Mulled wine, fire-tongs-punch and a Christmas inspired meal awaited guests that joined us for the annual Christmas in July dinner.
It's beginning to look a lot like christmas... in the midst of July.
That is, at least when you were one of the nearly 60 guests that attended last night’s Christmas in July at the Shangri-La in the Rocks. Greeted with Glühwein (mulled wine) on arrival, guests immediately felt the Christmassy atmosphere that the Heritage Plaza radiated through its decorations, a Christmas tree, and Christmas music. After some time mingling with the other attendees, guests were invited to make their way into the beautifully decorated Heritage Room. The Chamber’s Executive Director Alexandra Voss opened the evening by welcoming all guests, and thanking the participating partners of the evening Supporting Partner Dr. Oetker, and In-kind Partners Gewürhaus and Villeroy & Boch, before handing over the microphone to Lars Mehlan, Director – Events & Marketing.
Lars announced that, in the attempt to keep Christmas in July different every year, a new addition was made to the event – Christmas Trivia! With each table forming a team, they had the chance to compete over the course of three rounds to have the chance of each team member winning a $20 gift voucher for Gewürzhaus, kindly sponsored by the very same. The rounds were played during the traditional German-inspired Christmas three-course meal and with every round the competitive nature of the attendees emerged.
The trivia, however, remained not the only chance to win a prize that evening. Supporting Partner Dr. Oetker and In-kind Partner Villeroy & Boch each sponsored a prize for a raffle. During the main course, a Santa-bag filled with little gifts was passed around with one present for each attendee. Later that evening they were asked to open their gifts. Alongside a sweet treat, Jan Borgelt from XE.com as well as Doug Tyson from Gustav Kaeser were the lucky ones who found a little note announcing them winners of the raffle. Jan received a Royal Starter Set by Villeroy & Boch whilst Doug took home a Hamper Pack with everything needed to bake and create desserts and dish up pizza perfection by Dr. Oetker.
After the announcement of the raffle prize winners, it was time to reveal the winning team of the trivia. Despite all teams running a close race, Table 2 edged out a final victory by only three points. They won not only the satisfaction of knowing a lot about Christmas and Christmas traditions, but also the $20 gift vouchers for Gewürzhaus.
The official part of the evening was then wrapped up by Alexandra, who thanked everyone for attending and invited all guests to watch and enjoy the ignition of the traditional Feuerzangenbowle (fire tongs punch) on the Heritage Plaza. It was a successful evening that lasted long after the event officially concluded. For all those that did not win a prize that night, a bag filled with items to bake and decorate, sponsored by Dr. Oetker, as well as a one-of-a-kind Weihnachtsmarkttasse (Christmas market mug) ensured they didn’t go home empty handed.
All that is left to say now is: Happy Christmas in July to everyone!