Throw a Great American Birthday Party for the 4th of July

Host a Great American Birthday Party on the 4th of July to celebrate the birth of our great nation. Birthdays are celebrated to the extreme in my home. So, once I explained the history of this patriotic holiday to my little girl she started planning the cake and wondered about gifts. Good question. Forget the boring cookout -- punch up your party with fresh ideas and a patriotic theme. Here are some of the ideas my family came up with for our Great American Birthday Party.

Invitations: Create a mix CD to send out as the birthday party invitation. This is an inexpensive way to set the tone for your party. The first track can be a recording of your child reading the party details, followed by your family singing "Happy Birthday" to the USA. Fill the rest of the CD with favorite patriotic songs to get guests in the mood for a birthday party celebration.

Menu: A typical 4th of July meal is basic picnic food. BBQ or cold sandwiches are just fine with the traditional side dishes. Make whatever you serve party-special by adding frilly red, white and blue toothpicks, or adding just a few special dishes. For example, dip the tip of a strawberry into white chocolate and then into blue sugar crystals for a patriotic treat. If you are feeling creative, rename the various dishes to tie the theme together. Why not call lemonade,"Lady Liberty-Ade."

Cake: Any cake will do for a Great American Birthday party. Depending upon how many people you have coming, you may want to serve a large sheet cake, or a small cheesecake. Add sparkling candles to add to the fun. If you want to get creative, cut a sheet cake into a rocket shape by simply cutting off the corners of one side. Use white frosting on the whole cake and then decorate with blueberries and strawberries. Add a piece of licorice rope for the fuse.

Decorations: Aside from a real American flag, you can save a little money here by choosing birthday party décor from a party or dollar store. Red, white and blue streamers, plastic tablecloth and curling ribbon can be substituted for specific holiday decorations. Balloons are a nice, and unexpected, touch. If you don't have an American flag, this is a good time of the year to invest. Stores are often well-stocked in the week leading up to the holiday. As the day turns to night, turn on the party lights. Strings of mini lights, rope lighting or lanterns create a festive atmosphere. Change light bulbs to red or blue if desired.

Party favors: What is a birthday party without party favors? Fill decorated toilet paper rolls, or Pringles cans, with candy and then wrap in cellophane. Twist a pipe cleaner on either end to hold the wrapping in place. You can even send guests home with a balloon and a pack of sparklers.

Gift ideas: Plan on giving a birthday gift to the country. Enlist the help of your party guests, or decide on a meaningful gift amongst your family members. Some examples include providing food or funds for a veteran's hospital celebration, planting a tree or cleaning up the neighborhood. Invite guests to bring an item to put in a care package. Small non-perishable items can be sent overseas to cheer a serviceman. Include cards and pictures from kids and a thank you note from the adults.

More by Sylvie Branch:

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