How to Host the Best 4th of July BBQ

It’s that time of the year again—Fourth of July is right around the corner, and what that means is it’s time to dust off your grills because it’s party time! With a little bit of planning ahead of time even you can host a memorable party for everyone attending. Before we dive into our tips on how to prepare a fun Fourth of July get-together, let’s remind ourselves how this federal holiday came about. 

The Independence Day commemorates the day in American history when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen original colonies, who were until then British colonies, became free of British rule, and became the first states in the US. Today, the American flag proudly displays thirteen red and white stripes in the honor of the original colonies. 

There are a few things you can do to prepare a fun barbecue party for your friends and family to celebrate this nation. Firstly, determine the location, time of the event, and who will attend. Then make sure that you send invitations ahead of time. There may be other events that will coincide with yours, so the sooner you can get your invitations out, the more likely people will plan on attending your party. Once you have estimated the number of guests, you can focus on creating a menu. 

The Internet has plenty of ideas that embrace the spirit of the holiday with red, white, and blue recipes, especially for snacks, desserts, and signature cocktails. You can also ask guests to come with a side dish and save yourself from doing all the work. Write down a shopping list and buy everything ahead of time, so nobody has to leave to get things in the middle of the party. Stock up on a variety of drinks because it will likely be a hot day. Don’t forget to buy things like ice, sparklers, mosquito repellent, charcoal or propane, and ingredients for smores. 

THE DAY OF

On the day of the party wear a patriotic outfit and create a playlist for the background music filled with summer songs. Decorate your backyard with red, white, and blue colors and some flags. String lights are always a nice touch once it gets dark, and you can never go wrong with some 4^th of July themed plates and napkins. Make sure the grill is clean and meats are defrosted. Lay out snacks on serving boards (watermelon can be a very refreshing option). Have some kid-friendly snacks and drinks with easy access for the children. 

Do as much in advance as you can, so you don’t have to stress last-minute. If you want to go all out, prepare a game of American-themed trivia to entertain your guests and have some yard or board games at hand. Don’t fret where everybody will sit, just lay out some blankets on the grass to create additional picnic-style seating that won’t cost you a penny. Lastly, consider if there will be enough shade to provide refuge under the beaming sun.

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