Host the Best Fourth of July Party

Every year we host a Fourth of July Party with guests that range from babies to 85 years old. It has been a tradition for 15 years. It's an opportunity to connect with old friends and a great time to include new friends. The guests all start coming after the morning's Fourth of July parade.

For many years, guests were invited by a simple phone call, but now I send out 4th of July Invitations. There are a couple of reasons why you may want to consider doing this as well. A written invitation helps to solidify the details. Last year we had guests coming at all different times, starting at noon with the last ones arriving at 7:00 PM. This makes serving the food difficult - keeping the cold food cold and hot food hot. Include on your invitation the time that the food will be served and if you want your guests to bring anything.

Start with the Fourth of July party decorations at your mailbox or driveway entrance. It can be simply red, white and blue balloons to identify the party house. We always decorate the garden arbor that leads to the backyard. This helps to direct the guests to the back rather than to the front door. Place a flag on the pool gate and stick smaller flags into the ground around the party area.

Hang paper lanterns that are red, white and blue from the patio umbrella ribs or tree branches.

I usually still have some blooming blue hydrangeas for centerpieces and put a couple of flags in with them.

A simple flower arrangement using flowers from your yard are better than any store bought centerpiece. Tie a little red ribbon around the neck of the vase for a splash of color.

Use blue tin buckets to hold the plastic silverware and napkins. If you are regularly hosting this event you may want to purchase cloth tablecloths but plastic tablecloths from the dollar store make for easy clean up. Purchase them early because they often run out of blue and red before July.

Other party supplies that you will need are plates, cups, silverware, napkins, and garbage bags.