The 4th of July is one of the most important and festive holidays in the United States. It marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the historic document that declared the 13 colonies free from British rule in 1776. Since then, Americans have celebrated this day with various traditions and activities, such as fireworks, parades, barbecues, and patriotic crafts.
But if you’re looking for some fresh and fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July this year, you might want to take some cues from the trendsetters. These are the people who are always ahead of the curve, who know how to make any occasion memorable and stylish. Here are some of the things that the 4th of July trendsetters are doing to enjoy this year’s holiday:
Hosting a Virtual Party
With the ongoing pandemic, many people are still cautious about gathering in large crowds or traveling long distances. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast with your friends and family on the 4th of July. Thanks to technology, you can host a virtual party that is just as fun and festive as a real one. All you need is a video conferencing app, such as Zoom or Skype, and some creative ideas to make your party stand out.
Some of the things you can do at your virtual party include:
Having a karaoke session with patriotic songs
Sharing your favorite 4th of July memories or photos
Having a costume contest with red, white, and blue outfits
Sending each other e-cards or gift cards
Game night. You can play online games together, such as Jackbox Party Pack, Heads Up!, Psych!, Among Us, Mario Kart, or any other game that supports multiplayer mode. You can also use platforms like AhaSlides to create your own quizzes, polls, and presentations. You can find some game night ideas here.
Virtual dance party. You can create a playlist that you can all sync up to, or use a service like Watch2Gether to stream music videos together. You can also hire a DJ or a dance instructor to spice up your party. You can find some virtual dance party tips here.
Book club brunch. You can choose a book to read and discuss with your friends over a video call, while enjoying some brunch food and drinks. You can also invite the author of the book to join your conversation, if possible. You can find some book club brunch ideas here.
Movie night. You can watch a movie or a show together using a service like Teleparty, which synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO. You can also make some popcorn and snacks, and share your reactions and opinions with your friends. You can find some movie night suggestions here.
Virtual dinner party. You can order food from the same restaurant or cook the same recipe, and enjoy it together over a video call. You can also have a virtual cooking or mixology class, where you learn how to make a dish or a drink from a professional chef or bartender. You can find some virtual dinner party ideas here.
Making a DIY Party
One of the most iconic and exciting parts of the 4th of July is watching fireworks light up the sky. But if you can’t go to public fireworks display or buy your own fireworks, you can still create your own DIY fun at home. All you need are some common household items, such as glow sticks, sparklers, balloons, confetti, or bubbles.
Some of the ways you can make your DIY party include:
Filling balloons with glow sticks and popping them in the dark
Waving sparklers in different shapes and patterns
Blowing bubbles with food coloring and popping them with a pin
Throwing confetti in the air or using a confetti cannon
Making firework art with paint and straws
Making a patriotic wreath with red, white, and blue fabric scraps and a wire hanger. You can find the tutorial here.
Painting mason jars with stars and stripes and using them as lanterns, vases, or utensil holders. You can find the instructions here.
Creating a festive banner with paper fans and star cutouts. You can find the steps here.
Crafting a windsock with a toilet paper roll, crepe paper, and star stickers. You can find the directions here.
Trying new recipes
Another essential part of the 4th of July is enjoying delicious food and drinks. But instead of sticking to the same old burgers and hot dogs, why not try something new and different this year? You can experiment with different cuisines, flavors, or ingredients, or even make your own versions of classic dishes.
Some of the new recipes you can try include:
Vegan BBQ ribs made with jackfruit
Red, white, and blue salad with strawberries, blueberries, feta cheese, and balsamic dressing
Patriotic popsicles made with yogurt, fruit puree, and honey
Spicy corn on the cob with chili powder, lime juice, and cotija cheese
Star-spangled sangria with white wine, sparkling water, and fruit slices
4th of July Patriotic Recipes from Allrecipes. This collection of recipes features flag cake, All-American potato salad, red, white, and blue cheesecake bars, and more. You can find the recipes here.
Patriotic Berry Trifle from Food Network. This dessert is made with layers of angel food cake, whipped cream, and fresh berries. It’s easy to make and looks stunning. You can find the recipe here.
Spicy Corn on the Cob with Chili Powder, Lime Juice, and Cotija Cheese from Eat This, Not That. This recipe adds some zing to the classic corn on the cob with a Mexican-inspired seasoning. It’s perfect for grilling and serving with your favorite meats. You can find the recipe here.
Patriotic Pizzas from Taste of Home. These mini pizzas are topped with cream cheese, blueberries, strawberries, and shredded cheese to create a flag design. They’re fun to make and eat, and kids will love them. You can find the recipe here.
Red, White, and Blue Berry Pie from Taste of Home. This pie is filled with blueberries, raspberries, and cherries, and has a lattice crust with star cutouts. It’s a delicious way to end your 4th of July meal. You can find the recipe here.
Playing Yard Games
Another great way to enjoy the 4th of July with family and friends is to set up your yard with some fun activities.
Patriotic Yard Bowling. You can make this DIY game by painting 10 empty cans with red, white, and blue colors. Then arrange them in a pyramid shape and use a ball to knock them down. You can find the instructions here.
Pickup Bottles. You can make this game by filling empty bottles with colored sand or beads. Then tie a metal ring or a jar lid with a long string to a wooden stick. Place the bottles on their sides inside hula hoops and try to stand them up using the ring. You can find the instructions here.
Giant Tic-Tac-Toe. You can make this game by using a burlap square and bean bags. Outline the game board with red or blue duct tape and use different colored bean bags as Xs and Os. You can find the instructions here.
Patriotic Scavenger Hunt. You can make this game by creating a list of patriotic items to find around the neighborhood or backyard, such as flags, nickels, red, white, and blue things, etc. Give each player or team a copy of the list and a bag to collect the items. The first one to find everything wins. You can find some ideas here.
Time to Race. You can make this game by organizing different types of races, such as potato sack race, three-legged race, egg-and-spoon race, etc. Use red, white, and blue items as props, such as garbage bags, ribbons, balloons, etc. You can find some ideas here.
These are just some of the ways that the 4th of July trendsetters are celebrating this year’s holiday. Of course, you can also mix and match these ideas or come up with your own. The most important thing is to have fun and be safe. Happy 4th of July!
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