It’s almost time to celebrate America’s birthday! The 4^th of July is right around the corner, and it’s time to start party planning. Being patriotic is an integral part of being American, so here are a few ideas for food, drinks, and décor, to give your party some red, white and blue flair!

Food and Drink Ideas:

Rocket Dogs– These wrapped hot dogs are a super easy, and fun recipe. Especially if you are having kids at your 4^th of July party, this is a great way to please any crowd. Simply use premade dough from canned rolls, stretch the dough out and cut each pre-sized roll in half. Wrap the dough strips around a hot dog, on a skewer, in a spiral pattern. Then just follow the cooking instructions on the can for the rolls, and enjoy! You can also cut out cheese into triangle or star shapes to add some extra fun to these rocket dogs.

Patriotic Trifle– (from natashaskitchen.com) Keep in mind, this cake is best served the same day it’s made. Be sure to refrigerate until ready to eat.

Ingredients for the Trifle:

17 oz angel food cake, cut into 1″ cubes (aprox. 1 1/2 blocks)

1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 lb fresh blueberries

Lemon Syrup:

1/4 cup water

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)

Frosting Ingredients:

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened at room temp

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp vanilla

What you will need:

4 or 5 qt trifle dish, or a 9×13 glass pyrex dish.

How to Make Lemon Syrup:

1. In a measuring cup, combine 1/4 cup water, 2 Tbsp sugar and 2 Tbsp lemon juice and stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside until needed.

How to Make the Trifle Cream:

1. Beat together cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar (with the whisk attachment) on medium speed until creamy and smooth, scraping the bowl a couple times. With mixer on, pour in 2 cups heavy cream then turn mixer to medium/high and continue beating until consistency of whipped cream. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla and beat until incorporated.

Assembling the patriotic trifle:

1. Place 1/3 of your sliced angel food cake into the bottom of your trifle dish and brush with 1/3 of your syrup. Add 1/3 of your cream and loosely spread it over cake pieces. Add 1/2 of the sliced strawberries. Repeat with remaining ingredients (adding 1/2 of the blueberries for the second fruit layer). Frost the top with last 1/3 of cream and decorate with remaining fruit.

Red, White, and Blue Cherries/Strawberries– This is a perfect snack, or dessert for any 4^th of July party. Not only do they look very patriotic, but they are also very easy to make. All you need for this recipe is white chocolate, and blue sprinkles. Simply melt the chocolate, dip the fruit into the chocolate about 2/3rds of the way up, and then dip the bottom 1/3 in the sprinkles. Refrigerate until the chocolate is solid, and serve!

Fireworks Piña Colada Recipe– (from homesweetjones.com) This recipe makes only 2 glasses, so be sure to increase the amounts when making this for a large group. Once poured into glasses, add some skewers with tinsel decoration for some added 4^th of July flair.

Ingredients:

6 oz frozen strawberries

2 tbs white rum

2 cups crushed ice

1/2 cup coconut cream

1/2 cup Blue Curaçao

1/2 cup crushed pineapple

1/4 cup white rum

Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add frozen strawberries. Cook, stirring, until defrosted and somewhat liquid. Add 2 tbs white rum and blend with a hand-blender (or transfer to a blender) and puree. Divide between 2 glasses.

Clean out the blender (if it was used for the strawberries) and add crushed ice, coconut cream, blue curaçao, pineapple and remaining rum. Blend until combined. Slowly pour into the glasses.

(Optional) Top with whipped cream and decoration.

Décor Ideas:

A party is not a party without decorations! With some red, white, and blue accents, decorating for a 4^th of July party is a breeze. Start by incorporating these colors into your napkins, by using red, or blue, bandanas, and continue the theme until your party is star-spangled and striped. It is important to keep in mind the US Flag code during your decorating, as showing respect for America, and the American flag, is the focus of the celebration. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked by accident, by using disposable napkins or plates with the flag on them, which is in direct violation of the US Flag code. As section 176-(i) states: “The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.” For more information, and to be sure your decorations are not in violation of the US Flag code, check out http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#36. Following are a few décor ideas for your 4^th of July party that will not only show respect, but are also fun and festive!

Your guests will each need a glass, napkin, and flatware, to enjoy all of your delicious red, white, and blue recipes. Try using mason jars as glasses, stuffed with red, or blue, bandanas for napkins, and stick flatware in the jar to finish it off! This gives your guests all the items they will need, all in one easy container. Don’t have enough mason jars for all of your guests? Front Range Event Rental has mason jars, in multiple sizes, available to rent, so you won’t need to worry about buying them! Forks, knives, and spoons, are also available to rent. Check out your local dollar store for various bandana colors to complete this combo.

For some easy decorating, string together red, white, and blue stars. Either purchase pre-cut stars, or cut your own out of construction paper, or other material that will hold the star shape. Add some glitter, sequins, ribbon, or any other accent that helps create a fun and patriotic feel. Use clothes pins, or safety pins to connect the stars to a cross string, or rope, to hang up. If using clothes pins, decorate them with paint and glitter to match the sparkly stars. Hang them up over walls, windows, or even doorways. You can also use these as a back drop for some great 4^th of July pictures!

If you are really feeling crafty, try creating a patriotic wreath! If you are not feeling crafty, these are available to purchase, but you can save some big bucks by making your own. Check out your local craft store for your wreath base, and decorations. Make it as simple, or as over the top as you want! Add stars, ribbons, tinsel, or any other type of decoration that works for your party décor. Attach your details to the wreath frame with pipe cleaners, or with a glue gun, for a more permanent decoration. Use block letters to wish guests a ‘Happy 4^th of July’ directly on the wreath!

Another fun option for decorations are faux fireworks. This easy decoration is a big crowd pleaser, and works great to hang from ceilings, or as a table center piece! Start out with a couple foam pool noodles. Cut each noodle into 6” to 12” pieces, keeping in mind they do not need to all be exactly the same size. Tie three pieces together with strong tape, or ribbons. Then add some tinsel with stars to represent the fuse, either by gluing or taping into place. Once completed, hang from the ceiling, or place on tables for display!

Hopefully, this will give you some ideas to get your party in motion. With these food and décor options, your 4^th of July party is certain to be a blast! Thanks for reading, and happy 4^th of July party planning!