As we all know there is a lot going on right now in the world if you’re reading this in summer 2020. However, that just means we should really be focusing on smaller moments of happiness or celebrations to bring the joy back and make us excited again.
And do you know what is right around the corner… July 4th!
It’s important to make sure that in times of stress you do give yourself and your family breaks from the added pressures that surround us. And one way to do that is to throw yourself a little July 4th fiesta!
So let’s take this opportunity to inject some laughter and love back into our home lives. Just because the current status for the world is heavy, doesn’t mean we have to be fighting battles 24/7. I for one, know the exhaustion that can cause and I’ve already discussed in previous posts the importance for self care, breaks, and more.
I know some may not look at it as a holiday and that’s okay. But you should be able to take the opportunity regardless, and simply take the day to rest, spend time with your family, and laugh again. That is what we all need right now. So let’s look at some ideas to make it fun!
*Standard July 4th Prep
With any celebration at the moment, practicing appropriate social distancing is key. States have slowly begun to open up again, however that doesn’t mean we do not practice the recommended health and safety precautions. This is especially important for the older members of your family. And this will come into play when planning your July 4th shindig or your family day.
Let’s take a look at a few of the key elements to consider when planning your fiesta. (Fiesta for those who don’t know just means party ).
1. Location! Location! Location!
The first thing to consider is going to be your location. If you’re going to have a gathering of more than 5 people, I very strongly recommend that it be hosted outside. Again, it’s just better to be safe than sorry and having enough room to social distance is key.
Plus! We have beautiful summer weather at the moment so why not take advantage?
This is the perfect time for an outdoor bbq or perhaps a pool party if you’re lucky. You can also do a campfire, bonfire, or picnic. All wonderful suggestions! But do remember to bring your bug spray. Or if you’ll be hosting in your backyard, there’s nothing better than a citronella candle. A couple of those and everyone will be more focused on the food and drinks than possible mosquito bites.
But yes, try and create an outdoor atmosphere where people can enjoy each others company safely.
2. Treats!
The next thing you’ll want to start planning are the types of treats you’ll have at your bash. This will include, food, drinks, and desserts.
If you’re planning on having kids there, which I think for the most part everyone does, you’ll want to plan some kid friendly finger food items as well.
Some of the best things that go over at casual outdoor parties are going to be things you can eat with your hands. Why? It’s easier for someone to grab something they want, walk around, snack a little later again and so on.
These items will include the traditional hot dogs, hamburgers, shish kebabs, fruit kebabs, chips and salsa, pretzels, etc. This is also the general make up of any kids menu, so your little ones will be happy as well with full tummies and ready to play. Meaning they will be tugging at your side less. Hooray for hotdogs!
The other really neat thing is that there are so many options of vegan hot dogs or patties now that even the vegetarians can get in on the fun.
This does not mean that you shouldn’t have foods that steer away from the traditional. To be honest, my family is much less traditional. We always had rice and beans, chicken, salad, lots of roasted veggies (I’m a pescatarian :)) and more! And it was absolutely delicious! I would actually much rather opt for this kind of food than the other. But just keep in mind you will need seating and table tops for each of your guests. It’s hard to walk around with full plates like these that require a knife and fork.
You can also opt for themed food, which the kiddos will love!! Being that it’s July 4th, you’ll want to focus on a few red, white, and blue goodies. Some things you can make are an American flag themed cake or cupcakes, which is easy to do with frosting or fruit. Just as easy to make are red/white/blue fruit kebabs. We make themed food like this in the preschool all the time and the kids have a blast with it.
Next will be the cocktails. You should have a stocked bar, and a cooler full of the obligatory beer and white claws or trulys, but it’s nice to add a festive touch. It shows a little more effort and helps pull the celebration together.
Two really easy drinks to make, which take almost no effort are red/white/blue wine spritzers or red/white/blue/ vodka sodas. Follow the regular recipe for both, which are also almost identical, just substitute the wine for the vodka, and throw in the leftover colored fruit from the dessert. Bing Bang Done! Easy, festive, and delicious!
Of course there are many other drinks you can make with actual flavored liqueur such as blue curaçao or aperol, or whatever tickles your fancy. But I very much enjoy a cleaner crisper flavor. You can also opt for the lovely daiquiri, which can come in all kinds of colors, but again, I’m more of a seltzer girl.
