star spangled celebration

If you're planning a Star Spangled 4th of July party and wondering where to start, relax! I've done the work for you. This isn’t my first Independence Day celebration, so I’ve gathered a few resources to help those of you who may be overwhelmed planning your own 4th of July party.

fOURTH OF JULY PICNIC

I decided to plan my first 4th of July picnic the first summer after I purchased my grandparents’ house following their passing. I wanted to continue the tradition of gathering with family at the house, so I planned a backyard picnic, picked up a couple red and white checkered table cloths, as well as red and blue pastic cups and bowls.

I’m pretty sure my dad grilled for us, because I never did end up grilling with the old charcoal grill while I lived at that house. What I remember most about the event was dining on ice cream and sipping a tasty blueberry lemonade sangria at the picnic table in my shaded backyard. My heart was full after a lovely afternoon spent with my family.

patriotic party plan

I began creating party plans during the time I lived in that house, so I don’t think I put together my first patriotic party plan until I passed the 4th of July picnic baton to my sister the year after I moved away. She was hesitant to host and I thought if I wrote out all the little things that needed to be done, it would put her at ease. Maybe I was just practicing party planning and I didn’t know it yet.

On the heals of my Derby Party plan in May, my thoughts turned towards a party plan that could be used any time of year, so I wasn’t intending to write up an Independence Day party plan. However, I began to get an inkling to plan my own picnic again this year, so I pulled up that old party plan from over a decade ago and felt the creative juices start to flow.

star spangled inspiration

“I might as well share some of this content,” I mused.

So that is exactly what I did. I pulled together a ton of inspiration on my Star Spangled Pinterest board for lots of food and drink recipes, plus patriotic decorations, game ideas, and inspiration for anyone planning a backyard picnic this holiday.

I created fun red, white, and blue digital printables for my Etsy Shop including an activity Games Collection that will keep the kiddos busy all day, Wall Art Gallery to pop in a little Star Spangledness into your decor, plus an invitation, Star Spangled Cocktail Recipe Sign, party Favor Tags, and Food Tag table tents to help keep all the potluck dishes straight. It’s so easy to download and print them quickly!

I also had loads of fun curating my Star Spangled Playlist on Spotify. The playlist I started with was a short version I shared with my sister that first year she planned her picnic, so I had a lot of filling in to do. My Star Spangled playlist now includes 70 songs and clocks in at four hours, although I may keep adding new material. I was inspired by the idea of summer fun, but it definitely includes popular patriotic songs and a few must-have Independence Day tributes.

FEEL INTO FREEDOM

This country may be going through some tough times, but I encourage you to lean into the good in your life. Share a picnic with your family and friends this holiday. Savor the sound of laughter from your children and grandchildren. Feel into what freedom means to you and focus on cultivating that feeling this 4th of July holiday.

I hope you enjoy all the red, white, and blue inspiration from Lisa Kay’s Party Plans.