Throw the Best 4th of July Party Around!

If you are throwing a party, and want it to make an impact, take a look at these suggestions. Once you get started, you will find yourself coming up with all kinds of ideas. Let this be an inspiration to get you going on your best party ever!

1) Ask you friends and family if they know of anyone serving in the military and create a bulletin board where they can place photos or descriptions of their "Heroes." Later on in the evening, you can pass out candles and after the fireworks have died down, take a few moments to share who these people are and what they mean to you. Allow anyone who wants to talk tell the reasons they are thankful for the freedoms we share in our country. This will will stick with people for a long time. Sometimes we get away from the true meaning of this holiday.

2) Red, White and Blue balloons make a very big impact. You can bundle them and use them as archways. This will lend a very patriotic feel to your party. It is very inexpensive to get some helium tanks and several packs of cheap balloons.

3) You can wrap Red, White, and Blue Christmas lights around trees for an amazing effect. This is something that most people do not take the time to do and it is so easy.

4) For a simple meal, Delegate! Put a family in charge of meats and grilling, one in charge of side dishes, and one in charge of cleaning! This will take a lot of stress off of you and ensure that everyone will have at least something they like to eat. You make the cake and stand by as everyone ooohs and ahhhhs over your creation. You can find recipes for these all over the net. If you are too busy, call up your local bakery and have them make it!

5) Never underestimate the power of music. If you play it while the fireworks are blasting, it gives it new life! Do not ever stress about how impressive the show is. It won't be. It will be a group of men, all in a circle explaining what is wrong with each individual one. They will have a blast getting play with new toys. In the mean time, purchase tons of sparklers. Everyone loves them and they are guaranteed to work!

6) Unify the group with a craft. If there will be a lot of children in attendance, have everyone bring an old plain tee and let them have at it with glue, glitter, and puff paint. This will occupy them for hours. For adults, have each guest sign a tablecloth and write something meaningful or funny. This will turn into a blast. Hold a drawing and give it to the person who wins to take home.

Enjoy yourself this 4th of July and don't forget to sing songs and pass out tons of tiny flags. There is patriotism inside us all. Getting together and celebrating it is a beautiful thing!