Master Fourth of July With These Make-Ahead Party Tips
We're helping you enjoy your own party this year.
July has really snuck up on me this year. But to be honest, I’m okay with that since it means I get to celebrate the Fourth of July in only a matter of days! My family goes crazy for the Fourth. We’re talking a collaborated family party with all our friends and family complete with tasty foods, refreshing summer sips and of course, a spectacular fireworks display. This year, I’ve decided to get ahead of the game by planning some important things I can do ahead of time in order to have more time on party day to relax and enjoy the day. Hopefully you can do the same!
The Food
Fourth of July Burgers
No Fourth of July party is complete without burgers. Serve bite-sized sliders in lieu of large sandwiches so guests have plenty of room to eat all the other delicious food.
Photo by: Cheyenne Mojica Photography
Cheyenne Mojica Photography
Certain things, like grilling your burgers, will need to be done at the party, but there are some ways to get a head start. For everybody’s favorite main course, go ahead and mix up your hamburger (and bacon!) and form the patties. Then add your dry ingredients just before grilling for the most perfect, moist burgers.
Pro Tip: Wait until just before grilling to add salt to your burger, and only add it to the outside. Salt can actually break down and dissolve muscle proteins, resulting in a very dry, tough burger (And nobody wants that, right?).
Make This: Bacon Burger
Throw a Vintage Country Fair-Inspired Party
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Don’t forget about the scrumptious sides. These tasty fruit skewers can be assembled the night before and refrigerated until the party. For an extra delicious twist, try tossing them on the grill and adding a ricotta cheese or yogurt dip.
Make This: Grilled Fruit Skewers
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Via Food Network
To keep guests at bay while the burgers are grilling, serve up this delicious Greek salad dip. It can be easily prepared in advance, and refrigerating it overnight will only enhance the flavors. Served cold, it’s also a great choice for a sizzling summer party.
Make This: Greek Salad Layered Dip
Plus, 24 More Dips to Try
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The Drinks
Flynnside Out Productions
Now for the drinks. As the host or hostess, you probably don’t want to be mixing drinks all day or night. Try a large-batch cocktail like this festive sangria, and you can mix it and forget it.
Make This: Red, White and Blue Sangria
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For your non-alcoholic option, homemade sun tea couldn’t be tastier or more refreshing. In the morning before your party, add fresh herbs, berries, water and a tea bag to a Mason jar. From there, just let the sun do the work! Let your drinks steep for 2-4 hours, then remove the tea bag. Put them in the fridge, and they’ll be ready by party time!
The Sweets
Now on to the best part: desserts! Both adorable and delectable, we love this innovative take on strawberry shortcake. For a shortcut, buy the cake at the grocery store and use a star-shaped cookie cutter to make the stars. Add strawberries and blackberries on a skewer and grill lightly on medium heat just until the pound cake is slightly toasted. Serve with fresh cream, and your guests will be delighted.
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I’m already drooling over this lemon curd tart. Topped with berries, it can be made ahead of time and chilled in the fridge until your party. Bonus: it’s surprisingly easy to make!
Make This: Lemon Curd Tart
Photo by Mick Telkamp
You can pretty much count on the Fourth of July to be toasty. Cool down your guests with these patriotic ice pops (which of course, you have to make ahead of time). Three colorful layers consisting of raspberry puree, creamy yogurt and blueberry puree look just as good as they taste!
Make This: Red, White and Blue Berry Pops
The Decor
Whether you’re shooting off real fireworks or not, these sweet fabric-covered rockets are the perfect easy accessory for any Fourth of July party. Bonus: This is also a great way to upcycle old toilet paper rolls! Just cover the toilet paper roll with festive fabric, and add a cone on top (create your own cone shape or use a cone-shaped paper cup). Hot glue the pieces together, adding ribbon for extra flair!
After you line your walkway with adorable rockets, make a few for a fabulous fireworks-inspired wreath. Also incorporate matching pinwheels in varying sizes for a patriotic wreath that will definitely impress your guests.
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The Festivities
Flynnside Out Productions
You definitely don’t want to save coming up with entertainment ideas until the day of the party or you’ll likely find yourself racing from store to store looking for affordable outdoor games. Not ideal on your day off. Instead, consider a few classic yard games that all your guests will love. We adore these red, white and blue cornhole boards, and you can even make them yourself out of old pallets!
Make This: Upcycled Pallet Cornhole Boards
Brian Patrick Flynn
Or, if guests are staying late, a midnight screening of "Independence Day" might be the perfect way to celebrate the day. Keep the party outside with a homemade movie screen you can use again and again.
Make This: DIY Outdoor Projector Screen
©iStockphoto.com/wundervisuals
Will you have kids at your party? Let them have some fun of their own with a DIY water slide. All you’ll need is a long tarp and a water hose for a warm-weather activity the kids will be looking forward to every year!
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