Christmas in July: Home Alone Edition — For Whom the Belle Tolls

Who says Christmas only comes once a year? We’ve been filling in during Santa’s off-season for five years now with our annual Christmas in July pool party, and trying to make each year a little bigger, better, and over the top. This year, we traded Clark Griswold and his hap-hap-happiest Christmas for booby traps, paint cans, and a battle plan to defend our house from being left “Home Alone!” We did our best to sprinkle movie references everywhere—from the food to the decorations, so our guests were constantly saying, “Wait…I remember that!”

Let’s face it: a party is only as good as the guest list. Here is our 2026 group photo of the BEST group!

Protected by McAllister Home Security, of course.

Would you still consider this a “welcome” mat?

“A lovely cheese pizza, just for me” and a *Home Alone*-themed tree in the background.

From pizza to Pepsi, turtle doves to tar, I filled this tree with every movie reference I could.

Bone-shaped cookies (because, “Buzz,your girlfriend: WOOF!”)

Our themed cocktails were the Wet Bandit (cranberry margarita) and the Aftershave Splash (fruity vodka lemonade). Do you guys give up, or are you thirsty for more?

We wanted to be sure everyone was familiar with the battle plan. Also, Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.

I’m eating junk and watching rubbish. You better come out and stop me.

In the immortal words of Kevin McAllister, “AHHHHHHH!”

Straight from Kevin’s Christmas party scene to our spa, a Michael Jordan cutout and working train set.

Yet another movie themed tree (can there be too many?

The Little Nero’s pizza delivery car. No fiddlin’ around!

And Marv and Harry, aka the Wet Bandits, with their van. Be on the lookout, Kevin!

If you need proof that great minds (and great friends) think alike, Jason and I did not discuss our costume choices beforehand. Crowbars up!

With Rhonda, Nancy, and our dog, Charlie (who may have thought the party was for him based on how much fun he had)

Melissa was hesitant about the hat, but I think it makes her outfit.

Who needs the Plaza Hotel when you have neighbors like these?

Patrick and Julie in their festive outfits were one of my favorite parts of the day—right up there with Zak and Lori telling everyone we were estranged cousins. The holidays bring people back together, y’all.

The Gym Gems sleighed it! And the husbands were good sports about it, too. Who needs a gym when you get your cardio laughing with this crew?

Afternoons like this with friends are the reason I keep dreaming up these crazy parties.

If you’ve known me or followed me for any length of time, you already know that I believe life is just more fun when you have something to celebrate. Whether it’s Christmas in July, Shark Week, or simply Thursday, its never really about the decorations or the food—its about gathering the people you love and creating memories that will keep you laughing long after the party is over. Thanks for being part of another adventure…and don’t worry: we are already making plans for our very own Home Alone party sequel next year!