Charter One Realty Blog

Can you believe it's officially time to throw your fourth of July parties? While our celebrations over the last few months have certainly looked a little different (are you Zoom-ed out?), we are excited to have a better understanding of how COVID-19 spreads so that we can ease back into gathering with friends and family in safe, healthy ways.  

With all of our local celebrations canceled, we take a page out of their book and note that it’s still important to follow the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and those around us safe. So how do you do that, and throw an awesome 4th of July party?

We here at Charter One Realty wanted to provide you with some tips on how to safely host one (or, modify the tips and be a gracious guest). 

4th of July Party Ideas: Safe Hosting

Hosting a 4th of July party can be stressful between the food, drinks, fireworks, and decor. Don’t add to the pressure by stressing about how to keep your guests safe! We take the guesswork out of that for you here. Implement these simple tips and hosting during this unique time will be a breeze: 

Keep the Party Outdoors

While guests must go inside to use the restroom, make it clear that this is an outside party. It’s now proven that gathering indoors is significantly more likely to spread the virus, so politely mention to your guests upfront that the party will be an outdoor-only-soiree. It’s easier to maintain social distance outside, while still being together!

Create a Sanitization Station 

Consider this the “must-have” party decor for 2020: a table stocked with sanitizing goodies. From individually wrapped masks to an oversized pump of hand sanitizer, get creative with your display.  

Skip the Buffet

High-touch shared items like serving utensils, stacks of plates, and coolers are a no-go this year. Do not let the guests serve themselves because buffets are at extremely high risk for contamination. Instead of the usual huge spread made for grazing, try something new! 

Photo Credit: Evermine

Instead, create a small “tasting” menu with 3-4 hearty items. Put on your hostess-of-the-year hat, and serve guests individually. If you’re grilling, use this same idea. Not only does it make the party a tad more exciting for the guests (wow, such service!) but it’s one of the easiest ways to stop cross-contamination. 

Now that you know how to host safely, let’s have some fun and talk party decor.

July 4th Party Decorations

One of the best parts about hosting a party is the decor! If you don’t have a decorating committee, you aren’t alone. Here are a couple easy to execute home décor ideas.  

Patriotic Decorating Kits

Party kits are great as you can get bundled value decorations and cut down on the time you would normally spend purchasing individual items. You can find them online in a snap. Masking up and heading out to the party store? Be sure to check your local dollar store for themed tableware while you’re out and about!

Balloon Décor

Balloons are an easy way to add flair to any party. Hang red, white, and blue balloons throughout the party, or test your DIY skills by creating a balloon display that can double as a photo backdrop. No matter how you decorate, it’s sure to be a blast! 

Photo Credit: Ella Claire Inspired

Yummy July 4thRecipes 

Now onto the best part of July 4th parties: the food! In keeping with the need to create heartier dishes vs. apps and snacks, here are a couple of delicious recipes you can make to satisfy your guests. 

Pulled Pork Cornbread Casserole

This sweet cornbread crust is topped with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and cheese! Can you taste it already? It pairs perfectly with other BBQ favorites. Added bonus: it’s prepared in the slow cooker! Find the recipe here 

Stars & Stripes American Flag Pie

No party is complete without dessert! This cherry and blueberry pie is easy to make and fabulous to look at. Here’s the recipe that is sure to bring out your inner baker.

If you prefer, you may adjust your food offerings by serving easy grab and go treats like the ones found below. Photo credit: https://www.purewow.com/

Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers

Rather than just chopping up the ingredients and tossing them with dressing, these skewers come together on the grill and make the perfect grab-and-go summer appetizer. Here's the recipe

Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites

In less than an hour, you can have 48 of these delightful little bites on the table, baked with two kinds of gooey cheddar cheese. Here's the recipe

Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage, and Potatoes

Just pop these skewers on the grill, lay some newspaper on the picnic table, and enjoy. Here's the recipe

Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful as you get ready to plan your July 4th parties! Host a great party with fun decor, delicious food, and a touch of social distancing - it’s sure to be a blast.

Remember:

• Prepare heartier recipes and serve your guests directly rather than creating a spread of light bites. This ensures no one lingers over the food.

• Have fun with decor even if you can’t get out to the party stores. Ordering inexpensive party kits online is a surefire way to wow your guests.

• Keep the party OUTSIDE and set up a sanitization station. This will help your guests feel safe while at your home and give you peace of mind as well.

We want to hear from you! What 4th of July party celebrations are you planning? 

Share it with us in the comments below!