Host a Fireworks-Watching Party That's an Absolute Blast
Grilled hot dogs, family poolside gatherings, backyard BBQs, fresh potato salad, patriotic streamers, and of course, fireworks all make the Fourth of July something worth celebrating. This year, before leaning back in the lawn chair to witness the night sky implode with a series of colorful explosions, you may want to consider hosting your own fireworks watching party. After all, the days leading up to America's birthday will be booming with firework shows ranging from Philadelphia, Nashville, New York, and your own backyard.
Send Out Sparkling Invitations
Red, white, and blue clip-art will make it a summer breeze when creating sparkler-inspired invitations so all are welcome to attend the fireworks extravaganza.
[MAKE THESE: Fourth of July Clip-Art Invitations]
Light Up the Night
Your friends will be seeing stars — literally. In the twilight hours leading up to total darkness right before the fireworks come to play you'll need a bit of light. Add a festive glow to your firework watch soirée with these sparklers packaged as party favors. Don't forget matching matchboxes (adults only) that are packaged with cute catchphrases.
[PRINT THESE: Fourth of July Sparkler Packages Clip-Art]
Serve Up This American Pie
What's the saying? As American as... pizza pie? Keep things easy — and easily impressive — with this patriotic pizza. Topped with tomatoes, cheese, and blue potatoes, it's made to look just like the American flag (and everyone will want a slice.) To pair with it, prepare a quenching pitcher of watermelon cucumber cooler or pop the cork off a glittered champagne bottle.
Display the Red, White, and Blue
It's America's birthday! Now is the time to pull out all the stops, patriotically speaking. Display your American flag, luminous paper lanterns, balloons that pop with confetti, and brass star ornaments. (Extra better: have them serve double duty when the sun goes down as party lights.) It's also fun to use fireworks as inspiration for the decor as done here: Inexpensive and readily available, spider mums can be tinted to look like fireworks. Group blooms of different colors in assorted vessels for a dazzling display.
[GET THE HOW-TO: Fiery Flowers Display]
Show Your Star-Spangled Spirit
Just in case your guests are hungry with fireworks anticipation, hold them off with their own DIY whimsical pom-poms to shake and cheer all evening long.
[MAKE THESE: Fourth of July Pom-Poms]
Upstage the Fireworks with Your Own Sparkling Dessert
After the evening's fireworks have fizzled, serving a patriotic berry truffle with twinkling sparklers on top will be the perfect encore to a celebratory summer evening.
[GET THE RECIPE: Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifle]
Feeling inspired? Watch how to recreate three sparkler-inspired party ideas:
