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 4^th 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 4^th 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 4^th 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 4^th 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 4^th 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!

4^th of July is right around the corner. Be sure to celebrate the land of the free and home of the brave.