Backyard barbecues and family gatherings define each summer. Make sure you're at the top of your party-throwing game with a quick look at a few themed ideas.
If you're throwing a July 4th bash, think tea, as in a Boston tea party.
"Having a Boston tea party for the Fourth of July has all the ingredients not only to be fun, but educational - and it gives us a chance to remember what the holiday is really about," says Diane Carbo, the Cliffside, N.J.-based owner Your Cup of Tea.
Read on for more patriotic and family-focused inspiration.
1) Pick a theme
Start by dressing up in a costume to deliver the invitations, Carbo says. Invite your guests to come in costume, with a prize for the best outfit. Create a game of "history jeopardy" with colonial era facts for both kids and adults for July 4th, or a game of 20 questions about the birthday guest of honor. End the evening with fireworks, sparklers or a lot of birthday candles.
2) Set the scene
If July 4th is your cup of tea, Debra Delaney, the Barrington, Ill.-based owner of Memorable Entertaining, says that an elegant yet patriotic atmosphere can be created with a white, red or blue tablecloth. Spray paint terra-cotta pots in a contrasting color of either red, white or blue and fill with white daisies or red flowers. Apply star appliqués to the outside of the pots. Or fill small buckets with sand, place a pillar candle in the middle and surround the base of the candle with small flags inserted in the sand.
3) Heat things up
"Fourth of July means barbecue," Delaney says. And if the holiday slips by, no worries - there is always a good reason to light up the grill. Cook up burgers, brats, hotdogs, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp. Sides can be party favorites like potato salad, coleslaw, roasted corn on the cob and baked beans.
4) Can the cost
"Eliminate canned soft drinks and beer and wine with larger thermoses of lemonade, punch and flavored waters," says Greg Jenkins, a partner in Bravo Productions, a Long Beach, Calif.-based event planning company. "The costs of canned beverages can be substantial in particular for large summer parties." For a patriotic touch, Delaney suggests using star ice cube trays with combination of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry puree to create red and blue ice cubes.
5) Go potluck
To save money, consider hosting summer gatherings with other people, Jenkins says. "Not only does it save everyone time and frustration, it may serve as a means to avoid using a professional event company," he says.
6) Get ready to play
Entertain guests with old-fashioned games, Carbo says, like hop scotch, leap frog, tag, bowling on the grass, hot potato and marbles. "For the older kids you may include bobbing for apples, three-legged races and even a gunny sack race. These can be some fun activities for all ages."
7) Dig in
Don't forget dessert. Whip up a local specialty, a family favorite or experiment with a new dish, like Warren Brown's Cherry Trifle from his new book "United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2010).
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Cherry Trifle
For the sugared cherries
2 pints cherries, washed and pitted
1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
For the sugar syrup
1 1/2 cups superfine granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
For the whipped cream
3 cups whipping or heavy cream
1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. To make the sugared cherries, combine the ingredients in a large bowl and toss to blend. Refrigerate for 2 hours, strain, and reserve the liquid.
2. While the cherries are chilling, make the Amazing Vanilla Cake.
3. To make the sugar syrup, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove and let cool.
4. When the sugared cherries, the cake and the sugar syrup are ready to use, wash and dry a deep glass trifle bowl.
5. To make the whipped cream, bring the ingredients to a soft peak using a standing mixer fitted with a wire whip attachment or hand beaters. Stop the mixer and whip by hand with a balloon whisk until the cream shows a slightly thick body. It should not be at all stiff.
