24/07/2025
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ? ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฌ .. ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง!
Why wait until December to break out the fairy lights and festive cheer? Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to gather your mates, shake off the mid-winter slump and host a night thatโs equal parts cosy, cheeky and unforgettably fun. This is your chance to give tradition a bit of a twist - an opportunity to experience a winter-y Christmas for us South Africans, with a touch of kitsch and a lot of flavour.
Hereโs how to plan the ultimate Christmas in July soirรฉe, without overthinking it.
๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ - Create a warm, eclectic space that mixes festive kitsch with mid-winter comfort. Layer up fairy lights and baubles but swap the traditional tree for a houseplant wrapped in tinsel or an inflatable flamingo with antlers. Candles, scattered throw blankets and upbeat festive playlists seal the vibe. Donโt be afraid to go full Mariah. Itโs Christmas, just... not when you'd expect it.
๐๐ข๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฅ - One of the easiest ways to elevate your gathering is with a themed drink. Creamy liqueurs, spiced spirits, and playful garnishes work beautifully in winter, even for chilled cocktails. Shankyโs Whip, a deliciously smooth Irish whiskey liqueur, is first and foremost a delectable treat on its own โ best served as a chilled shot to get the festivities going. Once everyoneโs in the spirit, you can level things up with an energising cocktail for the occasion, a Shankyโs Whip Espresso Martini:
๐๐จ๐ฎโ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐๐: 60 ml Shankyโs Whip, 30 ml vodka, 30 ml espresso and 3 coffee beans
To make, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the Shankyโs Whip, vodka and espresso to the cocktail shaker, shake vigorously until all ingredients are well mixed and thoroughly chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with the three coffee beans and โฆ cheers!
๐๐จ๐ฐ-๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ, ๐ก๐ข๐ ๐ก-๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ง๐๐๐ค๐ฌ - You donโt need a full roast for this kind of Christmas. Finger foods and elevated snacks will do the trick.Think pigs in blankets, brie and cranberry puff pastry bites, or mini roast potato skewers with rosemary and aioli. Include a couple of sweet treats โฆ gingerbread men with iced sunnies, chocolate truffles rolled in coconut snow, or even boozy hot chocolate shots (did someone say more Shankyโs Whip liqueur?). If you're feeling adventurous, set up a DIY dessert station โฆ melted chocolate, marshmallows and biscuits for build-your-own sโmores.
๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐ค๐ฒ - Go all in. Host a Secret Santa with an affordable limit. What about a Christmas movie drinking game (anything starring Hugh Grant or involving talking reindeer is fair game). You could throw in a festive karaoke round after dessert. Cue Last Christmas on repeat!
Christmas in July is all about making your own rules. You can skip the family politics and gift stress and focus on what actually makes the season great โ great food, good music, strong drinks and your favourite people. Whether you go full elf mode or just want an excuse to shake up your winter weekend plans, nowโs the time.
And a gift from us โฆ weโre giving away a bottle of Shankyโs Whip and a brilliant themed Christmas jumper โฆ tag a friend in the comments section below, follow us, and youโll be in the draw. Entries close July 25, and winners will be drawn from all Get It platforms.
Shanky's Whip SA
