Nothing says 'Murica like the whiff of hotdogs on the grill in the backyard, the excited screams of children running across the lawn with water guns, and fireworks shooting overhead. As we wish America a happy birthday, here are some fun Fourth of July celebration hacks to enrich your gathering with family and friends.
1) Get creative with strawberries and blueberries
Blueberries and strawberries are the perfect Fourth of July fruits to use as toppings and ingredients for cakes, smoothies and even yummy DIY popsicles. Accompanied by whipped cream or white icing, these can make the perfect little desert or fruit salad for the occasion.
2) Use toothpicks and bamboo skewers
Burgers and hot dogs can be messy, as many of our once-white clothes now know. To help keep your sandwiches (and your life) together, try using toothpicks or bamboo skewers.
3) Keep drinks fresh with frozen 3D cubes
Instead of using ice that will alter the taste of your drink once melted, try to freeze cubes of the drink you will be serving, instead. That way, your drink will stay zesty and cold, rather than watered-down and cold. For a 3D effect, add in small pieces of fruit into the ice tray to make cool 3D cubes.
4) Make these easy, cute condiment holders
Hollow out red peppers to serve ranch and other dips or condiments in. This will reduce dishes significantly and add a nice touch to your salad or burger bar. Plus, that bright red is the perfect pop of color you need for your gathering.
5) Make your own adorable fruit bowl
Hollow out a watermelon to make an easy-to-clean up fruit bowl. Place your fruit salad inside the watermelon. Then, use the top of the watermelon that was initially carved out as a lid to keep flies away. To make a cute handle for easier access, hot glue a drawer knob to the "bowl lid" and you will have your very own adorable fruit bowl, with covering!
6) Create easy backdrops for pics
Capture pictures for memories with family and friends by making a creative backdrop for pictures. Start with a white disposable plastic table cloth and some washable kid-friendly paint, and some accessories, like glitter. Then, kids and adults can use their creativity to make a Fourth-of-July-inspired backdrop. String a line across two trees and use clothes pins or tape to secure the creative backdrop in place while you say "Cheese!"
7) Prepare for wind
With any outside gathering, there is always the possibility of breezes taking a hold of your items. To avoid wind annoyances, secure all table cloths under the table with some good 'ole duck tape, (or any tape, really). This will prevent the cloth from taking flight during a good meal. For other light-weight items, like napkins, secure a large rubber band around the stack for keeping them in place and for easy retrieval.
8) Watch fireworks from the back of a pickup
Watching fireworks from the back of a pickup can be a romantic or family-fun way to enjoy your night. Start by making the space comfortable. You can line the pickup bed with sleeping pads, yoga mats, or anything springy-soft that will encase the hard surface. Then, spread blankets, sleeping bags, or a comforter across the entire interior. Prop pillows up along the edge, and make space for your loved ones, as you all lean back and enjoy the display together.
