Celebrating Independence Day

Paper plates and napkins are often used.  In fact, paper tablecloths are also quite commonplace.  Cups may be paper or plastic.   And, utensils are often plastic.  These items are then discarded, making cleaning up easier.  A flag design enhances the experience, but simple red, white, and blue cups and plates work if more decorate party supplies are not easily found.

The ideal method of obtaining party supplies is in a party pack, where the needed items are packaged together.  Not only does this simplify the shopping, but the party packs contain items that are matched.  Simply decide how many people are expected, allow a few extra plates and cups for replacing those thrown away or, if the event is outdoors, blown away, and order enough packs to handle your party.  Remember, not many places will be open to sell you party supplies on Independence Day, nor would you want to leave the party to shop for more supplies, so start with enough.  A patriotic plate or napkin can be used anytime, so left over party supplies might become part of a lunch.

Small flags make excellent cupcake picks, and can be found in large packs.  It is of such details that your guests will really take notice.

Decorations are also available in packs, and consist of pennants, swirls, and any of a number of other items.  And, those cupcake pick flags can also be used to scatter about, since they often come in packs of hundreds.

Grilling is a popular way to feed the gathering.  Grilling can be easier than ever now that grilling baskets are available.  I recommend the ones with non-stick surfaces.  Also, long handles make flipping the food easy.  There are baskets for burgers, fish, corn, hot dogs, kabobs, and vegetables.  Using a burger basket traps the burgers between two sides, keeping them from the grill itself.  This prevents the burgers from sticking to the grill, and breaking up with pieces falling into the hot coals below.  Turning the burgers is done all at once with one turn of a handle, getting you away from the heat faster.  This also causes the burgers to all cook at the same rate on each side, since there is no first or last burger to be flipped.  I used burgers as an example, but most of the other baskets operate the same way.  Only the vegetable baskets, which are deep, are shaken instead of flipped.

Food that requires chilling can be presented iced down in an inflatable buffet cooler.  Beverage inflatable coolers are also available.  These can be found with a patriotic theme.  This kind of touch will make your gathering one to remember.

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