Fourth of July Party Inspiration

Break out your red, white and blue because Fourth of July is right around the corner. Throw a patriotic-themed outdoor party this year with our stylish and easy DIY party ideas — grill out, spend fun in the sun and enjoy the fireworks in celebration of our nation’s birthday.

Sparkling Favors
Don’t forget about the party favors! Instantly turn sparklers into placeholders or party favors with red, white and blue ribbon. Remove sparklers from the packaging, bunch them up, then tie them together.

Star-Shaped Beeswax Candles
With a few materials, you’ll have these candles ready in no time to top your dessert. Grab a few natural beeswax sheets, a hairdryer, scissors, flat-braid cotton wicker, small wooden toothpicks and cookie cutters. Simply cut out two identical wax shapes with the cookie cutters. Place toothpicks halfway up the bottom piece of wax and add the wick to meet halfway. Press the cut pieces of wax together gently to heat briefly with the hairdryer. Press the pieces together to bond and trim the wick to about half an inch, then voilà — candles.

Seek Out Patriotic Refreshments
Set up berry-flavored bottled juices or sodas in white metal tubs filled with ice for a creative and refreshing way to sneak in red, white and blue touches. For the adults, nothing says HBD America like firecracker Jell-O shots. Prove you’re proud to be an American by blending this boozy milkshake. Patriotic fruit skewers take it to the next level.

Get Patriotic with Food
Fourth of July ice cream sandwiches are always a good idea. When you’re pressed for time, these save the day. Unwrap each mini ice cream sandwich, put the popsicle sticks halfway and press all three sides into the red, white and blue sprinkles. Cookie cakes are nice, but brownie flag cakes? Say no more. Once the tray of brownies cools, cover it with a thin layer of white frosting, then slice fresh blueberries and strawberries to arrange them in a flag pattern. Finally, fill the space between the strawberry rows with frosting.