
When selecting the decorations for a
Fourth of July barbecue, be careful not to get carried away with the stars and stripes theme. Choose a few key pieces and use navy, red, and white as accents.
Start by covering the tables in a plaid Americana print tablecloth.

When searching for fun red, white, and blue cocktails to serve at a
Fourth of July barbecue, I was disappointed by the uninspiring results: most were colored blue with the artificial tasting blue Curacao. However, with a little creativity one can offer guests delicious, patriotic-colored cocktails in the form of a mojito bar. The
classic mojito is white, a raspberry mojito is red, and a blueberry mojito is blue.

Every year on the
Fourth of July, I like to make a red, white, and blue dessert. It's my personal salute to America. While a
flag cake is festive, this year I'll wow guests with a red, white, and blueberry cheesecake tart.

Since the Fourth of July is a holiday that celebrates all things American, serve a delicious meal of classic American dishes. Start things off with a tex mex favorite: guacamole and chips. Set up a burger bar with an assortment of cheeses, vegetables, and condiments.

It seems like every time I speak with one of my friends, the question, "What are you doing for the 4th?" comes up. If you're one of the many that haven't made plans yet, consider hosting a barbecue to celebrate the all-American holiday.