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i, everyone!

This is one of the big Christmas in July® weeks - July 25th is on Monday and that means it's exactly 6 months to Christmas!  I can't tell you how much fun it is to walk into a winter wonderland at the “office” and then walk outside to a balmy summer day! 

Why not use this as a fun excuse to throw a Christmas in July party this weekend. A few summers ago, I was vacationing with my family at Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. I remember driving down this street…all of our windows were down…and out of nowhere, we heard Christmas music. We just had to see where it was coming from so we drove towards it and found a neighborhood Christmas block party. The neighbors had their lights out, music blaring, everyone was wearing red and green—it was awesome.

Besides music, lights, and ugly sweaters, I came up with a few more CIJ ideas you could try, whether indoors or out.

• Drink frozen hot chocolate—and I just so happen to have an amazing recipe on QVC.com. Have one neighbor make a batch of my frozen hot chocolate for everyone and have everyone bring a Christmas mug or martini glass. Then, let guests customize their drink with marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon, peppermint candies, or even leftover drink umbrellas from your wreath project.

• Play in the snow. In the hot summer weather, making snow sculptures and eating snow cones would be refreshing and fun. Use the snow cone maker to give you “snow” to decorate and play with. You could also have a snowball fight with those great indoor snowballs we have here at QVC.

• Decorate cookies. Christmas and cookies go hand-in-hand, so get out your cookie cutters—holiday or summery inspired—and make some of your favorite recipes. When the cookies are done, let everyone decorate them with store-bought frosting. I wouldn't recommend making your own butter cream frosting because it might get too melty if it’s really hot. Also stay away from chocolate chips...use candy-coated M&Ms and things like sugar sprinkles instead.

• Have a movie marathon. Whoever has the biggest garage door wins! Set up a projector and show It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story…all the best Christmas movies so everyone can watch. But, you’ll need to work out a schedule with the music, because you HAVE to play Christmas music. Maybe start the movies when the party starts to wind down.

That's all I can think of right now but I would love for you to share your Christmas in July party ideas with me!

From my home to yours,
—Jill