Not every Christmas is cold. In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, and many other places, Christmas falls in the middle of summer. Families head to the beach, fire up the barbecue, play cricket on the sand and eat pavlova in the sunshine. This landscape 7 x 5 inch invitation celebrates summer Christmas with a bright blue sky, a golden sun, layered sea and sand bands, a green palm tree wearing a Santa hat, and cheerful Pacifico lettering announcing a Christmas Beach BBQ.
Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere
For people living south of the equator, December means long days, school holidays and hot weather. Many traditions have adapted to the season: Christmas lunch might be prawns, cold ham, salads and pavlova instead of roast turkey; families spend Christmas afternoon at the beach or in the backyard pool; and carols are sung outdoors in the warm evening. A summer Christmas invitation should feel sunny and relaxed, which is exactly what this design does.
Sun, Sea and a Palm in a Santa Hat
The top two-thirds of the card are a clear sky blue, with a golden sun and a soft halo on the right. Below, a band of deeper sea blue with a gently wavy top edge stretches across the card, and a band of pale golden sand with its own wavy edge sits beneath it. On the left, a green palm tree with curving fronds rises from the sand, wearing a red Santa hat on its crown. On the right, Merry Christmas from Down Under! introduces Christmas in red Pacifico and BEACH BBQ in white spaced capitals, followed by the date and venue. Along the sand, an italic line promises prawns on the barbie, pavlova and a cricket match, and a red line lists what to bring and the RSVP.
Planning a Christmas Beach BBQ
A beach barbecue on Christmas Day needs a little planning. Check local rules: many beaches allow portable barbecues in designated areas, while others have public barbecue facilities that must be booked or arrive early to claim. Arrive early to secure a shady spot, and bring a gazebo or beach umbrellas. Pack plenty of water and ice in eskies or coolers. Plan easy food that cooks quickly: prawns, sausages, burgers, marinated chicken and vegetable skewers, with salads, bread rolls and fruit. Pavlova, trifle or a fruit platter make a refreshing dessert.
Sun Safety on Christmas Day
Summer sun can be intense, especially in Australia. The invitation reminds guests to bring a towel, sunscreen and a Santa hat, and sun safety deserves a mention. Encourage guests to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses. Choose a beach patrolled by lifeguards, swim between the flags, and keep a close eye on children in the water. Drink plenty of water, especially if alcohol is served.
Beach Games and Fun
A game of beach cricket is practically a Christmas tradition in Australia. Other ideas include beach volleyball, frisbee, a sandcastle competition, a Santa hat swim, or a festive treasure hunt in the sand for children. A portable speaker playing Christmas songs adds to the festive mood.
Editing the Summer Invitation
Click each line to change it. The sample reads Friday, December 25, 12 noon, Bondi Pavilion lawn, Sydney, with an RSVP to Lachie. Change the italic line to your own menu or activity, and update the RSVP line with your contact. The palm tree and Santa hat are editable vectors; recolour or move them. The sky, sea, and sand bands are simple shapes you can adjust, for example, making the sky a sunset orange for an evening barbecue.
Backyard and Poolside Versions
If the beach is not practical, the same design works for a backyard or poolside Christmas barbecue. Change BEACH BBQ to POOLSIDE BBQ or BACKYARD BBQ, and the venue to your home address. Set up a shaded area, a paddling pool or sprinkler for children, and a water bucket of ice drinks.
Food Ideas for a Summer Christmas
Summer Christmas food is light and fresh: seafood platters, cold glazed ham, roast chicken served cold, potato and pasta salads, watermelon, mangoes and cherries. Desserts include pavlova topped with berries and passionfruit, frozen Christmas pudding, ice cream and fruit trifle. Serve drinks such as sparkling water, iced tea, cold beer, and a Christmas punch with plenty of ice.
Printing the Beach Invitation
Download a PDF and print at 7 x 5 inches with full bleed. The bright colours print well on most printers. A glossy finish makes the sky and sea look vivid. Send printed invitations early, as Christmas Day plans are often made weeks ahead.
Sending It by Text and Social Media
Download a JPG and share it in family and friends’ group chats. Add a map pin of the exact meeting spot on the beach, which helps guests find you among the crowds.
Summer Christmas Questions
Can I use it for a New Year’s Day barbecue?
Yes. Change the greeting and date, and keep the beach scene.
Can I change Down Under to my country?
Yes. Click the greeting line and type, for example, Merry Christmas from Cape Town.
Is the palm tree a single object?
Yes. It is an editable vector; recolour it from its swatches.
Packing List for the Beach
A beach barbecue runs smoothly when the gear is ready. Pack the portable barbecue or check the public one is working, tongs and utensils, plates and cutlery, rubbish bags, eskies with ice, plenty of drinking water, a gazebo or umbrellas, towels and beach chairs, sunscreen, hats, a first aid kit, a cricket set and a speaker. Assign items to different guests in your group chat so nobody forgets the essentials, and bring a few Santa hats for photos.
Finally, leave the beach as you found it, taking all rubbish home.
Celebrate Christmas in the Sunshine
Fill in your beach details, pack the esky and send the invitation. A sunny Christmas with friends, prawns and a game of cricket is a celebration to remember.
