Fourth of July entertaining and decorating ideas

Aside from the food, games and music, the Fourth of July celebration also means sprucing up the house. And whether it’s your home decor lighting you’re concerned about or the centerpiece for the outdoor party, it doesn’t need to be all about American flag accessories all over your house.

As the Porch in St. Louis owner Cathy Weldon suggested, Fourth of July decors can go farther beyond the day of celebration and can even be used throughout the year. Regarding the decors, she said, “People are going toward stuff that’s not so gimmicky. You can use it in different areas of the home throughout the year. In this economy, things have to do double-duty. Solid colors work really well for that.”

For the food, simple finger foods would do instead of the usual barbecued hotdogs or burgers. Dessert can be a white sheet cake with raspberries and blueberries to make the cake look like an American flag. Games add to the fun aside from the fireworks display. Music from varied artists such as Freedom by George Michael, I’m Free by The Soup Dragons, Pink Houses by John Mellencamp or God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood are recommended.

Via Sun Sentinel (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/home/sfl-july-fourth-party-h070309sbjul03,0,5028120.story)