3. Kid-friendly Crafts
The next thing you’ll want to handle are the decorations if you’re going to have any. And this will be the perfect project for your kids!! I would recommend doing some before the party so you can hang them up, but definitely have a crafts table for the kids at the party as well. It will give them something to do that’s fun and festive, and keeps them busy while you converse.
The following are some wonderful ideas that proven fun at the preschool and I would love to recommend for you.
Paper Plate Flag: You’ll want to consider your materials depending on when this craft will be done. You can either use finger paints, crayons and markers, or strips of construction paper with glue. If you’re doing it before the party then getting a little messy with finger paints is super fun for your kids. I would recommend this. The joy on their faces will be endless. The plates only take a day to dry and will be ready to hang up the next day.
If you’re doing it during the bbq at the kids crafts table, I would give them the 2nd or 3rd option of materials (crayons/markers, or paper strips and glue). It’s less of a management headache and they can really create whatever they’d like. Just make the colors accessible to them. And if you really don’t want any headache during the party, instead of glue bottle use a glue stick, or opt just for the crayons and markers on a paper plate.
Pattern Color Links: These links are so much fun and can be used on so many different occasions. We used to do them for Christmas but because you can make them with any color they are easily adaptable to any occasion. For July 4th use red/white/blue, or if you’re just doing a family celebration, do whatever colors your little kids hearts desire.
For this you’ll want the color construction paper already cut into thick strips. Thicker strips hold up better. That way the children can focus on picking whichever color they want and weaving them through one another to create the chain. Super easy setup, super easy clean up.
Toilet Paper Streamers: The next craft will take a little extra planning since it’ll be using recycled toilet paper rolls. Gather up a few empty toilet paper rolls. You can also use a paper towel roll and cut it in half. But you will need a good handful.
If you’re doing this craft with your kids before the party, I would suggest using paint to cover the rolls because the color pay off is much better. Then take strips of red/white/blue construction paper and simply glue them around the bottom of the toilet paper roll. Once they dry you can hang them up and their little streamers will blow in the breeze.
If you’re having this craft available for the kids during the party, you can paint the rolls the day before and have them dry in time for the party. The kids can also use crayons and markers to color their roll before adding the colored paper strips with glue.
Paper Lanterns: This craft is somewhat similar to the one above and is somewhat intended for older children depending on how you set it up. Lay out sheets of red, white, and blue construction paper and have the kids design it all over. They can use stickers, markers, glitter and glue, whatever they’d like to make it festive.
Once it’s sufficiently decorated by their standards, have them fold the paper in half so the paper is wider rather than tall. Once they have folded it, they can cut snips all around the folded edge. But make sure they are careful! You don’t want them cutting all the way through or you’ll just have bits of cut up paper. You can see what I mean now when saying it can be easier for older kids.
However, to make it easily doable for your preschooler as well, simply do the snips yourself before they decorate it. Then once they are done decorating, roll the paper so the ends meet, tape it, et voila! You have your own paper lanterns!
The lanterns can be done before the party so you have some to hang up as decoration and during as long as the materials are manageable.
Finger Paint Fireworks: The last craft is more of one you would do just for your household. If you chose to hang it up for the party that’s up to you. It’s just one the preschoolers love so much so I know it’d be a hit at home as well.
Use a white construction paper and have your child dip their finger in red paint and slowly drag it across the paper to make streaks. Follow the process with blue paint, and end with white paint. Now, before the paint dries, and here’s where it gets extra fun, you can add a touch of glitter to give it the “fireworks” excitement.
I would not recommend this craft to occur during the party just because it does take a lot of parent support and you want to be able to enjoy the party as well. But a few days before is great!
*Summary
And there you have it! A few things to get you inspired, and planning for your July 4th celebration. And if you’re not into July 4th, you can still use all the tips to plan a lovely family fiesta as well. Simply change the colors up a bit for the decor and treats, and you have one fun day planned.
Above all it’s important that we really take this opportunity to spend time with our loved ones. Regardless of the holidays that are coming over the summer, spending time with our families should be at the forefront. There is so much fire in the world right now when what we should be spreading is love, kindness, and happiness. Start with yourself. Be the example. And allow that to spread to your whole family.
I hope everyone has a lovely and festive holiday regardless of what your celebrating, and lets see how these crafts and goodies are in action! I’d love to see how they worked out for you or if you have any fun party tips for your fellow parents.
And as always, If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please share them in the comments section below. And definitely subscribe to the newsletter for updates and ongoing happenings at TylekTeaches.com. The subscription link is just at the bottom of this post.
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