One of the most popular holidays in the U.S. is right around the corner- the 4th of July. It's a time for food, fellowship, and, everyone's favorite, fireworks.
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Make Your 4th Of July Festive
4th of July is a treasured national holiday. Many families celebrate in the traditional fashion with a neighborhood cookout or family gathering and end the night with fireworks. Keeping such traditions in tact is important, but sometimes it is fun to try something new!
Mix It Up With Your Food
Whatever type of food you plan to serve on the 4th this year, mix it up and prepare a different menu item. Traditional recipes combined with a new appetizer or desert can liven up any table. Keep with the theme and find a fun recipe using red, white and blue ingredients. For example, strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream are utilized in many holiday desserts.
Don't forget to liven up your table as well. Most craft stores have fun decorations you can use to set the table or picnic area. Purchase or create place cards and name your foods like Liberty Burgers or Freedom Fries. This would be a good way to involve the children or grandchildren in helping name all the food. Also, you can easily find themed plates, napkins, cups and serving pieces. Many flowers, such as tulips, roses, gerbera daisies, phlox or hydrangeas come in red, white or blue varieties and would make a festive holiday arrangement. Your table is one of the main focal points, so spend a little time on your table.
4th of July Activities
If you live in a neighborhood with children or grandchildren, try having a Patriotic Parade. Kids can decorate wagons, bicycles or even golf carts in red white and blue and parade around the neighborhood. Someone might be selected as Uncle Sam and judge the vehicles, awarding a prize to the most patriotic entry. The event could end with Uncle Sam reading a book to the younger ones about the founding of our country. The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh or The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner by Patricia A. Pingry are two examples of books that help explain the history of the holiday. This would be a great activity shared by all.
All About The Fireworks
The culmination of any 4th of July involves fireworks. Some may prefer to go inside to watch New York or Boston light up the sky on television. Still others attend events and watch a local fireworks show. While these are the least risky options, many enjoy lighting fireworks with family and friends. Most are aware of the dangers of fireworks, and adults should always be present. One or two adults could be in charge of a neighborhood show, which is a safer way for the kids to enjoy the holiday.
However you choose to celebrate the 4th of July, make it festive with decorations, flowers and food. Remember to appreciate the history of the day and enjoy celebrating with family and friends!
Kid-Friendly Fourth of July
It is definitely possible to think of the Fourth of July and come up with tons of ways to involve kids, but it's also one of those holidays where you have to be a little more creative so that your kids feel really included and have a great time. Being a sucker for taking something that us bigger kids enjoy and making a kid-friendly version, I've compiled a short list of ways to help the little ones in your life love this summer-staple holiday!
PARADES!
The idea that pops out to me the most is taking your kids to a Fourth of July parade. They have them all around it seems, and while it may be hot and loud to you, it's a trade-off to watching kids be awestruck at all the elements! There are animals, candy, fire trucks, more candy–basically a child's dream! If you're up for it, venture out and visit a parade nearby. Some small towns even have a small carnival afterwards with rides and yummy food.
Safe Sparklers
When I think of being kid-friendly on the Fourth, I definitely don't think of fireworks. But I've found an innovative way for small children to get to (with supervision!) experience sparklers. They are perhaps the simplest of all fireworks, but never cease to still be quite entertaining– even for adults. Take a disposable, plastic cup and cut a small hole in the bottom big enough for the end of the Sparkler to stick through. The kids can stick their hand into the cup and hold on to the end of the Sparkler without the chance of stray sparks hitting them.
Fireworks Show
Still going along the firework route, visit the local fireworks display. For older kids this is usually really fun because they tend to sit still and actually watch more than a small child would. If you have a baby or a toddler with you, they will be interested for a little while but will soon get antsy. Bring along some Fourth of July coloring pages or some fun holiday themed snacks that you and your kids helped prepare earlier in the day. I know a lot of us with kids don't have tons of free time lying around for extra preparations, but if you wake up that day planning on that being your accomplishment for the day, then it makes it a little more doable. You can make cookies with red and blue icing or some easy party mix with red, white, and blue candies mixed in. Or for a healthier snack, put some sliced up strawberries and blueberries in the diaper bag before you head out.
