Party Ideas for Your 4th of July BBQ

If you have an outdoor space that’s perfect for entertaining, chances are you started planning your 4^th of July BBQ months ago. Looking for inspiration for your party décor, food and more? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of versatile 4^th of July party ideas to get you started.

Party-Ready Patio Tips

Perhaps even more important than the food and décor at your 4^th of July party is having a patio setup that’s comfortable and convenient for your guests. Make sure your outdoor space is party-ready with these tips:

• Patio Maintenance: If you have a natural stone patio floor, now is a good time to give it a good, deep clean. If it’s been a while since you sealed your patio, you should do so now. Sealing your stone patio will give it a fresh look and protect it from all the foot traffic it’s sure to receive throughout the summer. A good sealant also protects your tile from potential spills, which can stain or damage natural stone.
• Seating: Provide a variety of seating—and plenty of it—for your guests. A mix of dining chairs, lounge areas and bench seating ensures everyone is comfortable.
• Tables: You’ll also want to set up a few different areas for your party guests to eat. A dining table, fire pit table and a few side tables should give everyone a place to set their drinks and plates down.

Red, White and Blue Décor

No 4^th of July BBQ is complete without patriotic décor. Bring the fun to your patio with red, white and blue decorations like these:

• Patterns and Fabrics: Go beyond mini American flags with fabrics that are more subtly inspired by The Stars and Stripes. From red gingham tablecloths to denim blue outdoor pillows and blue-and-white striped placemats, you can bring pops of festive color to your outdoor dining area without going overboard.
• Floral Centerpieces: Paint mason jars red, white or blue and fill them with daisies, red poppies, delphiniums or other festive-colored flowers to brighten up your tables.
• Festive Tableware: Your utensils and tableware can double as décor when you get creative. Festive napkins, ribbons around utensils or simply red, white and blue forks are easy ways to make your BBQ setup more colorful.

All-American Food

If you’re looking to serve up delicious American classics, look no further than these fun and tasty ideas for your backyard BBQ:

• Hot Dog Bar: If hot dogs come to mind when you think “4^th of July food,” there’s no better way to celebrate the holiday than with a build-your-own hot dog bar. Provide an assortment of hot dogs and bratwurst along with plenty of buns, condiments and relishes for your guests to create their perfect dog.
• Grilled Goodies: Aside from hot dogs, you can get patriotic with other classic entrees like chicken wings, steak or BBQ ribs. Grill your favorites over your stone tile fire pit for a homey feel.
• Classic Snacks: Traditional American snack foods and sides like potato chips, corn on the cob and fries are sure to be a hit at your 4^th of July BBQ. Go classic with the refreshments, too—you can’t go wrong with fresh lemonade, iced tea and local beer.
• Fun Fruit: Fruit salad or fruit skewers featuring red and blue fruit is a fun way to decorate and provide sweet, refreshing treats. Get creative with strawberries, blueberries, apples, cherries, watermelon and more.