Spark Up Your 4th of July with These Festive Party Ideas!
The 4th of July has always been a time of celebration and a time for families to get together for reunions and parties. This year, when you join with the family, you can show off new and innovative ideas that will make even grumpy Grandpa Joe smile with delight.
Traditions of picnics, parades and fireworks have been firmly established as Americans celebrate Independence Day. Watching fireworks brings out the patriotism in each of us, so put some fireworks into your Independence Day celebration with these sparkling ideas and recipes that will surprise your family or guests!
Festive Serving Bowls
Here’s a new and unique use for the “Uncle Sam” party hat: Turn upside down and place a fruit or vegetable bowl inside and use as a serving container. Use a smaller “Uncle Sam” hat for the dip!
Edible Sparklers: Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick
Using long bamboo skewers, alternate each with strawberries and angel food cake (you can use any fruit combination you prefer). Attach a long party candle to the top by placing it between the fruit and top with blue ribbon. Pierce 10-12 of the skewers, now turned into strawberry shortcake on a stick, into the top half of a watermelon, along with several genuine sparklers. Place melon in a large cake pan and surround with dry ice.
Lifesavers Firecrackers (A Firecracker You Can Eat!)
Materials needed:
1 package of Lifesavers, any flavor
Red tape, cloth or plastic
Small foil star stickers
7-to-8-inch silver pipe cleaner
Cover the roll of Lifesavers (except the ends) with red tape and randomly glue on foil stars. Insert the pipe cleaner into the center of the Lifesavers, leaving at least 2” exposed for a wick. Glue two foil stars together back-to-back on the tip of the wick.
Firecracker Candle Centerpiece
It doesn’t pop, but it looks like it’s on fire!
Materials needed:
1 (46 ounce) juice can 6-7 inches tall, 3-4 inches in diameter)
Spray paint
Patriotic stickers
Styrofoam, 1 inch thick
9-10 inch tapered candle
2 pounds dry ice
2 cups very hot water
Decorate the outside of the can in a Fourth of July motif with spray paint and stickers. Cut and fit a piece of Styrofoam into the bottom of the can. Press the candle into the middle of the Styrofoam. Drop small pieces of dry ice into the can around the edge of the candle. Add hot water so dry ice will smoke and light the candle.
Star-Spangled Cake: A Showstopping Dessert!
Get ready for the oooh’s and ahhhh’s
1 chocolate Bundt cake, prepared according to package directions
1 (29 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 small plastic cup
1 pound dry ice
Small tapered candles
Tiny flags
1 cup very hot water
Spoon the cherry pie filling on the top of the Bundt cake. Place small plastic cup in the center of the cake. Fill the cup with pieces of dry ice. Push candles and flags into the cake. Just before serving, or showing, light the candles and pour hot water over the dry ice to make it smoke.