Built in Helpers for Your Adult Party
If you're hosting or helping out at a party for you and your adult friends, let your kids be your helpers for the day. Kids absolutely love getting involved in anything you're working on, so give a task or two to them that you were going to have to do anyway and let them shine. Whether it's helping make a dessert, DIY-ing a party decoration, or going out and buying supplies–make it a mission for you both. It'll be a sweet memory and will make them less bummed about you having a party without them!
It's easy to prepare for a kid-friendly Fourth of July, just make a few plans ahead.
4th of July Cookout Choices
Independence Day is just around the corner, and it's time to fire up the grill once again! I don't know about you, but at my house nothing says "Happy Fourth of July" like a warm sun, friends and family relaxing on the deck, kids playing in the backyard, and fresh meat sizzling over an open flame. It's a summer tradition, and not one I plan on changing any time soon.
At my cookouts over the years, hamburgers and hotdogs have long been the old standbys, but I've been thinking of changing, and spicing, the menu up a bit this year. My momma always told me, "Son, don't fix it if it ain't broke," and that advice has served me well over the years. Even so, sometimes a man craves a little variety. After all, if someone didn't occasionally feel the urge to try something new, we'd still be hunting with rocks! Mixing things up is sometimes the best way to carry on a long-held family tradition, keep the spirit but fiddle with the details.
With that in mind, I did a little experimenting of my own, and have located a few recipes that taste so good, I can't help but share them. If you're looking for something different for YOUR outdoor cookout this 4th of July, take a quick gander at these three simple and delicious options.
Buffalo Style Hot Wings on the grill
This recipe is available with varying degrees of heat. I'm going to list the ingredients I use for the hottest sauce, which will leave your lips burning and is definitely too hot for children. Leaving out the jalapeno will reduce the heat significantly, and leaving out the powdered cayenne pepper will bring it down to almost nothing at all. No matter which way you choose to go, the flavor is amazing!
I'm normally not one to use pre-made ingredients in my recipes, but Frank's Cayenne Pepper Sauce is widely considered to be the premiere base to any hot wing recipe.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Frank's Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- 2 tbs butter
- 1 tbs vinegar (white or apple cider for taste)
- 1 jalapeno, chopped, with seeds
- 1 tsp powdered cayenne pepper
- Pepper grinder with black pepper corns
- 2.5 lbs of chicken wings and drumettes
Instructions
As you start the sauce, you have a choice of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar adds a nice twang that I enjoy, but it is a subtle difference and not a big deal either way. As I mentioned before, if you want to reduce the level of heat in the sauce itself, the jalapeno and extra cayenne pepper are optional. Place all the above ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Do not boil. Once it's reached a simmer it's finished. Set it to the side while you cook the chicken!
Place the chicken on the grill using low heat. The one thing you don't want is to burn the outside while the middle remains pink. If you have a tiered grill, placing the chicken on the top-tier is probably your best option. If you only have the one level, try to group your chicken at the edges of the fire and not directly over it. Cook the chicken until it is just shy of your preferred level of doneness. Remove the chicken from the grill and coat it thoroughly with sauce. Place the chicken back on the grill and grind the black pepper corns over the top. Finally, cook until their done. Time to sink your teeth into greatness!
The Inside-Out Cheeseburger
The cheeseburger has long been a staple of American cuisine, but have you ever had a burger with the cheese on the inside? There's nothing like biting into a freshly grilled burger and getting a mouthful of melted cheese. You'll have your guests begging for more!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chuck (makes 4)
- cheese of your choice, sliced/shredded/crumbled
- BBQ sauce of your choice (for added heat, try Famous Dave's Devil's Spit)
Instructions
You have the option of adding a little BBQ sauce directly to your ground chuck or waiting until after it's cooked. For a true inside-out cheeseburger, you should add it pre-cooked, but I do both. If you want to add beforehand, measure out about 2 tbsp of sauce. This won't be enough to keep the meat from adhering to itself, but it will give the burger that BBQ flavor.
