Show Your True Colors with a July 4 Party

Show Your True Colors with a July 4 Party

Given the seminal position it occupies in our nation’s history, it’s odd that more Americans don’t host Independence Day parties. There is much to recommend doing so – July 4 falls in the middle of the year, making outdoor gatherings possible; and the event’s dominant color scheme has already been picked out for you. Throw in family, friends and fireworks and you’re looking at a surefire patriotic celebration.

That said, you should do your homework before busting out the red, white and blue. Here is a beginner’s guide to throwing a successful Independence Day bash.

Gotta Get Guests: As with all parties, don’t invite more people than you can handle; think quality over quantity. To get people excited about the event, send out an invitation in the weeks before, the more eye-catching (and patriotic) the better.

Group Effort: One underappreciated advantage of Fourth of July parties is that the setting and weather naturally lend themselves to potluck, which each guest bringing a dish of their choice. Likewise, these summer events are perfect for grilling out, a relatively inexpensive way to feed a group of people. Make it easier for all concerned by limiting the choices to hot dogs and hamburgers; what could be more American?

(Don’t) Have a Drink on Me: It’s vitally important to include on your invitation the potluck nature of the event and, even more to the point, that it is a BYOB bash. This will enable guests to imbibe their favorite libation, contribute to the party’s overall communal feel and save you some money. Remember to stock plenty of water and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Take a Seat: It’s easy to forget that no matter how casual the July 4 party, your guests will want to sit somewhere while consuming food, drink and conversation. Given the event’s laid-back vibe, it’s fine to utilize plastic chairs, lawn chairs, camping chairs and whatever other casual seating you can find around the house. Depending on the size of the crowd, you can always ask guests to bring their own chairs.

Let the Games Being: Thanks to July’s typically sunny weather, there are tons of outdoor games you can play to stir up everyone’s competitive spirits and get them mingling. Of course, it likely will be hot so consider stocking a cooler full of water guns or water balloons for refreshing shenanigans. It’s also a good idea to have some background music going.

Light Up the Sky: Depending on where you live, it may not or may not be legal to purchase and shoot off fireworks. Make sure to research local options and give anyone who might want to watch the pyrotechnics a heads up ahead of time. If you happen to live somewhere you can shoot off your own fireworks, don’t get crazy with them.  
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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.