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Entertaining

Easy Fourth of July Party Ideas

From festive star banners and refreshing watermelon coolers to rave-worthy party favors and more, your Fourth of July party is bound to be summer’s biggest shindig. Gather your friends and use these patriotic decorating, entertaining, and recipe ideas for this year’s Fourth of July celebration.

 

Party Decorations: Watermelon Carve-Outs

Juicy watermelon makes a sweet statement for any Fourth of July get-together. Using stencils and a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, carve festive notes as a celebratory memo. Display your assortment of various-shape watermelons on your porch, deck or even as a fun centerpiece for your snack table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Decorations: Simple Star Banner

A pretty swag adds instant party style. It’s a cinch to make: Cut out an equal number of stars from red and blue tagboard (use the first one as a guide for cutting the rest). Coat the stars with crafts glue and sprinkle with glitter; let dry. Add a grommet for hanging on one point of each star and string onto ribbon. Hang the garland to announce that the party starts here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Decorations: Fourth of July Flowers and Candles

Adorn your Independence Day table with cheery candles and darling vases wrapped in patriotic paper. All you need are scissors, colorful paper, clear candle holders, a vase and adhesive. Add to the festiveness with a customized matchbox wrapped in coordinated paper.

 

Party Activity: Soak Up the Sun

Have a low-key, go-barefoot, splash-in-the-lake kind of day this July Fourth. Set out festive lounge chairs, beach towels and other summer essentials to help make your party relaxing and enjoyable. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

 

 

 

 

 

Party Activity: Build Sandcastles

A beautiful beach and some summer sun are all you need for the perfect Independence Day celebration. Build sandcastles, then top the peaks with American flags for a festive finish.

 

 

 

 

Party Favor: Apple-Berry Pie in a Jar

Bake these adorable apple-berry pies, then send them home with your guests for a sweet way to end your Fourth of July bash. All you need are fresh berries, sugar-brushed pastries and cute canning jars. Use a simple star cutout to add extra flair.

Apple-Berry Pie in a Jar Recipe

Makes 6 servings

Prep: 50 minutes

Bake: 40 minutes

 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Pastry, below
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 pounds apples and/or pears, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoonsall-purpose flour
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 cupraspberries and/or blueberries
  • Milk
  • Coarse orgranulated sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375° Prepare Pastry. Divide the two-thirds portion into six equal portions. Place a portion into each of six 1-cup wide-mouth canning jars. Press the dough evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of each jar. Set the jars aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples (and/or pears); cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt. Cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Fold in berries. Spoon 1/2 cup of the fruit mixture into each pastry-lined jar.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the remaining one-third portion of pastry into a 13-inch circle. Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut out six pastry circles. Using a small cutter, cut desired shape in the center of each circle.
  • Place a pastry circle on top of the fruit mixture in each jar. Press the pastry around the inside of the jar rim. Lightly brush the pastry and cutout with milk; place the cutout on top of the pastry, pressing gently. Sprinkle the pastry with sugar. (Alternately, cut desired shapes from the pastry circle and arrange the shapes on top of the fruit mixture. Brush the shapes with milk and sprinkle with sugar.)
  • Place the jars in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake until the pastry is golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Pastry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/4 cup butter, cut up
  • 2-3 tablespoons water
  • 1/2-2/3 cup ice water

Pastry Directions

  • Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in shortening and butter with a pastry blender until the pieces are pea size. Sprinkle water over part of the flour mixture; toss with a fork. Push the moistened pastry to the side of the bowl. Repeat moistening the flour mixture with 1 tablespoon of water at a time, until the whole mixture is moistened. Gather the pastryinto a ball, kneading gently until it holds together. Divide into two portions: one-third of the dough and two-thirds of the dough.

Party Favor: Fourth of July Coasters

Awe your Independence Day party guests with these celebratory coasters. To make them you’ll need a color printer, white card stock, scissors, 4-inch-diameter round chipboard coasters, spray adhesive and a matte-finish clear spray. Choose festive designs and print them on card stock. Cut out the designs. Spray the coasters with spray adhesive and press the cut-out designs onto the coasters to adhere. Spray with clear finish and let dry.

