Fourth of July Patriotic Party Panache!

Host Bee on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Celebrate the Fourth of July with Patriotic Panache!

The summer months offer us three great opportunities for patriotic inspired entertaining! And with a little bit of planning, you can easily host a star-studded party! A casual, outdoor gathering with a delicious grilled meal, along with lots of fun activities for the kids, can be the highlight of your summer. Here are a few suggestions for a uniquely patriotic get together!

Invitations

Red – Stars and Stripes Invitations – an attractive fill in the blank invitation is available from Birthday Express for a very appealing price!

White – Pop Out Stars - a red invitation with “pop out” stars is a fun and on sale (!) choice from Plum Party!

Blue – taking it up a notch, at Fine Stationery there are dozens of personalized choices for just this occasion! Here are two of my favorites: a diecut firecracker and a patriotic place setting (pictured), a card featuring a red and white striped background, topped with a patriotic place setting and a glass of lemonade!

Paper Goods

Red – two fun options from Shindigz will allow for easy entertaining –
Americana features a traditional patriotic design and
Summer Stars (pictured right) adds a bit of Hawaiian whimsy to the red, white and blue!

White – a distinctive look can be created with Fine Stationery’s Square Paper Plates with red and white stripes combined with Napkins featuring a vibrant firework pattern (pictured right)!

Blue – one last variation on the stars and stripes theme is from Party 411 and features exploding stars and fireworks! (Plates, Napkins)

This easy twist on an old standby begins by selecting a large, round, artisan loaf of bread from your local bakery.
Using the size and shape of your bread as a guide, form ground beef, enhanced with your favorite seasonings, (my family loves burgers seasoned with McCormick’s Grill Mates Montreal Steak) into one burger that fits onto the loaf.
Grill (or bake in the oven) and then slide the beef onto the horizontally sliced bread.
Serve by cutting into wedges, with fun garnishes on the side.
Garnishes can include shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced scallions, sautéed onions, guacamole – the list could go on and on!

Blue – Corn on the Cob – there are lots of ways to prepare this summer time classic! Take a look at three ways I’ve used to cook corn, along with specialty seasonings that will add a tricky touch to this side dish! (New Ways to Prepare Corn on the Cob)

Decorations

Red - patriotic table linens that you will be able to use again and again are available from Williams-Sonoma! Choices include a reversible table runner and coordinating napkins!

White – adorable paper lanterns will add a festive touch to your party setting without a lot of effort or expense! Consider picking up this set of three Patriotic Paper Lanterns, one multi-striped, one blue with stars and one that’s red with stars!

Blue – for a true party showpiece, consider splurging on this giant Usa Cake! This 4 ½ foot tall cake features three layers, ten battery operated candles and a spray of stars for the top! Talk about over the top fun!

For the Kids

Red – roll out some bubble wrap and let the kids stomp their hearts out while making some safe and silly “noise” minus the firecrackers! If you have time, pick up red and blue bubble wrap from Fast Pack!

White – stock up on those party favorites – Glow Necklaces, sold in patriotic colors, and Mini Stars And Stripes Bubble Bottles!

Blue – set up a table with an assortment of treats, along with star patterned takeout containers. Solid colored boxes can work well, too! Invite the children to fill a container with candies to take with them to the fireworks!

Dessert

Red – What could be easier than watermelon!

White – Okay, these flag cookies from Ali’s Sweet Treats might be even easier than watermelon!

Blue – A Sparkling Dessert – give dessert a sparkling and totally fun touch! Set up a tray with plastic cups as well as red, white and blue popsicles to be used as “stirrers” in an assortment of carbonated drinks! This was a huge hit with my kids when we tested the idea in our kitchen! For more details on this idea, take a look at Tip Tuesday: Sparkling Ice Pop Drinks!

Wrap it Up

After the food has been eaten, games played and snacks packed, send your guests off to the fireworks! Don’t forget blankets, jackets, flash lights and bug spray! Happy 4th!