by Laurel Michaels

Created on: June 25, 2008   Last Updated: June 19, 2009

How are you going to celebrate the 4th of July this year? Perhaps you are already heating the coals and putting the drinks on ice for your annual barbeque. If not, maybe you'd like to, but the thought of entertaining a crowd for the 4th is a bit overwhelming. Why not make this the year that you kick it up a notch and have a cookout? Whether you are a seasoned (pun intended) outdoor chef or an amateur host, here are a few dos and don'ts to help make your event a success:

ATMOSPHERE

DO get into the spirit of our Nation's birthday by decorating with red, white and blue. Buy some blue and red paper tablecloths and hang a little crepe paper here and there for effect. For a really festive feel string up some blue, red, and clear lights on your patio or gazebo. Target has a dollar section where you can find fun seasonal items like red, white, and blue hot dog baskets and other 4th of July decorations. Even small decorative touches will make your guests feel like they are truly at a birthday party.

DON'T forget to hang your flag!

DO plan a start time for your cookout that coincides with the rest of your plans. If you are planning to light fireworks, then you might not want to start the festivities too early. Once your guests have eaten, played, and visited, they might not feel like hanging around waiting for dark and the fireworks to start. On the other hand, if you aren't planning on setting off fireworks, then you want to start earlier so you can end the event in enough time for people to get to their fireworks shows by dark.

DO have plenty of things for guests - especially kids - to do. Have a badminton game set up, a Frisbee or football available to toss around, and some decks of cards at the ready. Bubbles to blow and colored chalk that can be used to decorate the sidewalk are kid pleasers too. If you don't have a pool, incorporate water into the fun. Squirt guns, a sprinkler to run through, or water balloons (red, white, and blue, of course!) are fun for kids and adults both.

DO play music to set the theme. Make an eclectic CD of rock and country versions of patriotic songs. Songs about summer fit the day too.

FOOD AND DRINKS

DO make it a potluck. Most people want to bring something to contribute to the festivities, so let them!

DON'T feel pressured to have a gourmet feast. If you love to show off your cooking skills, great - go for it! If not, hot dogs, store bought potato salad, and bomb pops for dessert is just fine. As long as everyone gets enough

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