Separate your meat into eight patties. These will be the circumference you want your final product to be, but very thin. Place your cheese on four of the eight patties. If your cheese is sliced, one slice will do fine per patty. You want to fold the slice into four pieces and place them on a single patty, overlapping but not stacked on each other and not hanging over the edge. You want to leave at least an eighth of an inch margin all the way around the patty.
You may be tempted to over-cheese, but let me caution you. If you put on too much, it will split the seam when it melts and the cheese will end up inside the grill instead of pocketed nicely in your burger. Place a clean patty on your cheesed patty and crimp the edges as thoroughly as possible. You are forming the pocket, and it should have no holes for the cheese to escape.
Now season your burger as usual and grill. It's okay to press on the top of the burger with the spatula while it cooks if that's your preference, but try to use an even pressure and don't press too hard as you could force the cheese through the side. Once the burger is nearing your preferred level of doneness, brush BBQ sauce across the top. When they're finished, place on a bun, add your toppings, and enjoy!
Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice
- 4 tablespoons Ranch Dressing
- BBQ sauce of your choice
- 8 jalapeño peppers
Instructions
First mix the cheese with the ranch dressing in a bowl and set to the side. Next grill the peppers until they begin to blister and then remove them from the heat. You'll want to let them cool for a bit, maybe five to ten minutes, and then slice them open length-wise, removing the seeds and core. Spoon the cheese mixture into the peppers, and then place them on the grill just long enough to melt the cheese. Once you've placed the peppers on a platter, drizzle them with the BBQ sauce and serve! It's both tasty and spicy!
Wanna Throw a 4th of July Party?
What better way to celebrate our freedom than with a get together with friends and family? There are plenty of ways to decorate your home in order to invite guests over and Wedding and Party Network has a few tips on throwing together a great 4th of July party.
The easiest thing to start with would be the staple 4th of July decoration: you guessed it, the flag! You can find little flag replicas all over stores, like your local party store. Start with placing a flag in your yard, or hang it from your porch.Throughout your house, you could use them as part of table centerpieces. There are endless options. You could also buy streamers and ribbons in red, white, and blue throughout the house. What about a decorative, festive 4th of July wreath? It's a great way to welcome guests into your home. There are such fun ways to decorate for this red, white and blue holiday!- Food! Food is important at any party, and the best thing about this kind of party is that you can theme it! Try making star shaped cookies with cookie cutouts, cover them in red or blue frosting and use white sprinkles. (This could be a fun family craft for the kids to enjoy, too!)
Also, have red and blue popsicles around: not only is it festive, but it's hot outside! The popsicles will help everyone to cool off. Food is such a fun way to display your patriotism. - If you really want to spice things up, make some refreshing cocktails for the adults, or keep them alcohol free for the kids to enjoy, as well! Mix up some red punch and throw in some blue colored ice-packed stars. You can easily incorporate the theme of any part in with drinks and they keep everyone cool.
With our simple tips, you'll throw an amazing party with festive decorations! Everyone will want to be back at your place next year, and maybe even the next!
I Pledge Allegiance to the Perfect Party Planners of America
Planning a successful party can be a huge achievement. Around our family, planning the perfect Independence Day party may promote you to queen of the universe. Why so much love for 4th of July? My family is military, give us any excuse to parade around in our American flag apparel and we are there. The great thing about the 4th of July is it is very hard to overdo American pride, BBQ, decorations or desserts.
Summertime is the season we’ve been waiting for. All that money spent on landscaping the backyard, cleaning the pool and staining the deck is now in use. Now, it’s time to show off all our hard work! It’s time for a 4th of July BBQ and we’re here to help!
