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Food, Friends, Family & Fireworks are key ingredients to a perfect Independence Day celebration. In your own backyard or at the park, a 4th of July barbecue is an American tradition that no one should go without. Let your mind wander back to barefoot days of leisure and excitement as your father light sparklers and your mother set the table full of delightful goodies and yummy little morsels. Family came with pot luck versions of their specialties, while revered Grandparents relaxed in the shade. It looked so easy from the youthful eyes of a child yet careful deliberate planning was at work.

So now you are the grown up with the sparklers to light and the morsels to serve. Do you have a plan? While some events in life are better suited for the take it as it comes approach a successful holiday gathering is not one of those things. Here are a few guidelines to get you off to the right start.

1. Invitations - Most everyone makes some sort of plans for the holidays. So if you want them to plan on you, you need to notify your potential guest soon. Don't just make phone calls. Send out "save the date postcards" 1 month before your gathering.

2. Dress the Part - Ask guests to dress in patriotic attire. Give away prizes for the best dressed. Flags and firecrackers make great prizes.

3. Exploit the Theme - Use red, white and blue picnic ware and streamers. Fly as many flags as you can and use others to decorate tables. Load the sterio with patriotic music of both current and traditional songs.

4. Make it a Melting Pot - The term "melting pot" described the fusion of the different nationalities, cultures and ethnicities the USA experienced in the 1800's. Spread your table with not only American cuisine, but that also of your own heritage. For pot luck style gatherings, ask guests to bring dishes that reflects their heritage too.

5. Consider Prohibition - While unpopular in the 1920's, reframing from alcoholic beverages may be a good idea. Consider your guests carefully when deciding if alcohol should be present. Remember you are responsible for anyone that leaves your home intoxicated. Protect yourself and your guest by limiting how much wine will be flowing.

6. Play Games - Carefully plan activities that will be enjoyed by both young and old at your party. Make sure that they are suited to your guest tastes and physical abilities.

7. Be Explosive - Set up a safety zone to light your own firecrackers. Have a metal can filled with water to dose hot stems.

8. Find a Good View - If you do not have a good view of your local fireworks display, be sure to plan to take your guest to the local show. Carpool there from your barbeque.

9. Tune In - Set your radio dial to the local station that will play patriotic music in time with the fireworks show. If your local radio is not playing an accompaniment play your own patriotic music to heighten the mood.

10. Say Goodbye - Send guests home with a patriotic gift to say thank you for coming. Party favors are not just for birthdays. Thye can range from flowers to candy and need not cost more than a few dollars each. As you include this special touch into your party planning your guest list will continue to grow, and friends and family will look forward to your events.

Try these tricks and make your Independence Day barbecue into not only your own personal American tradition but your friends and families too.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Arnold.
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