Celebrate the 4th of July with easy and inexpensive party ideas

It’s almost the 4th!  Time for fireworks, picnics, and pool parties. Are you ready to celebrate? If you haven’t made your party plans yet, here are some 4th of July party ideas that will make your holiday weekend something special, without breaking the bank.

Host a red, white, and blue potluck

With everyone watching their budgets, a potluck is a great way to invite lots of people over without going overboard with your spending. Give your potluck a 4th of July theme by assigning everyone red, white, or blue food or another item to bring. Provide them with a list of needed items or let them be creative. To get you started, how about:

Red

• Pasta with sauce
• Wine
• Strawberries
• Sliced tomatoes
• Steak or other beef, ready for the grill
• Steamed or boiled lobster

Blue

• Blueberry pie
• Blue plates, cups, or plastic flatware
• A blue-tinted cake, cookies, or cupcakes
• Blue corn chips
• Blue sports drinks

White

• Vanilla pudding
• A cheese plate
• Chicken or fish, ready to grill
• Onion dip
• Coconut cake

Have everyone list what they’re bringing on a website or in an e-mail, so you can keep track and fill in the missing items.

Host a fireworks party within walking distance of the show

4th of July party ideas are easy if you let the fireworks be the star of the show. If you live near a fireworks show, invite everyone over for themed desserts and drinks, then sit back and watch the show in the sky. Spread out blankets on the grass for easy fireworks watching, pass the snacks, desserts, and drinks and let everyone enjoy the show. After the fireworks end, put on your own show with sparklers, legal at-home fireworks, and music.

If the show isn’t near your house, find a park or beach that is and host your party there. Serve snacks and drinks, or have everyone bring a picnic dinner and just enjoy the outdoors together.

Get several Frisbees or take along a ball and a bat for an impromptu baseball game, space permitting.

Most public fireworks displays are accompanied by music on a local radio station, so find out in advance which station is doing your local display. Have people bring boom boxes or other radios so you can hear the music while you watch.

Have an educational Fourth

When you’re considering 4th of July party ideas, remember that this is a historical holiday. Why not add a bit of that history into your holiday plans. For instance:

As each person enters, stick a label on their back with the name of a well-known figure associated with American independence or the birth of the nation. Guests have to ask each other yes or no questions to identify the name on their back.  And no fair peeking! You might want to cover any mirrors until this game is over!

Name the dishes at your picnic after important people, events, and dates in the history of American independence. You could even include a brief description of why each is so significant. Just keep it light…information is great, but hey, it’s a party!

Show a 4th of July film on the lawn.  Party rental stores have large, inflatable movie screens designed for outdoor use. A movie like Independence Day or the musical 1776 is just two of the many choices with a patriotic theme you could choose. Pass the popcorn and enjoy!

Remember the basics to make all your 4th of July party ideas better

Whatever you decide to do, there are a few things you’ll want to remember for any outdoor Fourth of July event.  Make sure you:

• Pay attention to safety.  Even sparklers can be dangerous in the wrong hands
• Keep a watchful on kids, especially if there is water nearby and safety is a concern
• If your party is during the day, provide sunscreen, shade, and plenty of water.  If it’s at night, citronella candles are a must-have.
• Keep food cold to prevent illness. Have one or two large coolers on hand to make access to cold food storage easier.
• Driving after drinking is just as dangerous on a patriotic holiday as it is any other day of the year, so make sure there are designated drivers or access to taxi rides for those who have indulged. 

Happy Fourth!