Christmas in July/August to cheer us up?

[ritzbiscuits]

Is anyone thinking of doing a Christmas in July this year? (I know this is an Aussie tradition)

It just popped in my head as something fun to do with my immediate family to cheer us up given everything going on!

• Roast Dinner and Christmas pudding (we already have one in)
• A surprise present or two
• Movie and snacks
• Party games

What do you think?

It's not for me, but if you and your family would enjoy it then you should go ahead. For me, I think Christmas is special because it's only one a year.

No. Christmas is special because it happens once a year, at the end of the year.

So is it a Christmas Meal but when it is Winter in Australia ?

The idea of eating a full Christmas Dinner in hot weather is an abomination to mine eyes
My DSis lives in New Zealand , she goes to the beach on Boxing Day and they camp out . ( Noooo my senses scream)

I will watch QVC Christmas in July ( its on the 24th this year so I won't be at work)
We do a roast dinner most Sundays ( DD ,DH and I are vefetarian , DS isn't ) , I could divert that to the Friday though

Christmas in July is a thing here because
A) so many people have a seafood or bbq Christmas that they like the turkey etc when it’s dark and cold

B) Christmas itself is usually taken up with family stuff which takes time etc. Christmas in July is purely social with the people who you really like spending time with.

If you are in the uk, perhaps have an Aussie Christmas with seafood, salad, pav and ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with giving it a go.

What's the point in Christmas if you celebrate it twice a year - ridiculous idea if you ask me and just another way of dumbing down/devaluing it

You have BIRTHDAYS to have an extra day for celebrations and presents

I was just thinking this morning that I fancied a proper Christmas dinner (although chicken, not turkey), Brussels, bread sauce, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, sausages, roast parsnips and roast potatoes. Yum!! I don’t like Christmas pudding, so maybe sherry trifle or mince pies and cream for pudding?

I think it’s a great idea. Looks like we are the minority though

I don't see any problem with this if it's what you want to do. I like the idea of a little extra celebration but don't think it'll be much like Christmas without the build up and festivity. Would you put a tree up?

Oh, yes. The tree and decorations must be up. Table dressed. Music on. Secret Santa gifts to a maximum price of $10-20 or so. It must be fun.

My mum does something similar, but not every year. I don't actually know what makes her decide to do it, and it's not always in July but a few times in the last few years we've turned up for a Sunday roast and found the Christmas table cloth, plates and glasses out, either a small table top tree or some fairy lights up and a feast being prepared (it's mostly a normal roast but with extras she only does at Christmas like sausage meat stuffing and pigs in blankets).
She has added some crackers and given small gifts (like a big bar of chocolate or a cheap-ish pair or earrings) sometimes too.

I think it's when she's missed us or someone is having a rough time but I think it's nice. DHs head would explode if I tried to do it but he goes with it when my mum does it

@CrazyBaubles such a lovely idea to do it randomly. And doing it as a surprise means that no one can object ahead of time

I’m loving the hardcore Christians gnashing their teeth at the two Christmases 😂 Have at it Op, you will need to have some form of decorations though ofc. Make the brandy sauce from scratch too 👌

As an aside, what does bread sauce taste like? I’ve always been curious but slightly wary.

I'm watching Christmas films now and working on my lists. That's enough for me but bloody enjoy it!!

@Clevererthanyou bread sauce is amazing. You can’t really describe it but it’s definitely worth a taste if you’ve never had it.

Why not?? Have one this summer and another at Christmas as well. One thing this pandemic should teach us is to do what makes you happy today if you can.

@Clevererthanyou, it's not the taste that gets me, it's the texture! 🤮🤮

Come on now Fluffy tell me about the texture! Fcuk you’re selling it to me, I just wish it tasted akin to something so it could be described lok

It's just a bit vomit-like really! I'm not a fan of thick, but runny, combined with chewy. It's not just bread sauce, it's the texture in general. I don't like tinned rice pudding or runny porridge either, for example. 😂😂

@CrazyBaubles

My mum does something similar, but not every year. I don't actually know what makes her decide to do it, and it's not always in July but a few times in the last few years we've turned up for a Sunday roast and found the Christmas table cloth, plates and glasses out, either a small table top tree or some fairy lights up and a feast being prepared (it's mostly a normal roast but with extras she only does at Christmas like sausage meat stuffing and pigs in blankets). She has added some crackers and given small gifts (like a big bar of chocolate or a cheap-ish pair or earrings) sometimes too.

I think it's when she's missed us or someone is having a rough time but I think it's nice. DHs head would explode if I tried to do it but he goes with it when my mum does it

Aw, your mum sounds lovely 🥰🥰

I'm glad you like the way my mum does it. I've told a few people IRL and they all think she's nuts as we're not children anymore (both me and dsis are in our 30s) but I really enjoy it.
It's not OTT, she's doesn't get the tree out or try and make us sing carols, it's just a lovely surprise.
She did it March one year because she found a bag of Christmas presents she'd lost in December so the gifts were a bit much at that one but that's just her, no way was she going to wait to hand them over or do it without a bit of fuss!

This year, we are due to be travelling on holidays on 25th, so a nice dinner for our arrival could be good. Maybe turkey burgers on the BBQ and pretend we are having an Aussie Christmas!! I know there is a BBQ in the house we're going to....hmmm......