The Fourth of July is a magical day for Americans to celebrate freedom and show pride in the USA alongside friends and family. People all around the country are planning backyard barbecues, trips to the beach, and wild fireworks shows for the neighborhood.
No matter how you plan on celebrating, you need to spread the word. What better way to get a crowd over than using Smilebox invitations made specifically for the 4th! This post features some of our favorite invitation designs. Click here to see all Smilebox Fourth of July designs in action then read on for some quick party-planning tips.
Once you’ve created fun invitations and sent them out, you can start planning activities, decorations, and food to make your party unforgettable. These are just a few ideas to help you along the way.
Patriotic Pastimes
Help the kids paint beautiful American Flag themed shirts. The creative mom over at “The Family Scientista” blog came up with these easy instructions that will have your family looking the best on the block.
Outdoor games like horseshoes and touch football will keep party guests of all ages entertained. If there is a Fourth of July parade planned in your town, it may feature contests like the egg toss or three-legged race that kids (and kids at heart) will love. Our friends at Family Fun magazine have created a list of fun Fourth of July games and activities that everyone will love. As the night winds down, build a fire and see who can make the best s’more while you admire everyone’s fireworks.
Show Your True Colors
Decorations are key to getting your party site ready, and flying Old Glory is a must. Whether it’s a full-size flag or those cute mini-flags lining the yard, make sure to show your pride by displaying the majestic stars and stripes.
When it comes to decorating for meal time, every party supply store and supermarket will have red, white and blue paper plates, napkins, and tablecloths to help spice up your patriotic feast. We love the look Hostess with the Mostess created for extra stylish Fourth of July soirees.
Feast on the Fourth
In our opinion, the best way to go when it comes to food is the classic All-American barbecue. Have guests share the duties of preparing burgers, hot dogs, and ribs as main course items. Have each family bring their favorite side dish. Watermelon, pasta salad, potato salad, and cole slaw are always favorites on a hot summer day. Make sure you have some extra coolers to keep everything fresh as the celebration continues! Need more inspiration on what to serve? Good Housekeeping has ideas for patriotic fare that’s designed to dazzle guests.
Light up the Night
Make a trip to a local fireworks stand and buy a variety of whiz-bangs that will have the crowd ooh-ing and ahh-ing. Get some big fireworks for the Dads to help light, and some sparklers for the younger kids and parents that want to keep it low-key. It’s also important to have a bucket of water nearby, just in case the lawn catches a spark. If fireworks are banned in your city, or you just don’t feel comfortable having your family handling fireworks, search for a nearby neighborhood show that will wow all of your guests.
Support the Troops
Lastly, the Fourth of July is a great time to remember and honor those who fight for the freedom you are celebrating. Operation Homefront is an important organization dedicated to helping troops with a variety of basic needs.
We hope these designs and tips spark your creativity and help you plan a star-spangled celebration. From all of us at Smilebox, have a happy (and safe!) Fourth of July.
“Pride and Patriotism” Scrapbook
