Food, Friends, and Fun: 10 Ideas for the Fourth of July

Photo Courtesy: Photo: M_a_y_a via gettyimages.com

Presented by Carabelle’s Eats and Treats, where everything's from scratch with a small batch. It’s time to be the host with the most, with Carabelle’s help or on your own! 

(NATIONAL) Hosting a Fourth of July party? Pull out all the stops for the family and friends you may not have seen as much over the past year! Here are ten ideas for patriotic decorations, treats, and games - everything you need to get ready for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

Decorations

Nothing puts guests in a party mood like going all-out with your décor. Use these indoor and outdoor decorating ideas to fill your home with patriotic spirit.

● Star-Spangled Yard 

Decorate your yard like a giant flag by using star stencils: wet the grass and dust the area within the stencil with flour. This way, you can fill your lawn with temporary, environmentally-friendly white stars. It’s a great way to add visual interest to the whole space. 

● Festive Fences

Dress your fence with small American flags, patriotic bunting, or red, white, and blue party banners. There will be no mistaking yours is the house with the party!

● Centerpieces

Bring the fireworks to your buffet table with this décor set on Etsy or this DIY fireworks centerpiece from Design Improvised.

● Tables & Chairs

Cover your buffet and picnic or dining tables with classic red and white checkered tablecloths, then add a blue runner you can use every year. Alternatively, grab a disposable stars and stripes tablecloth to make cleanup easy. For comfort and style, add blue, white, and red pillows to chairs around your party area.

Games

Fourth of July parties are the perfect setting for themed games and activities. These ideas get guests moving, laughing, and having fun!

● Red, White, and Blue Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt checklist is a great activity for teams to compete for prizes or for entertaining the kids before fireworks start at the park. See who can spot all the 4th of July-themed items first!

● DIY Backyard Games 

Fourth of July-themed backyard games add a red, white, and blue flair to adult outdoor party games you love like bean bag tosses, and to all the outdoor party games your kids will love, too, like squirt gun target practice!

● Bike Parade

Have the kids (and adults) deck their bikes out in red, white, and blue streamers, sparkles, flags, and signs. Then have your own mini-parade (safely!) down the block to share the holiday spirit with your neighborhood!

Treats

Don’t leave the red, white, and blue to just your décor - bring the patriotic spirit to the table with these holiday recipes!

● Drinks

Layer it up with red, white, and blue! Try this simple soda recipe with cranberry juice, Sprite, and blue Gatorade, or go all out with this layered mocktail that uses a virgin piña colada mix, cherry 7-up with grenadine, and blueberry Kool-aid. 

● Sweets

If your gathering is smaller, whip up these mason jar Mixed Berry Shortcakes that showcase homemade whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries. If you’re looking for a real showstopper, this Layered Flag Cake from Betty Crocker is sure to get a wow from your guests when you cut it open to reveal an American Flag!

● Classic American 

Pull out the grill and have the burgers and dogs ready to go! Celebrate variety by having a selection of beef, turkey, and veggie patties and dogs for your guests to choose from. Keep up the red, white, and blue theme with this recipe for blue cheese and roasted red pepper burgers. Especially if you’re feeding a crowd of kids, you can prep your hot dogs in advance to create this Flag Board where the buns and dogs make the red and white stripes. And it wouldn’t be a cookout without side dishes like Delish’s Classic Potato Salad or their Grilled Creamed Corn. 

Make this year’s Fourth of July bash one your guests will remember, with colorful décor, patriotic games, and festive American-themed food! 

The Entertainer is presented by Carabelle’s Eats and Treats, food service dedicated to encouraging, inspiring, and strengthening women who have experienced loss to pursue holistic health through the culinary arts, while providing premier quality baked goods and catering services to the community.