Whether you’re enjoying an intimate gathering or hosting your first big bash of the year, these fun and family friendly ideas will ensure your Independence Day celebrations are a blast for everyone!

Decorate The Entrance

Decorating your front porch or front entrance is an excellent way to set a festive tone for your gathering. As your guests enter your home, they will immediately be greeted with a taste of what’s to come. Plus, these vibrant patriotic hues will put just about anyone in a happy mood.

Invest In Cloth Napkins

If you celebrate the 4th every year, consider investing in patriotic cloth napkins rather than the go-to disposable ones. Not only are they better for the environment since they can be used year after year, but they also elevate your gathering with a more substantial and grown up feel. Given the choice, I would use a cloth napkin over a paper napkin any day!

Try Patriotic Water

Consider this festive take on the regular water dispenser. Simply cut watermelon pieces using a star shaped cookie cutter. Add blueberries, strawberries and perhaps some mint leaves to your water dispenser and voila! A colorful and much more environmentally friendly alternative to serving plastic water bottles at your BBQ! Serve any remaining fruit pieces on a platter for your guests.

Set The Table

Any gathering is an excellent excuse to put in a little extra effort on your tablescape. Even with a holiday as traditionally casual as Independence Day, you can still pull off a great looking table. Eating outside? No problem! Decorate the table where the food is being served even if your guests will be dispersed throughout your yard as they eat. It will make the food you are serving look that much tastier!

Decorate With Flowers

As fun as all of those party decorations can be, don’t forget that flowers always have a place at any event! It’s easy to find varieties with patriotic hues (think hydrangeas for blue and white as well as geraniums, carnations and roses for red) and you can keep things casual by choosing a simple vase to display them in.

Keep The Food Simple

This is one holiday where your guests are expecting casual. Give the people what they want! Who doesn’t love a good cookout filled with old and familiar favorites? If you are itching to create something new, play around with the side dishes while keeping some of the grilling staples your guests love. Just look how patriotic these simple foods can be!