How to Host a Christmas Party in July

Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo Ball had an "Arctic Blast" theme—but took place in the summertime.

Jenny Berg
August 5, 2015

Many brands host "Christmas in July" theme events to promote summertime sales or showcase offerings for the upcoming holiday season. The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago fitted its annual gala with a similar theme this year and hosted "Zoo Ball: Arctic Blast" on July 10. Held on the institution's grounds, the black-tie event raised more than $1.1 million and drew 850 guests. The frosty theme showed up in everything from ice-blue pillows in the lounge area and flower arrangements that looked like snowballs to an eight-foot-tall polar bear and desserts dipped in blue rock-crystal sugar. Here's a peek at how planners gave an icy look to an alfresco event in July.

Ice sculptures also decked the bar, where the specialty cocktail was named the 'Aurora Borealis.' The summery drink contained tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda.
Ice sculptures also decked the bar, where the specialty cocktail was named the "Aurora Borealis." The summery drink contained tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda.
Photo: Violet Dominek
During cocktail hour, guests took plates filled with Jewell Events Catering's hors d'oeurves—which included burrata-stuffed savory cones and crab claws—to lounge areas from HMR Designs. 'All the decor was carefully designed around the 'Arctic Blast' theme,' said John Hensel, who co-designed the event with Burt Rubenstein. 'Lounges in the auction tent were comprised of contemporary white sofas and ottomans with icy blue pillows.' There were also vases shaped like icebergs filled with snowball-like arrangements of white gypsophila and illuminated with blue light.
During cocktail hour, guests took plates filled with Jewell Events Catering's hors d'oeurves—which included burrata-stuffed savory cones and crab claws—to lounge areas from HMR Designs. "All the decor was carefully designed around the 'Arctic Blast' theme," said John Hensel, who co-designed the event with Burt Rubenstein. "Lounges in the auction tent were comprised of contemporary white sofas and ottomans with icy blue pillows." There were also vases shaped like icebergs filled with snowball-like arrangements of white gypsophila and illuminated with blue light.
Photo: Alain Milotti
The silent-auction tables, which held prizes such as a reservation at Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar in New York, were internally illuminated with blue lights.
The silent-auction tables, which held prizes such as a reservation at Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar in New York, were internally illuminated with blue lights.
Photo: Alain Milotti
Nadeau's Ice Sculptures created an eight-foot-tall polar bear for the occasion.
Nadeau's Ice Sculptures created an eight-foot-tall polar bear for the occasion.
Photo: Violet Dominek
'The dinner tables were dressed in a combination of white textured linens and silver birch linens to provide a polar-landscape-inspired foundation,' Hensel said. Tabletop decor also included hand-carved 'icebergs,' iced-glass hurricanes, aluminum vases, and tall iced-glass cylinders. Hall's Rentals provided ice-blue wine glasses, and a box of Altoids at each place setting made for a thematic gift.
"The dinner tables were dressed in a combination of white textured linens and silver birch linens to provide a polar-landscape-inspired foundation," Hensel said. Tabletop decor also included hand-carved "icebergs," iced-glass hurricanes, aluminum vases, and tall iced-glass cylinders. Hall's Rentals provided ice-blue wine glasses, and a box of Altoids at each place setting made for a thematic gift.
Photo: Alain Milotti
The three-course dinner included a crab salad pillar and pepper-crusted filet of beef tenderloin. Dessert (pictured) was the 'Arctic Blueberry Blast.' The pastry was made with lemon mousse, granola crust, blueberries, passion fruit sauce, and champagne gelée.
The three-course dinner included a crab salad pillar and pepper-crusted filet of beef tenderloin. Dessert (pictured) was the "Arctic Blueberry Blast." The pastry was made with lemon mousse, granola crust, blueberries, passion fruit sauce, and champagne gelée.
Photo: Alain Milotti
Passed desserts included assorted macarons, mini chocolate chip cookies, and chocolates dipped in blue rock-candy sugar called 'Ice Truffles.'
Passed desserts included assorted macarons, mini chocolate chip cookies, and chocolates dipped in blue rock-candy sugar called "Ice Truffles."
Photo: Alain Milotti
After dinner, guests danced to live music from the band Dr. Bombay. Frost created borealis-inspired washes of patterned lights, which 'provided an arctic evening sky effect,' Hensel said. HMR provided 'sputnik' chandeliers, which resembled giant silver snowflakes.
After dinner, guests danced to live music from the band Dr. Bombay. Frost created borealis-inspired washes of patterned lights, which "provided an arctic evening sky effect," Hensel said. HMR provided "sputnik" chandeliers, which resembled giant silver snowflakes.
Photo: Alain Milotti
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