic favorite that satisfy that sweet tooth with layers of caramel, peanuts, and chocolate—perfect for summer holiday snacking.
Easy Homemade Toffee Recipe
This toffee recipe, handed down from Eryn’s grandma at Eryn Whalen Online, is wonderfully simple and so satisfying to make—filling your kitchen with buttery, sweet smells that bring the holidays right into summer.
Christmas in July Cookie Recipes
Whether you love rolling dough with your kids or sneaking a warm cookie for yourself, these Christmas in July cookie recipes bring all the cozy vibes without waiting for December.
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
This simple shortbread cookie recipe—one of my go-to favorites—is dipped in rich chocolate for an extra special treat. Crisp, buttery, and easy to make, these cookies add a touch of elegance to your holiday baking or everyday snack time.
The Best Old Fashioned Ginger Snaps
These old-fashioned ginger snaps from Barbara Sue from Kowalski Mountain are easy to make and impossible to resist.
The Ultimate Christmas Sugar Cookie
These delicious, buttery cookies from Eryn at Eryn Whalen Online are the perfect recipe for a fun-filled baking day!
Christmas In July Drink Recipes
Nothing says holiday spirit (even in July) like a fizzy punch or warm mug of spiced wassail. These are some of our favorites.
Christmas Morning Cocktail, non-alcoholic
If you’re looking for a festive drink everyone can enjoy, my non-alcoholic Christmas Morning Cocktail is super easy and perfect for adding a little holiday cheer!
New Year’s Eve Non-Alcoholic Mocktail
Planning a fun summer sleepover and want to stay up till midnight with the kids? My New Year’s Eve non-alcoholic mocktail is the perfect festive drink to enjoy together!
Traditional Mulled Wassail
Warm up your summer celebrations with this traditional mulled wassail! Packed with spiced citrus and apple flavors, it’s like a hug in a mug—perfect for bringing a taste of Christmas to July gatherings. Easy to make and wonderfully fragrant, your whole house will smell amazing.
Simple Holiday Non-Alcoholic Punch
Barbara Sue from Kowalski Mountain shares her festive, non-alcoholic Winter Holiday Punch—perfect for family gatherings and full of bright, delicious flavors.
Christmas In July DIY Decor Ideas
If you’re like me and the thought of hauling out bins of decor makes you sigh, try these simple, beautiful DIYs that bring holiday cheer without a storage headache.
But if you’re feeling extra merry, I’ve got some fun ideas for making your own peppermint foot scrub and wooden slice ornaments to really round out the cozy Christmas in July vibes!
Simmer Pot
Tessa from Sprig & Spoon shares a delightful DIY project for creating personalized simmer pot kits—easy, fragrant gifts that bring warmth and charm to your home any season of the year!
Easy Homemade Christmas Dried Orange Garland Tutorial
Eryn Whalen from Eryn Whalen Online shares a step-by-step guide to crafting beautiful dried orange garlands that look beautiful hanging from windows!
DIY Peppermint Foot Scrub
My three-ingredient peppermint foot scrub is perfect for a fun girls’ night in—especially while watching Hallmark Christmas movies!
DIY Wooden Slice Ornaments
A cozy girls’ night in, crafting DIY wooden slice ornaments, is the perfect way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories together.
Happy Christmas In July!
Whether you bake one of these treats, whip up a cozy drink, or just light a simmer pot and turn up the holiday tunes, I hope this little Christmas in July roundup brings some magic to your summer days. Thanks for spending a bit of your season with me!
Suggested Read: Christmas In July: Home Decor Ideas
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Stephanie—home cook, DIY addict, seasonal decor fanatic, and proud chicken wrangler living in a Victorian house that’s always a project. Whether I’m cooking with garden-fresh ingredients, herding mischievous chickens, or tackling another DIY, I’m here to share the fun (and chaos).
Great round up…I’m hungry for Christmas treats now!