Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Independence Day

  • Have a Memorable Fourth of July

    Have a blast this July 4th using the following recipes, backyard décor ideas, and fun outdoor activities.  

     Fourth of July Recipes 

    • These delicious July 4th picnic recipes will result in an all-star gathering.    
    • Stir this Provencal pesto into a bowl of boiled potatoes or pasta salad with shredded chicken.  
    • Mix a refreshing pear vinaigrette with this grilled vegetable and mozzarella ensalada. 
    • These open-face pesto-chicken mozzarella melts will be a huge hit at any gathering. Serve these grilled chicken burgers on a slice of ciabatta bread with a few fresh basil leaves for one incredible meal.  
    • Serve flavor-packed black bean chipotle burgers that will make everyone’s tastebuds dance with joy.  
    • Easy to grab, delicious to eat, these hamburger sliders with cranberry chutney are perfect for any backyard gathering.  
    • Bake one white and one red velvet cake. After they have cooled, cut each cake into about 1-inch slices and stack them alternating each layer, so it looks like the stripes on the American flag. Add blue food coloring to icing before spreading it on top, and then for the final touch, add white star sprinkles.  
    • End the day with a fresh and berry-topped, berry delicious flag cake.  
    • Bake an Independence Day cookie pizza! Press and flatten cookie dough into a 14-inch pizza pan and bake it until golden. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then scatter mini marshmallows across the top. Then sprinkle the top with red and blue candy-coated chocolates. Easy and delicious.  
    • This patriotic berry flag tart is just as tasty as it looks.  
    • Make American flag pretzel sticks by dipping a pretzel into melted white chocolate about 5 inches. After it has cooled, dip the same end of the pretzel into melted blue chocolate about 1 inch and place white start sprinkles on the blue portion before it dries. Fill a piping bag with red icing and drizzle it back and forth across the white chocolate to create the stripes.  

    • Get your patriotic party on with incredible 4th of July drinks.  
    • Enjoy these refreshing summer cocktails that are exactly what your guests will enjoy at the end of a hot day.  

     

    Backyard Preparation and July 4th Décor 

    • Check out creative benches and built-in seating solutions for your deck or patio that are practical and look great.  
    • Learn how to build a freestanding deck to enhance your home’s exterior and host memorable outdoor gatherings.   
    • Summer is in full swing; here are a few outdoor patio ideas that will help you enjoy your July 4th gathering and all future outdoor parties.    
    • Red, white, and blue, these Fourth of July crafts are for you.  
    • These DIY planter rockets will be a blast to create and will make your yard look fabulous.    

     

    Outdoor Activities for the 4th of July 

    • Get your game on and discover some family fun with fourth of July games for kids.  
    • Make a photo booth in your backyard! Use construction paper to cut out patriotic themed props such as red hats and blue bowties. Take silly photos and share them with loved ones.   
    • Discover endless entertainment with these games you’ll be playing all summer long.  
    • Build a rocket out of cardboard boxes so the young ones can fly high. Take a large cardboard box, cut out ½ of one side, and place it upright so the opening serves as a window. Cut out two wings and tape one to each side. For the top of the rocket, cut out a triangle and attach it to the top. If you want to take it another level, you can paint the outside or wrap it in fun wrapping paper. Glue painted bottle caps on to look like buttons and use a paper plate as a wheel. Blast off!  

    • These fun outdoor yard games are great family entertainment and will be a hit at parties.  
    • Set up a kid’s craft table. Use toilet paper or paper towel tubes to make little rockets! You and the kids can paint the cardboard red, white, and blue and then glue ribbons or tassels onto one end. Paint little stars on the outside to give it a boost! For the top of the rocket, make a cone shape out of paper to glue it to the top. 

  • Have a Blast this July 4th

    Let Your Crafts Soar 

    Whether you’re celebrating with family or a small group of friends, it’s always fun to decorate. Spruce up your home for July 4th with these crafts. 

    • Here is a fun list of patriotic craft ideas from beautiful flower arrangements to festive coloring sheets.
    • Use toilet paper or paper towel tubes to make little rockets! You and the kids can paint the cardboard red, white, and blue and then glue ribbons or tassels onto one end. Paint little stars on the outside to give it a boost! Another option is to cut construction paper and glue it to the outside of the tube. For the top of the rocket make a cone shape out of paper to glue it to the top.
    • Build a rocket out of cardboard boxes so the young ones can fly high. Take a large cardboard box and cut out ½ of one side. Cut out two wings and tape one to each side. For the top of the rocket cut out a triangle and attach it to the top. If you want to take it another level, you can paint the outside or wrap it in fun wrapping paper. Glue painted bottle caps on to look like buttons and use a paper plate as a wheel. Blast off! 

    Recipes for a Good Time 

    July 4th is all about firing up that grill and snacking on some delicious red, white, and blue treats.  

    • For dessert try a yummy berry-topped flag cake recipe. 
    • Cupcakes are always a crowd favorite. An easy way to make them festive is by adding red, white, and blues sprinkles to the icing or using food coloring in the cake mix.
    • Red, white, and blue popsicles are a must–have on a hot summer day. You can even make them yourselves with this tasty recipe. 
    • If you’re looking to bake with the littles ones try this giant cookie pizza recipe. It’s simple and fun to make! 
    • This patriotic red white and blueberry shortcake is perfect for a picnic outside.

    Festive Fun 

    Whether you are together or apart, you can still celebrate July 4th with those you care about. 

    • Create a fun July 4th menu and email it to friends or family before Independence Day.  
    • Get decked out in red, white and blue and schedule a video chat time so you can all eat the same great food together.  
    • Game on. Discover some family fun fourth of July games for kids.   
    • Make a photobooth at home! Hang a sheet up as a backdrop or stand in front of a white wall. Use construction paper to cut out July 4th themed props such as red hats and blue bowties. Take silly photos and share them with loved ones.  
    • Don’t forget the sparklers!