The Fourth of July: How to Celebrate
Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash
America’s birthday is here and man oh man is she ready to celebrate! At two hundred forty-five years young, this July 4th promises to be THE party of our great nation’s lifetime. She is deserving of accolades and festivities with every trip around the sun, but this year an exceptional commemoration is in order to honor her strength, resilience, and fortitude. It has been a trying time for folks in the good old USA, but the reward of living in such a wonderful place overshadows the worst of any adversity. So let’s show our country how much we appreciate her and raise a flag to the motherland. It’s time to paint the town red, white and blue!
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
What to Wear
Obviously, an ensemble of your brightest and boldest stars and stripes attire is a must-have on this festive occasion. But there is more to consider when putting together the perfect All-American sartorial statement. For example, an errant shoe choice can quickly morph from bliss to blister should you mistakenly choose footwear that only suits the exercise of sitting around a backyard BBQ versus walking a mile down the road for fireworks viewing. Adhering to a simple checklist when planning your look can evade a world of potential problems. Select cute but comfy shoes, pack a layer for warmth for when the sun finally goes down, and bring a bag that securely closes to carry your phone, wallet, other valuables. Don’t be the person who loses their car keys in the middle of a dark field.
What to Eat
Photo by Rodnae on Pexels
The most popular foods for the 4th scream Americana. The simplicity of the traditional spread reflects the most fundamental undertones of the holiday, reminding everyone to just be in the moment of joy and gratitude. The food is uncomplicated, requiring light preparation and casual consumption which leaves more space for socializing and relaxing with family and friends. Burgers and hotdogs, potato salad and slaw, the menu needs no more complexity than these paper plateable eats. Of course, throw in a few ice-cold beers and a cherry pie, and you’ll have achieved five-star spangled status.
Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash
What to Avoid
The 4th of July is revered for its qualities of ease and unfussiness, but it is also a holiday that requires an extraordinary amount of awareness and a heightened need for safety. There are obvious risks that come along with fireworks both big and small, but the simplest of precautionary measures can go a long way. The largest pyrotechnic schemes are typically pulled off without issue, professionally planned and executed with every conceivable safety consideration in place. But it is the smallest, most seemingly benign, homegrown displays that inevitably are the most problematic. Watching little ones with sparklers and making sure slightly larger ignitables are set off in wide open spaces are steps that most people take into account when sparking fireworks, but a few more preventative measures can layer in even more security. Applying nonflammable bug repellent and tying back long hair and clothing can spare you the potential for serious injury.
The Grand Finale
In essence, the 4th of July is a cause to celebrate, reflect, and look forward. It’s the New Years of the summer, a halfway tick on the calendar marking a time to regroup, reconnect, and remember what’s most important: family, friends, food and of course, freedom. May you enjoy them all.
Wishing you the happiest 4th of July!
Photo by Antonio Gabola on Unsplash