The Fourth of July marks one of the biggest party days in the United States. You’ve already followed all the tips for perfecting your apartment, and this is a golden (or red, white, and blue) opportunity to show it off. From food to activities, partygoers have high expectations when it comes to their Independence Day celebrations in Phoenix. Follow the tips below, and your event will take off like a bottle rocket.
Sending Party Invitations
When you’re planning a party to celebrate Independence Day, it’s relatively easy to pick a date for the event. If you don’t want to do it on the actual Fourth, select some time during the weekend immediately before or after. Lots of our guests like to have their parties the weekend before because momentum is still building for the holiday. That said, it may make more sense to choose the weekend after when the Fourth falls later in the week. Don’t sweat that detail too much– just pick the date that works best for you.
Once you nail down a time for your party, it’s time to identify your guests and send invitations. We recommend thinking about the number of people you want to host ahead of time. Large parties can be fun, but space is limited and planning a huge party is a lot of commitment. Run down your list of favorite people in Phoenix and send them an invite until you’ve hit your maximum number– you can always ask more people if you get a lot of negative RSVPs.
Fancy paper invitations are nice, but not at all necessary for a laid-back event. Demonstrate American efficiency by leveraging technology for your party invites. Texting and emailing are easy options, and Facebook Events is really nice because people will get reminders as your event gets closer. However you send your digital invitations, choose a festive theme or upload your own image to capture the essence of Independence Day.
Fourth of July Snacks
Few things are more American than a great selection of party snacks. Diets often go out the window on the Fourth of July as people chow down on all of their favorite USA-themed treats. If your Phoenix apartment has a grill (especially by the pool), you’re already a step ahead when it comes to preparing Fourth of July food. Either way, here are a few items to consider as you plan your party’s menu:
- Burgers and Hot Dogs – Grilling meat is a classic Fourth of July tradition, and it’s also relatively easy. If you’re not comfortable operating the grill, one of your guests will surely be happy to take charge. You can even buy pre-made burger patties to make this as easy as possible. Just don’t forget buns and condiments!
- Berries – With all the unhealthy snacks later down this list, it might be nice to include some berries. Strawberries and blueberries are already popular during the summer, and they lend themselves nicely to the red, white, and blue aesthetic.
- Watermelon – This is another healthy option, and it’s also associated in some way with American summers. For Phoenix residents, watermelon has another benefit that’s especially important in July: it’s extremely refreshing. This light snack will help people stay cool, especially if they’ve been eating heavy food in the sun all day.
- Anything Red, White, and Blue – Thanks to the invention of food coloring, most snacks can be made to match this holiday’s color palette. American flag cakes, appropriately colored candies, and layered jello dishes all make great options.
If the thought of buying and preparing all of that food becomes overwhelming, you can always consider taking the pot luck approach. If you ask all of your guests to bring their favorite Fourth of July dish, you’ll get a great selection of different kinds of food. Most people won’t mind at all because it’s an opportunity to show off their cooking skills. Your friends who feel lost in the kitchen can always contribute something easy like chips, drinks, or solo cups.
You can make sure you don’t get too many duplicate food items by asking everyone to announce what they plan to bring. If you sent your event invitations via social media, you already have a perfect forum where everyone can claim responsibility for popular snacks. Otherwise, a group text or email thread will be completely sufficient.
Best Drinks for Fourth of July
Depending on the group, drinks will also be a big part of your Fourth of July party. Whether or not your guests like to partake in alcohol, refreshments like lemonade and plenty of ice water will help everyone stay cool. After all, July Fourth is one of the hottest days of the year, with average highs coming in at about 105°F in the middle of the afternoon. You can give your lemonade a fun twist and make it colorful by adding some whole berries or blending them in.
If you decide to include adult beverages, you have plenty of options. Red, white, and blue cocktails are fun and topical for the day, but they can also be a lot of work. We’ve seen some guests make impressive, layered, flag-themed jello shots, but you don’t necessarily have to be that committed for your guests to have a great time. Cold beer and a classic American whiskey are just as appropriate as anything else.
As with the food, it’s totally acceptable to ask your guests to contribute to the drinks. This part of the planning process can get expensive in a hurry, especially if alcohol is involved. If you’re committed to being a good host, just make sure you don’t drink too much. It may help to remember this wise old saying: “don’t drink a fifth on the Fourth, or you won’t come forth on the fifth.”
Activities and Decorations for Your Fourth of July Party
The obvious solution for the Fourth of July decorations is anything with the American flag on it. You can easily find on-theme plates and napkins, as anything red, white, and blue will work well. After you decorate your apartment, look into fun activities like cornhole, water balloon tosses, and other party games. Don’t forget to prepare a special playlist for the big event!
If your apartment has a pool, you already have a huge advantage when it comes to planning Fourth of July activities. Guests can relax around the water, enjoying the sights and sounds of people having a good time. Make sure they know to bring swimsuits– they’ll be delighted to take a quick dip as the temperature outside works its way toward triple digits.
Apartments in Phoenix, AZ
If you’re wondering exactly where to find great Phoenix apartments with a pool, look no further than Heers Management’s communities. All of our buildings come with added bonuses like workout facilities, pools, and other useful common areas. Spacious floor plans will give you plenty of room to host all of your closest friends during a Fourth of July celebration. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a walkthrough, and you’ll become everyone’s favorite host.