The 4^th of July is fast approaching but don’t fret! Our tips for throwing a great party will make your get together a sensation.

Tip #1 Patriotic décor is a must.

One of the best ways to show your patriotism is by decorating your space appropriately. A quick and easy way to do that is by using red and navy accent pillows on your patio furniture. Another way to express your pride is by purchasing red, white, and blue outdoor furniture. Not only will it look great for the 4^th but all summer long. Nothing is more American than Adirondack style furniture. These chairs are even American made and created using recycled plastic so not only will you achieve fantastic style but you’ll be supporting the American economy.

If you are looking for a DIY project and want to stay earth friendly, you can take some old cans, such as coffee cans or soup cans and turn them into planters or centerpieces. Clean the cans thoroughly and peel off their labels. Next you simply paint them to create a flag effect, and voila! You have a beautiful center piece.

Tip #2 Keep the food simple.

Do you know what food everybody loves on the 4^th? Hamburgers and hotdogs. They are a classic standby that helps any 4^th of July party to feel authentic. It also doesn’t hurt that these classics are easy to throw on a grill and not too time consuming to cook, so you can focus on enjoying your holiday weekend and not on all the food you need to prepare. Set up your burgers and hotdogs buffet style with all the condiments your guests will want.

Tip #3 Dessert is your time to shine.

By keeping the main course simple you have time to focus on desserts. After scouring Pinterest, I found some great recipes for 4^th of July desserts that not only taste great but look festive too. One idea is red, white, and blue rice Krispies treats. So simple and so fun! All you need to do is create a batch separates into three bowls and use food coloring to dye the treats a different color. Then layer them accordingly.  If you’re looking to create something a bit more elaborate, you could do chocolate covered strawberries. Use white chocolate and blue sprinkles to create a delicious, mouthwatering dessert that Uncle Sam would be proud of.

If you want to have a healthier treat this holiday think about using fruit. You can have the great fresh taste without all the guilt. Simply take blueberries, bananas, and strawberries to create a flag shaped dessert. Cut up bananas and strawberries. Then arrange them into stripes to look like Old Glory. Add in a square of blueberries to finish our flag.

Tip #4 Have activities to keep the kids engaged.

Kids will be so excited for the fireworks why not try and burn off some of that energy with a bike parade? Ask your guests with children if they wouldn’t mind bringing their bike along. You can pick up different patriotic decorations at your local dollar store along with some candy for the children to throw to their adoring fans. For small children that also want to participate, strollers and powered riding cars work well too.

Once it gets dark sparklers are always a favorite for kids and are great to have on hand, but for children too young you can create your own safe fireworks. Simply take a used plastic bottle, and pour silver, red, and blue glitter into the bottom. Next fill the bottle with water leaving about an inch of air at the top. Screw the cap back onto the bottle and tape it for good measure. Shake it and watch the colors swirl like real fireworks. You now have a “safe fireworks” show for the smallest tots, that will amuse them for hours.

Tip #5 Safety first.

Of course, we want everyone to have a safe 4^th of July. Here’s what we recommend.

Have a sun supply station. Fingers crossed it will a beautiful sunny day but with the sun comes sunburn. So why not do your best to protect your skin. Have a designated area for sunscreen. Along with sunscreen, consider providing some bug spray and aloe. Your guests will thank you later.

Fireworks are an exciting part of most 4^th of July celebrations. It is important to keep in mind how dangerous fireworks can be. Make sure that you are purchasing your fireworks from a reliable source and always have some water nearby in case of emergency. For more safety tips check out the National Council of Fireworks Safety.

With these tips we know that you will have a fun-filled and safe 4^th of July weekend. From all of here at East Coast Chair & Barstool thank you to all of our service men and women and who have sacrificed so much to gives us freedom and the time to kick back and relax in an Adirondack chair this 4^th of July. Happy Independence Day!