Good “Eats”
When it comes to inviting people over for your BBQ there is one thing that is at the top of the list; food. Come on, it’s even in the name of your party. There are certain food choices that are common, but are goodies that can be grilled by your husband and save you some time. Food that puts your hubby to work is grilled burgers, hot dogs, smoked BBQ and ribs.
The good ole home comfort sides like potato salad, coleslaw and beans are perfect for the grilled entrees. Now, if you want to spice things up in the “sides” area I’m here to help. For a refreshing salad in the summer heat try adding strawberries, blueberries and bleu cheese crumbles. You’ll love the color mix.
That isn’t the only American flag inspired food choice. Desserts are also the key to a fun time.
Sweet Tooth Desserts
Everyone has a sweet tooth, but these desserts are sure to have your guests seeing stars. For another fruity mix, try skewing 8 blueberries and putting a star cut watermelon at the top for the perfect mix of red and blue. If that seems too healthy for the sweet lovers, try dipping strawberries in white chocolate, but don’t stop there. Before it dries dip the wet chocolate covered strawberry’s tip in a sparkly blue sprinkle mix. The strawberry should be in separated in red, white and blue layers that are sweet on the eyes.
Can’t get enough of the sprinkles; try the same thing with ice cream sandwiches and pretzel sticks. There can’t be a BBQ without cookies, so try adding red and blue sprinkles into cookie batter. Not only will there be firework cookies, but a firework explosion on your tongue. Yum!
If the children can’t wait for dessert, make them blue raspberry lemonade to cool them off after playing in the yard. The recipe can be found in my previous blog here. To give that lemonade an American feel add a red and white striped straw.
BBQ Decor
If their dinner doesn’t have them saying they are proud to be an American…they aren’t. With all the patriotic food, there has to be patriotic decorations to balance it out. Let’s start at the first thing your guests will see; your front door.
Wreaths are a hit for every season, but this 4th of July let’s blow them away.Take a wire coat hanger out of your closet and bend it into a circle. After perfecting the circle, pick out a red t-shirt and cut it into finger size strips. After cutting the t-shirt into shreds (literally), tie the pieces of t-shirts in a knot one by one until you have covered your hanger completely with red chaos. For the finishing touch add a blue and white bow to the top. The neighborhood will envy your unique entrance.
Beyond the entrance decorate the party area, which is most likely the backyard. If there is a porch, a cheap and elaborate banner can be hung around the guard rail. Take red and white striped fabric and secure it in different areas by tying it with blue yarn. Pull the fabric slightly loose between each secure area. The last step is to step back and admire the perfect fence or porch banner.
Don’t want to use the porch? Cut blue, red and white bandannas into triangles. Attach the triangle pieces at the base to a long string. When you hang the banner in the air, the pieces should point downward like a carnival banner. Now that the backyard porch is taken care of, the tables need to lead the guests to the main part of the party; the food.
Table Decor Themes
There are several ways to decorate a table for the 4th of July. For a quick and fabulous table arrangement start with a red and white polka dot table runner. Then it’s time to decorate the flower vases. Grab my favorite rustic vase, the mason jar, and wrap a piece of burlap around the vase and attach it with hot glue and add the finishing red bow over top of the burlap. After, the vase is done simply add red carnations to finish off the centerpiece. Now, you have perfected the rustic look.
For a more fresh look, start with a white outside table-cloth. Grab 2 large clear vases for your centerpieces. Add a white daisy and red carnation mixture into the vase. Now we have red and white among the centerpieces, its’ time for the blue accent. Fill a jug with water and apply blue color dye. The vases will appear blue and when the party is done, simply wash the vase to restore it back to its original color.
Don’t want to mess with color dye? Buy blue vases in various colors! Just pop a few roses or carnations in them and you have a beautiful centerpiece. To add the perfect base that won’t take away from the centerpieces throw down a light blue table-cloth.
These table decoration themes should have the guests begging for more.