 

 

 

 

 

Table Setting: Numbered Napkins

These personalized napkins are a clever and inexpensive way for guests to keep track of their drinks. How to make them? Well, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply use iron-on numbers at the corner of each cocktail napkin and say goodbye to annoying mix-ups.

 

 

 

 

 

Table Setting: Watermelon-Mint Cooler

Greet guests with ice-cold glasses of fizzy watermelon sippers. Using red and blue tumblers, a large ice-filled cooler and a large jug, you can create a festive Fourth of July display. Place it in a common area of the party for guests to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watermelon-Mint Cooler Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4pounds seedless watermelon, chopped (5 cups)
  • 1/4cup fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
  • 1/2cup sugar, divided
  • 1/2cup water, divided
  • 1/2cup fresh lime juice
  • 3/4teaspoon aromatic bitters
  • 4 - 5cups ginger ale, chilled

Directions

  • Place watermelon in a blender; puree until smooth. Place mint leaves and 1/4 cup sugar in a small heatproof bowl; mash with a wooden spoon. Add 1/4 cup water and microwave on High until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mint leaves to the blender with the watermelon (leave the sugar mixture in the bowl). Blend until the mint is finely chopped.
  • Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water to the reserved sugar mixture. Microwave until the sugar dissolves into a syrup, 1 to 2 minutes. Cover and chill.
  • To serve, strain the watermelon mixture into an ice-filled pitcher or jar. Stir in the chilled syrup, lime juice and bitters. Divide the mixture among ice-filled glasses; top with ginger ale. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Table Setting: Watermelon Fruit Kebabs

A fresh assortment of sweet melon kebabs creates an all-star look for any Independence Day party table. Skip the expensive bowl and use half of a carved-out watermelon instead. To make the kebabs, cut melons with mini cookie cutters and thread onto skewers for a starry display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Setting: Cherry Bombs

Dress up drinks with cherry-laced ice cubes and faux fireworks. Simply roll red scrapbooking paper around a wooden skewer, then adhere with double-stick tape. Use scissors to cut festive fringe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Setting: Flag Centerpiece

Tiny flag party picks become a wow-worthy centerpiece with the help of a few simple DIY tools. Cover a foam wreath form with crepe paper, then add flag picks until the wreath is completely covered. Complete the festive centerpiece with a glass hurricane and your favorite candle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Setting: Sporty Centerpiece

Any open basket works to make this easy centerpiece. Just fill with decorative grass, baseballs and red and blue croquet balls. A few tiny flags add festive flair.

Festive Food: Hawaiian Burger

Fire up summer’s biggest shindig with a thick, juicy burger hot off the grill. Ours features pineapple, sweet onion, bacon, fresh tomatoes and melty cheese.

Hawaiian Burger

Servings: 8

Prep: 20 minutes

Grill: 14-16 minutes

 

 

 

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 cup crumbled blue cheese (4 ounces)
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1/2 cup diced ham
  • 1 2.8-ounce package cooked bacon pieces
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 8 slices sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 8 hamburger buns or plain bagel thins
  • Lettuce leaves (optional)
  • 2 medium tomatoes, sliced (optional)
  • 1 medium sweet onion, sliced (optional)
  • Preheat a charcoal or gas grill.
  • Combine beef, blue cheese, onion, pineapple, ham, bacon, pepper and garlic powder in a very large bowl; mix well. Shape the meat mixture into eight 1-inch-thick patties.
  • For a charcoal grill, place patties on the grill rack directly over medium coals. Grill, covered, for 12 to 14 minutes or until done (160-165°F), turning once halfway through grilling. Top the burgers with Cheddar cheese. Continue to grill, covered, until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. (For a gas grill, place patties on grill rack over medium heat. Cover; grill as directed.) Serve the burgers on buns. If desired, top with lettuce, tomato and onion.

Festive Food: Hibiscus Honey Tea

Refresh your Fourth of July crowd with a chilly glass of this bright ruby-red tea that matches the tartness of hibiscus flowers with sweet cinnamon sticks and a spoonful of honey. This rejuvenating tea will go fast in the summer sun, so be sure to make two pitchers.

