Great Ideas for Creating Your Best 4th of July Party Ever
For those in the US July 4th really is the big event of the summer. Sure there is Memorial Day and Labor Day as well but they pale in comparison to the food packed, fun packed holiday weekend that is July 4th. After all, it celebrates one of the biggest milestones in US history - independence - so the fact that it is a huge celebration should be no real surprise.Given the fact though that the economy is still not quite where most people would like it to be more and more people will be celebrating July 4th in the comfort of their own (or their neighbors) back yard this year rather than traveling cross country or paying for an outing to an expensive restaurant or organized event.
If you are one of those people the fact that you are choosing to stay at home does not have to mean that your July 4th celebrations are any less than spectacular though. Here are some great ideas for July 4th decor that are easy (and affordable) to execute as well as one or two tips for creating the best 4th of July buffet you or your guests have ever tasted!
Decorating for the 4th of July - Tie Dye Bunting
No celebration of July 4th would be complete without some great patriotic bunting and tie dye bunting is so easy to make that even the kids can help.
All you need are some long swatches of white fabric - even old sheets would do and about 3-4 feet wide is ideal - and some red and blue fabric dye. After prewashing your chosen fabric fold it lengthwise and then attach two rubber bands to either end of it - one about 2 inches from the end and another about 6 inches in.
After mixing your dyes apply the red dye to one end between the two bands and the blue to the other in the same way and then give the whole thing a few hours to dry. Once it is dry you can remove the rubber bands and the end result should be some fabulously patriotic - but wonderfully unusual - 4th of July bunting to decorate your home with.
Decorating for the 4th of July - Fabulous Tableware
Most people take the most sensible route and opt to use paper plates and plastic cups for their 4th of July buffet. You do not have to spend a lot of money on specialty items though. A simple plastic cup - clear ones are best in this case - can become a great red white and blue affair with just the addition of a few red, white and blue paper craft stickers attached to it. Choosing plastic dinnerware in red, white and blue will ad to the ambiance as well and they are easy to find at a craft supply or party store for just a few dollars.
Eating on the 4th of July - Creating a Beautiful Buffet
The best 4th of July buffets are not fancy gourmet style affairs. This is after all a day for celebrating all that is traditionally American and that applies to the food as well. If you want something a little different though to go with the hamburgers, hot dogs and big slices of water melon you could try whipping up an old Southern classic - Frogmore Stew.
This is not a complicated dish - smoked sausage pieces, grilled shrimp, grilled corn on the cob and lightly boiled red potato pieces, all combined with a generous splash of Old Bay seasoning. This recipe offers a great way to provide your guests with a nice filling entree without having to spend too much money.
Other musts for your 4th of July buffet? Baked beans, nice crunchy green salads and of course, a fresh baked apple pie with plenty of ice cream to top it off!