New Sparkle on Party Favors
After all the food is consumed, it’s time to watch fireworks. Instead of giving party favors to your guest as they leave, I suggest you do it now. After eating a big meal, there are several cute ways to decorate peppermints. Did I mention they are red and white striped? If you’re more of a chewer, try red and blue gum balls for a fresh treat. Your guests will thank you.
For the children at your party, you can gather 3 or 4 sparklers and hold them together with red and blue ribbon. Not only will the sprinklers keep the kids away from the fireworks, but it will even look like a present! Such trickery!
4th of July is right around the corner. Be sure to celebrate the land of the free and home of the brave.
Inspirational Friday – Red, White & Blue
Here at Wedding and Party Network we want to give you inspiration for your wedding and party details. The details are what sets your wedding and party apart from anyone else. The colors, theme, detailing and style all creates your wedding day style and conveys your party theme. So, today's Inspirational Friday will focus on the colors red, white and blue in honor of Fourth of July.
4th of July is such a festive holiday. Therefore, your party decor should definitely reflect that style. Of course, you should definitely go with the red, white and blue theme. Create unique centerpieces with fireworks or add fireworks to the party cake. There are many unique ideas out there, you just have to get creative and find inspiration for your 4th of July party.
Get Festive for the 4th of July
It's time for the fireworks and to get the grills going. It's 4th of July! Get the red, white and blue out, your backyard party ready and invite all of your friends over for a great time. This holiday is definitely the time to get festive and to celebrate the country's independence. It's great to stick with tradition when hosting this party. Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas for your 4th of July party with a few unique twists.
For the red, white & blue party decorations – You definitely need party decorations for this party. Of course, they should be red, white & blue and resemble fireworks. For starters, decorate the tables in blue, red or white table cloths and accent them with a complimentary color. The fun part comes with the centerpieces. There are so many options! First off, talk with your florist about creating unique centerpieces for your 4th of July party. They will definitely have some unique ideas.
To accent the centerpiece, use smaller jars, fill them with sand and place fireworks in the jars to create firework accents. Another cute idea to create a fun tablescape is to create fun place settings for your guests. Find festive plates, 4th of July tin buckets, American Flag and fireworks. Fill the buckets with all of those items, as well as other little accessories along with the utensils and you'll have a fun place setting, as well as a great party favor.
Now that you have the tables set, it's time to focus on the rest of the party decorations. Of course, scatter flags throughout your yard, tiki torches, pennants, create fireworks out of construction paper and hang them from colorful ribbons and line the jars with red, white & blue tissue covered masons jars with tea light candles lit inside them. The tissue paper mason jars can even be a craft for the little ones to do earlier in the day and you can use them at night to light the pathway. Just think fun and festive for your party decorations.
For the festive party food – When creating your party food, think red, white and blue. For starters, set out a fruit tray for your guests. Fruit is always a refreshing treat. However, get creative with it. Create an American flag using strawberries and bananas alternating them on a kabob stick. Use blueberries for the stars. You can also do this with cupcakes or even cake pops. For the main course, think food that you can grill. The 4th of July should be about the hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and potato salads. Where you can really get creative with red, white and blue is the desserts. Create red, white and blue popsicles, white chocolate dipped strawberries with blue sprinkles, swirled red, white and blue cheesecake, party cakes and cookies and don't forget to use star cookie cutters for fruit.
Don't forget about the party games – Of course, you'll definitely be spending most of your time outdoors. So, come up with some great outdoor games that the whole family will love. They can be classic games like, three legged race, wheelbarrow race or the bean bag game. However, most of your time may be spent with fireworks.
This holiday is definitely about spending it with family and having a wonderful time together. Don't forget the meaning and get festive with the red, white and blue.
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Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find party cakes near you!
Inspirational Friday – Red, White & Blue
Every Friday, Wedding and Party Network will be choosing a theme or color and give you inspirational photos. We want to help give you inspiration for your next event, wedding or party. So, take a look and we hope to give you a bit of inspiration when planning your wedding or party. Our inspirational board will give everyone inspiration for red, white and blue. This holiday is a great time to get together with friends and family. When planning for a party at your house, keep in mind red, white and blue!
