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How to Have the Perfect 4th of July Celebration

4th July Sparkler American Flag

Great news: the perfect 4th of July party actually exists outside of Pinterest! It doesn’t take Martha Stuart or a staging queen to pull it off, either. If you really want to impress your patriotic partygoers this year, it can be done—easily and affordably, without breaking the bank!

1. Get the Buzz Going

You can’t have a party if no one attends! The 4th of July is a busy holiday; many families choose to spend their time off on vacation or shuffling around between barbeques. To make sure your event is on everyone’s radar, be sure to get the invites out early and start building the buzz. It’s never too soon to plant seeds in people’s ear, but we recommend sending out official invitations at the beginning of June.

2. Set and Forget

Party Planning 101: schedule and set automated reminders to alleviate the stress of micromanaging every detail. For example, create a push notification for the day to follow through on RSVPs, go grocery shopping, begin baking and so forth. Also, if you plan on renting any outdoor furniture, having floral arrangements delivered, or hiring a DJ, be sure to reserve your services well in advance; like we said, it’s a busy holiday and businesses will book up fast!

3. Favorite Fares

A 4th of July party is nothing without a good cook out. Satisfy your guests with all their favorite 4th of July foods, including hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, pretzels, watermelon, and all the classic staples! Be sure to include fare for your vegetarian guests, as well. Even omnivores will love creamy coleslaw, potato salad, and corn on the cob! Consider getting disposable plates and utensils instead using your own dishware—you’ll certainly thank yourself come cleanup time!

4th July Froyo

4. Bake, Bake, Bake

Hardy meals are important, but baked foods can make or break any event. Fill your 4th of July party with sweets that no summer diet can resist! This is your opportunity to double up on decorations, so be sure to allot yourself enough baking time (see Step #2!). Some of fans’ favorite festive treats include:

  • Red, white and blue Rice Krispies or cookie bars
  • 4th of July s’mores
  • Firecracker Jell-O cups
  • Cake batter balls
  • Dipped Oreo flags
  • American flag pie

Now’s the time to turn to your favorite baking blog and get inspired! We recommend doing a trial run before the big day; surely you’ll be able to find enough guinea pigs for constructive criticism.

5. Don’t Forget the Booze

If there’s one thing that’s more important than desserts, it’s alcohol. Holidays are the best time to fully stock a bar due to the wide variety of festive drinks you can make! Blue curacao and grenadine might not be your usual staples, but be sure to pick them up on your next trip to the store! These eclectic ingredients are essentials for 4th of July cocktails such as:

  • Blueberry Lemonade Vodka
  • Italian Ice Champagne Floats
  • Strawberry Tequila Cocktails
  • Fruity Mojitos
  • Boozy Snow Cones

Skip the store-bought mixers and give your guests something to remember with a variety of fun alcoholic beverages!

6. Get Creative

Desserts and drinks can double as decorations, but you have far more room to get creative. Consider decorations such as a patriotic welcome wreath, temporary lawn stars, painted mason jars, strands of lights, red ribbon garland, and so on. Your creativity and originality will set your party apart from the rest, so take your time with this step and do your due diligence to deck out your space.

7. Bring the Bass

Your home and backyard are decorated to the nines and filled with everything anyone could need during a party. The last item on your checklist is a solid playlist (with a killer sound system to match). If you’re subconscious about your own musical prowess, be sure to have Spotify or Pandora dialed in to give your partygoers something to dance to! Be mindful of your neighbors though, and think about turning down the volume around 11:00 PM depending on your location.

8. Festive Fun

Last but not least, encourage your guests to sport an American flag tank top, silly sunglasses, or striped bikini to take part in the festive fun! Your guests will be much more engaged if everyone participates in the theme, so do you best to give subtle nudges and make sure participation is high!

You don’t need fireworks to make sparks fly this 4th of July. Follow these steps and you’re on your way to hosting a perfect 4th of July celebration not soon forgotten!

Aaron Gordon is a writer for various CosmoBC.com blogs.

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