Hibiscus Honey Tea

Servings: 12

Serving Size: 8 ounces

Prep: 15 minutes

Cool: 2 hours

 

Ingredients

  • 2 oranges
  • 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers (1 3/4 oz.)
  • 12 inches stick cinnamon, broken
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 14 cups boiling water
  • Ice

Directions

  • Remove the peel from the oranges using a vegetable peeler (be sure not to include the bitter white pith) and place in a very large heatproof bowl. Squeeze the juice from the oranges; refrigerate until needed. Add hibiscus flowers, cinnamon and honey to the bowl with the orange peel. Pour in boiling water and stir. Let cool to room temperature (about 2 hours). Strain into a very large pitcher; stir in the reserved orange juice. Serve at once over ice or cover and chill up to 24 hours.

Festive Food: Skillet White Beans

Delicious baked beans are bound to be a party-time favorite. Chop yellow and red tomatoes and place them on top for a yummy and pretty touch.

Skillet White Beans

Servings: 12

Prep: 25 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

 

 

 

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Maui, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or maple-flavor syrup
  • 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh sage, plus whole leaves for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 15.5-ounce cans navy beans, rinsed
  • 2 15.5-cans butter beans, rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
  • Chopped yellow, redand/or green tomatoes for garnish

Directions

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender and browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in maple syrup, vinegar (or lemon juice), brown sugar, sage, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Add navy beans, butter beans and chickpeas; stir to coat.
  • Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally,until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl. If desired, top with tomatoes and sage leaves.

Festive Food: Berry Patchwork Tart

Brighten up your Fourth of July bash with a berry-embellished tart. Use a variety of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries to create playful, patriotic squares, then drizzle with fresh honey-mint syrup to finish.

Berry Patchwork Tart

Servings: 12

Prep: 20 minutes

Chill: 2 hours

Bake: 12 minutes

 

 

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces refrigerated crescent dough
  • 1/2 cup honey, plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed mint or basil leaves
  • 2/3 cup mascarpone or cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup whipping cream
  • 6 cups berries (red and/or golden raspberries, blueberries, blackberriesand halved or sliced small strawberries), not mixed together

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375° Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with heavy foil, extending the foil beyond the pan edges. Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray. Press dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup honey, water and mint (or basil) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand to cool. Strain the syrup, discarding the herbs. Set aside.
  • Stir together mascarpone and the remaining 2 tablespoons honey in a medium bowl.(If using cream cheese, beat until smooth, then beat in honey.) Beat whipping cream in a chilled mixing bowl until soft peaks form; gradually fold into the cheese mixture. Spread the cheese mixture onto the cooled  Use the tip of a knife to mark two lengthwise lines and three crosswise lines, forming 12 squares.
  • Keeping berries separated in bowls according to type, toss each cup of berries with about 1 tablespoon syrup of the syrup. Spoon about 1/2 cup berries onto each square. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Drizzle with the remaining syrup, if desired.
  • Lifting the foil edges, transfer the tart to a serving platter. Serve immediately or chill for up to 4 hours. The tart is best when served the same day it is prepared.

Festive Food: Summer Dogs

Grilled hot dogs are a must for any Fourth of July bash. We top ours mile-high with fresh garden veggies, such as vinegar-tossed tomatoes, crunchy corn kernels, lettuce and onion for a refreshingly tangy topper.

Summer Dogs

Servings: 8

Start to Finish: 25 minutes

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup grilled corn kernels
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion (1 small)
  • 1/3 cup snipped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon sugar
  • 8 frankfurters or smoked chicken, kielbasaor bratwurst sausage links
  • 8 frankfurter buns, split
  • 2 2/3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium avocado, thinly sliced
  • Sliced fresh jalapeño peppers (optional)
  • Dry-roasted sunflower kernels (optional)

Directions

  • Preheat a charcoal or gas grill.
  • Combine corn, onion, basil, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a small bowl.
  • Place frankfurters (or sausage) on the rack of a covered grill directly over medium heat. Grill,turning occasionally, until heated through, 3 to 7 minutes. Remove from grill. If desired, place 8 frankfurter buns, cut-sides down, on grill rack. Grill until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Fill each bun with 1/3 cup shredded lettuce. Arrange tomato slices on one side of the buns and avocado slices on the other side. Place the grilled frankfurters in the buns and top each with about 1 tablespoon of the corn mixture. If desired, sprinkle with jalapeños and sunflower kernels. Pass the remaining corn mixture.

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