4th of July Party Ideas

It is that time of year again where cookouts and fireworks seem to go hand in hand. We all like to throw a good party but it is hard to keep it new and fresh when you do it year after year. It can be just as hard hosting a party for the first time so I have decided to share with you some of my 4th of July party ideas. Some may sound corny but red, white and blue never go out of style!

1. Send out invitations with all the basic info on flag stationary, which can be made easily on your computer, and require everyone to wear red, white and blue.

2. Host a contest-my favorite-the wackiest patriotic hat-have your guests vote for the winner!

3. Coordinating paper goods or plates make a create splash on a table! If you don't have enough of one type of pattern, mix it up, just keep the color theme red, white, and blue!

4. For place cards you can use gold stars or little flags.

5. Hot dogs and Hamburgers are easy, fun, inexpensive and usually a crowd pleaser. Sometimes keeping a meal simple is the best.

6. For dessert you can have lots of fun! White cake with fireworks, cake that depicts the flag, red and blue jello with whipped cream, sugar cookies with patriotic colors, star shaped cookies are just some fun ideas to get you thinking!

7. Helium balloons and streamers are fun and if done nicely can really make your party look festive!

8. Patriotic carnations are a fun centerpiece or star floating candles make a great centerpiece as well. If you have white flowers, put some food coloring in the water and watch them change color! This is a great science activity to do with your kids too.

9. Checking your local calendar for fireworks is a good idea, you can all go as a group.

10. Sparklers are very pretty and are fun to have at a party-just use them safely.

11. A couple of disposable cameras lying around can give your guests a chance to capture those really memorable moments. When you have them developed, put them on cd so you can share!

12. A balloon toss on a warm summer's day is a fun activity and keep that color theme going-red, white and blue.