The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. The relaxing moments with family and friends are immeasurable. Here are some cool and stylish tips for making your gathering fun and unforgettable:
Use Colorful Paper and Plastic
Paper plates, printed napkins, and large plastic plates used for chargers can be purchased at your local discount store. The place setting shown here cost me about $1.25 per person, and you can re-use the plastic plate that I used as a charger.
Printables Can Embellish Your Goodies and Utensils
This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the abundance of free and printable items on the Internet! For my Fourth of July party, I used napkin wrappers, water bottle covers, and food tent labels. When hosting a large group, print name tags. When it comes to printables, the possibilities are endless.
Fun Interactive Games for Adults and Kids
Card games, bingo, and charades are always a hit at our gatherings. Print free bingo cards from the web, and use a button to match your theme or small glass balls purchased in bulk from your local dollar store. Make sure everyone has a great time by setting up outdoor activities. Impress your guests with a volleyball setup and water activities. A little effort goes a long way!
Make Your Food Easily Accessible and Easy to Clean Up
Everyone loves a great barbecue, but your budget can get out of control when cooking for a larger number of guests. Never try to do everything yourself. Ask guests to bring a dish. They’ll be happy to help out! If your parties tend to go well into the night, plan for more than one round of food and hold some dishes back for the later hours. Try to make a large portion of your selections finger food or individuals. A little extra prep time makes for a quick and easy clean up. At the end of the day, you’ll thank yourself. By preparing in advance, you can relax a little on the day of your party, and enjoy yourself and your guests!
About Theresa January-Butler
Owner of Pat & Toot Interiors, Atlanta based decorator Theresa January-Butler has over 13 years of design experience. Her talent has been displayed in such places as the San Antonio Parade of Homes, Gulf Coast casinos, commercial office buildings, estate homes, and family boats. Theresa’s design services range from consultation and planning to project execution. Theresa draws inspiration from helping clients realize their visions for comfortable and functional living and workspaces. Her most recent work has been featured on the series Project Home aired on Headline News. To view more of Theresa’s work, go to: www.patandtoot.com. You can follow her on Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
