How to Throw a Great 4th of July Party!

The Fourth of July BBQ is an event that all Americans look forward to. It's a day in which to celebrate our countries independence, but also to celebrate life, family and thankfulness. There are several very important details to remember when you begin planning of your outdoor Fourth of July bash.

1) Decorating for your bash should be done tastefully. While we all love the "Stars & Stripes" we don't need those silly overly tacky plastic sandwich trays, or bowls. The best way to decorate for your bash is to use heavy serving ware. Solid colors in red, white or blue will do nicely. In addition; decorate with flowers. Small bouquet's of red, white and blue carnations, or daisy's will brighten up the party and fragrance the air. Also, please don't use plastic tablecloths. No matter how nice the table setting, you'll defeat the purpose if you place it atop plastic. Opt for a white table cloth so that all the other pieces compliment each other, bringing out the vibrant red and blue color palette.

2) Using plastic or paper dinnerware is acceptable when hosting a long guest list, but remember to buy quality. As long as it's sturdy enough to hold the Potato Salad and doesn't clash with the table setting, it's a keeper. Opt for quality napkins in red white and blue and wrap the utensil's inside. Tie a small ribbon around the napkin to dress it up and again, keep the color choices in red, white or blue only.

3) Your guests are expecting good food. Maybe you're not the best cook around, but anyone can cook if they have the right recipes. Keep the menu simple, but spice it up with these easy tips. Potato salad is one of the simplest dishes to prepare, although it is time-consuming, so plan ahead. Find a 5 star recipe, place it in a beautiful serving dish and decorate with edible herbs. All the best chef's will tell you that the presentation is just as important as the dish itself. Use fresh sprigs of parsley or dill weed. This tactic will surely be pleasing to the eye and the stomach. Instead of opting for complicated dishes, go for the simple, easy to execute and popular choices.

Hamburgers top the list and spicing them up is easy. Onion burgers are very popular and you don't have to be a top chef to prepare them. Simply mix onion soup and fresh dill weed, (chopped) into grade A beef and you've got a tasty winner. For those who prefer to stay away from red meat, marinated boneless chicken breast will win them over. Marinate the chicken overnight, in olive oil, vinegar and fresh herbs. Grill them and watch your guests devour them. Other great recipes can be found at; www.recipes.com. Also, have a variety of dishes and beverages to choose from, including desert and coffee.

4) Keeping your guests talking and keeping the kids busy is easy if you implement games into the day. Badminton, Croquet and Horseshoes are super fun games and are also quite affordable. These are games everyone can enjoy including older guests. The last thing we want are bored guests. Giving them something to do on a summer day will liven up your party and make for happy fun filled day.

5) Ambiance is very important and must not be overlooked. If your party will continue into the evening when the sun goes down, light candles and lots of them. Conversation and a drink by the flicker of a candle flame will add intimacy to your gathering. Please don't opt for Citronella candles. Citronella doesn't work all that well in keeping the pesky mosquitoes away and it smells awful. Instead, invest in a bug light, but keep it a fair distance away from the seating.

Music is important to the overall ambiance of your gathering. A long guest list means you'll have an abundance of guests with different music tastes, so in order to appease them all, you'll need to make a few CD's. www.itunes.com, is the perfect place to go when considering your music compilations. Mix up the genre's to include, classical, contemporary, jazz, pop, rock and even a few the kids will enjoy.Music will help to set a party mood.There you have it. The 5 most important details any Fourth of July bash must have. Don't stress over the preparation, plan ahead, shop ahead, but most of all, have fun. Planning a party doesn't have to be a chore. If you follow these tips you will have the most successful party on the block and be the envy of those neighbors who didn't make the invite...