Your 4th of July party should be filled with red, white and blue. They are the colors of the holiday, therefore, they should always be incorporated into your party. Create red, white and blue party food and make sure your centerpieces include those colors in them. Create something truly unique by mixing and matching different shades of red, white and blue in them. The most important thing about this holiday is to remember what it stands for and to spend it with close family and friends.
4th Of July Celebration
Your Fourth of July party this year should be a family affair. This holiday is about celebrating freedom and sharing it with close family and friends. It's an important holiday and definitely one you want to share with everyone. However, how do you make this holiday fun for everyone? You want to host a party that is unique and stands out from everyone else. Well, Wedding And Party Network has some 4th of July party ideas that will get you started. Everyone will want to come to your house.
The Setup
Party Decorations – Your party decorations will be red, white and blue. It has to be patriotic for 4th of July! However, it doesn't have to be over-the-top with decorations.
First off, start by decorating the tables. Place red, white and blue tablecloths on each one followed with a table runner. Mix the colors to create a patriotic theme. Once that is done, move on to the centerpieces.
Get sand buckets and fill them with white daisies or actually pour sand in them and stick sparklers and fireworks into each one to create unique table centerpieces. You can even sprinkle some glitter on the tables as accents as well.
If you want to hang decor from the trees, string lights and paper lanterns all around the back yard. Also, stick cute pinwheels in the ground and drink holders that you can stick in the yard. Also, place different markers in the yard to let guests know what will be happening in that particular spot. Section off part of your yard for games, seating, eating and fireworks.
Red, White & Blue Party Food
When thinking of what to prepare, think barbeque with a twist. Grill hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, grilled shrimp and pair it with the usual potato salad and chips to make great outdoor grilling food. Now, create a condiments table. Place cheese, mustard, ketchup, onions, relish, pickles and jalapenos on the condiments table. Make sure and put them in adorable jars and tie a red, white or blue ribbon around each one to add to the party.
Now onto snacks that can be eaten throughout the day. Make sure and place out fruit, vegetables and snacks that are easy to grab and eat on the go. However, display them in fun ways. Create a watermelon split! Cut bananas in half for the bottom and use an ice cream scoop to scoop out some watermelon so it replicates ice cream and then top it with some whipped cream. Fruit kabobs, blue corn tortilla with salsa and your favorite appetizers will be great party food to set out for everyone.
Desserts are going to be the main focal point. You can create a sheet cake and then place blueberries and raspberries on top to represent a flag. Also, create cupcakes. They are easy to carry around you can easily pop them in your mouth.
Hamburger cupcakes paired with corn cupcakes makes something fun for dessert or create Lady Liberty cupcakes, which feature a green ice cream cone, cake mix and sugar wafers that are dyed orange and red for the flame.
Dip strawberries in white chocolate and cover with blue sprinkles for a pleasant treat. Don't forget the ice cream. July is a hot month so it's nice to cool off a bit with some ice cream sandwiches or popsicles.
Games & Activities
4th Of July is normally celebrated all throughout the day. Therefore, you need to keep everyone entertained all throughout the day. So, setup different stations. Set up an arts and craft station where the kids can create flags or their own rockets. Face painting, relay games and fireworks should all have their own stations set up.
Another fun thing to do is to have your own firework competition. Put together teams and give them a variety of fireworks. They can create their own shows for the night and the best one wins. Everyone loves a little friendly competition.
When planning your Fourth Of July celebration, plan for it to be an all day affair. Decorate with red, white and blue and think outside the box. Most importantly, remember what the holiday stands for and share it with close friends and family.
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Not in Philadelphia, PA No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a caterer near you!
Fourth Of July cake photo courtesy of Edgar Zuniga Jr., Camera Slayer via flickr.
