The traditional Fourth of July party follows a fairly rote formula: You've got your grill. Some chips. Burgers to be cooked on said grill. End-of-the-evening explosives. And, if you're feeling particularly festive, some America-themed streamers. Give the summer's biggest holiday a modern upgrade with these 10 party ideas, which offer a new take on the red, white, and blue festivities.
1. Tone down the color.
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Fourth of July may be a good opportunity to decorate with your boldest reds and blues, but a muted palette can feel just as festive. This beachy celebration from Tone It Up updates the holiday with washed-out denim blues.
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2. Give your drinks some wiggle room.
Please both kids and adults alike with these flag-themed Jell-O cups from Cincy Shopper. Keep them straight-up sugary for mixed barbecues, or add a little liquor for some grown-up fun.
3. Glam up your tablescape.
Blue-and-white pottery may remind you of grandma's house, but Delftware and its ilk turned this Fourth of July soiree into an evening of elegance. Gal Meets Glam paired these sea-blue salad plates with matching dinner plates, and a crisp white tablecloth to create a chic tablescape.
4. Upgrade your cutlery.
Throwing a casual backyard barbecue doesn't mean you can't upgrade your decor. Use custom napkin wrappers and printed napkins to make your celebration seem cohesive — and they'll even make plastic cutlery feel special. Find these easy-to-use printables at Evermine.
5. Cut out some sweet stars.
Crisp, cold fruit can be the perfect antidote to a hot Fourth of July afternoon. Use cookie cutters to turn watermelon and strawberries into the stars of the show — quite literally. Paired with blueberries and a navy-striped tablecloth, these sweet treats set a festive mood.
6. Host a hot dog bar.
Skip the hot dog debate (Chicago-style? Relish? Everything?) at your Fourth of July throw down by letting everyone build their dog as they please. I Heart Naptime dressed up their condiment bottles and set out a wide array of toppings to make every partygoer happy.
7. Plate your s'mores properly.
Once they're cooked, it's hard to give s'mores a beautiful, Top Chef-worthy plating. (Burnt marshmallow isn't known for being easy to work with.) But with the aid of a metal french fry holder, you can make the ingredients look gorgeous beforehand.
8. Set up a festive backdrop.
Make a photo-ready Fourth of July backdrop by arranging red, white, and blue balloons in the shape of the American flag. Ella Claire Inspired finished the look with actual American flags arranged in a vase filled with red peonies.
9. Keep your beverages festive.
Sip your favorite sparkling beverage through these patriotic, watercolor straw flags. To keep the American flag flying high for your own party drinks, follow the instructions at Oh Happy Day.
10. Shower your guests with confetti.
Leave the fireworks to the professionals. These DIY confetti poppers from Style Me Pretty double as decor, and they're surprisingly easy to assemble (no explosives required).