Forget waiting until December. Christmas in July is the mid-year celebration Australians have fully claimed as their own, and it deserves a proper setup. Held on or around 25 July, it's the perfect excuse to bring out the Christmas tree, candles, and tinsel when the weather is actually cold enough to justify it.
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Basic Christmas in July Decorations for Indoor and Outdoor
Start with the foundations. These are the pieces that give the space that festive Christmas energy.
Christmas Tree (or a Fun Alternative)
A real or artificial tree is always a winner, but if you're short on space or want something more playful, a Christmas Tree Balloon Kit is a brilliant option. It creates the silhouette of a Christmas tree using colorful balloons — great for a feature wall, a corner of the room, or an outdoor entertaining space.
Hanging Decorations
The ceiling and walls are prime decorating real estate since they don’t take up any floor space. Pop-up hanging decorations make a beautiful statement and are easy to put up and pack down, which matters when you're not doing a long display.
A few Santa Claus honeycomb decorations hung near the entrance or above the dining table adds a festive touch to the mix.
Balloons
Balloons in red, green, white, and gold instantly read as Christmas without requiring much effort. Bunch them near the front door, tie them to chairs, or create a fun balloon arch with a combination of the colors.
Fairy Lights
These are a non-negotiable. Fairy lights warm up the space and add to the whimsical Christmas-in-July spirit when you're eating dinner in the dark. Drape them over the mantle, wind them through a garland, or run them along a fence line for outdoor settings.
Candles
Pillar candles and taper candles in all white create an ethereal atmosphere. Group them in clusters at different heights for a more layered look around the table, along the mantel, or even inside the fireplace.
Backdrops
A Christmas-themed backdrop is a perfect way to start a photo booth corner or to visually anchor the room. A plain wall with fairy lights and a few hanging decorations works just as well if you'd rather keep it simple.
Banners and Bunting
A "Merry Christmas" or "Christmas in July" banner is one of the easiest ways to shift the space into something intentionally festive. Run it across a mantle, above a doorway, or along a fence.
Stocking Stuffers
Hang stockings or set up a display rail in the party space and fill them with small treats like chocolates, lollies, and little trinkets. They double as decoration and a sweet surprise for guests.
Christmas in July Table Decorating Ideas
The table is often the heart of the party, so it's worth putting in a bit of extra thought. Luckily, our Christmas party supplies cover everything you need to set a proper festive table.
Colour Scheme
Classic Christmas colours — red, green, white, and gold — work because they're instantly recognisable. Pick two or three and stick with them consistently across your tableware and decorations. Red and gold is a rich, warm combination that suits a winter dinner. Green and white feels fresher and suits a more casual setup.
Napkins
Cloth napkins feel fancier than paper, but Christmas-coloured paper napkins are practical and look great tied with a ribbon. Either way, choose a colour that fits your party’s palette.
Plates
Themed Christmas plates in red or green add an easy pop of colour to the table. If you're going fully disposable for easy cleanup, match the plate colour to your scheme.
Cups
Match your cups to the plates or use clear cups and add a decorative straw or paper garnish. Warm drinks like mulled wine and hot chocolate should be served in paper cups while cold drinks are better in plastic, so make sure you have both.
Cutlery
Gold or silver cutlery — even the disposable metallic kind — ties the table together far better than plain white plastic. It's a small detail that makes the whole spread look a bit more elevated and intentional.
Table Centrepiece
A simple runner of greenery or tinsel garland down the length of the table is an easy, low-cost centrepiece. Add a few pillar candles at different heights and tuck in some baubles or pinecones to give it dimension. Alternatively, a simple floral arrangement in Christmas colours also does the job beautifully. Just make sure to keep the centrepieces low enough that guests can see each other across the table.
Bonus Tips to Set the Atmosphere
The decorations are just part of it. These extra touches take the party from a festive meal to a memorable event.
Party Favours
A small gift or lolly bag at each place setting is a lovely gesture and doubles as part of the table decoration. Fill small pouches with a few wrapped chocolates or wrap up a small but thoughtful gift that ties into the theme.
Music
A Christmas playlist running in the background truly completes the atmosphere. Mix classics with a few modern covers to keep it from feeling repetitive. Spotify and Apple Music both have great pre-made playlists, or curate your own.
Christmas Dishes
Lean into the season with the menu. A slow-cooked roast, a baked ham, roast vegetables, and a rich gravy all make sense in July in a way they don't in December's heat. It's the most wonderful time of year to cook hearty Christmas food.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Dress Code
Ugly Christmas sweaters are far easier to find than they used to be, and it immediately gets guests in the spirit. Add a prize for the best (or worst) one.
Kris Kringle Gift Exchange
Set a budget — usually $20 to $30 — and run a Kris Kringle on the night of the party. It adds an anticipatory element to the evening and means everyone leaves with something. Turn it into a game by following the White Elephant rules, where you can steal gifts from other players, to keep things entertaining.
DIY Photo Booth with Christmas Props
Set up a corner with a backdrop, fairy lights, and a basket of props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, tinsel boas, and a chalkboard sign. It will encourage guests to take photos that become keepsake memories that last forever.
Make It a Full Christmas in July Experience
A well-decorated space sets the mood, but the food is what people talk about on the way home. Once you've sorted your Christmas in July decorations with the ideas above, head to our Christmas baking supplies collection for everything you need to pull off a proper festive spread. For inspiration, our Christmas in July desserts blog has you covered with recipes for puddings, spiced cookies, and all the good things that taste better in the cold
FAQ: Christmas in July Decorating Ideas
How to decorate for Christmas in July?
Start with the basics: a tree or tree alternative, hanging decorations, fairy lights, and candles. Add a themed table setup with matching plates, cups, and napkins in red, green, white, or gold. Layer in smaller details like stockings, banners, and a centrepiece garland to pull the whole look together.
Where to buy Christmas decorations in July?
I Love This Shop stocks Christmas decorations year-round, including balloon kits, honeycomb hanging decorations, pop-up displays, and full tableware sets. Browse our Christmas party supplies collection for everything in one place.
How to decorate a Christmas in July table?
Pick two or three colours from a classic Christmas palette and keep it consistent across your plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery. Add a centrepiece garland or clusters of candles down the middle of the table and finish with a small party favour at each place setting for a complete look.