The 4th of July is the first major holiday of the summer season which is why so many people want to go all out for this patriotic occasion. If you’re not care the party coast can start to add up without you even realizing it. Thankfully there is a great way to throw 4th of July parties without spending a whole lot of money. You can still have an amazing time with your friends and family without going overboard on the party funds. With these tips you’ll be on your way to a memorable party that keep everyone entertained throughout the day. So get ready to plan one of the most important bashes of the season.

1. Skip Decor
The fourth of July is largely an outdoor celebration for most, so don’t spend a whole lot of money on decorations for your party. Chances are most people are going to spend the majority of their time hanging out by the grill so they can enjoy the amazing food. So, there is really no point to go all out when it comes to decorating. One of the major decorations should always be your flag. If you have the flag flapping in the wind then you are doing a pretty good job at decorating for this patriotic feast. Of course, if you want a little more decoration then grab some poster board or a roll of paper and have the kids decorate a cute banner for the home. This will not only entertain the kids at the party, but will satisfy your need to decorate for a party.

2. Food
The best thing about the 4th of July is some of the delicious foods that are prepared. You don’t have to go all out and make expenses brisket and rib type meals for this holiday. Instead, let hot dogs and hamburgers steal the show for an amazing meal that everyone will love. Salads and chips are all you really need to complete these dishes, so you will be ready to go after spending only a few dollars. Of course, if you want to add a little bit more to your party’s feast you could always ask people to bring their own dishes. This is a great way to really show off what America has become as people will have a wide selection of dishes that were passed down through their family. Potlucks will also ensure that everyone gets plenty to eat while they are away. You can even have guest bring their own meat in order to make the food go even further.

3. Fireworks
Fireworks tend to be the main attraction for most fourth of July parties. Of course, in some areas they are totally illegal to pop on your own. So, you might want to play your party near a place that can legally do fireworks. Usually you can find a nice park to host a party for little to no cost, which is a great way to give your party a little instant entertainment. If you can pop fireworks at your home then you might want to invest in a few signature pieces. Usually, sparklers are your best bet when it comes to entertaining children so you will want to buy a few boxes of those if nothing else. These are generally very cheap too, so you won’t have to worry about blowing your budget. If you intend on doing a show then you might want to ask your guest to bring their contribution. This will allow many people to do their fireworks and entertain a full group of people. You can also just sit back and watch the fireworks that the community has let off, as generally there are quite a few let off throughout the night.

4. Games
There are so many cheap ways to create games for your guest that you might actually have to be choosey when it comes to games. You might want to play a water balloon war for the height of the day, so your guest can easily cool down. Water balloons are usually very cheap so you can buy them in large quantities. There are also a large number of races that will keep your guest busy throughout the day. For instance, you can put out a few sacks for a burlap sack race, tie two people together or make your guest balance an egg on a spoon. If you have a lot of space then you can set up a capture the flag game to keep all ages busy. You can also bring out a football or baseball for good old fashioned fun that will bring joy to everyone. If your guest seem to be sluggish by the middle of the way you can always bring out a board game to really get the fun going.

5. Movies
If you don’t want your guest to be outside all day then you can always entertain them with movies or t.v. One of the best ways to cool down a rowdy crowd is to put the baseball game on in the other room. Children’s movies are always a great bet too, especially if you have a game room or larger bedroom that the kid’s can play in. Of course, there are also a large number of movies that take place on Independence Day or are especially about the holiday that would make a great for of entertainment during a nice cool down hour. If you really want to make your party cool then you can rent a projector at a low price for movies outdoor. All you have to do is tape a large piece of paper on the house and hook the projector up and you’re ready to go. This is especially cool if you can play fireworks from the major cities across the country.

6. Treats
Everyone loves a little sweet treat during the holidays, so make sure you guest don’t end up longing for dessert. One way you can provide guest with something sweet and cool them down is to serve snow cones. All you need is a little shaved ice and some flavoring bottles, which are very cheap, and you have a treat that will impress kids and adults alike. You can also mix up a batch of rice crispy treats. To make the treats a bit more holiday friendly try cutting them into stars and decorating them with red and blue M&Ms or sprinkles. You might also want to set out piece of fruit, like watermelon, that will provide your guest with a classic dessert option for a very low price.

7. Drinks
Refreshments are one of the most important aspects of party, especially one that takes place in the heat. Kids will want something sweet and delicious to drink so make sure you have plenty of drinks like coolaid and lemonade ready to go. These drinks cost very little to make and will keep just about any child happy. You might also want to brew a lot of tea and had some sweeter fruits to the mix, so people can enjoy a delicious mix of beverages. Try to keep away from serving bottled water, but allow people to have access to getting filtered water even if it means opening up the home more. If you plan on serving alcohol you might want to buy only a small amount. Try to find a 12 or 24 pack that is on sale. For this portion of the party you should ask your friends to bring their own drinks so you will have plenty for everyone to share.

8. Party at the Park
If you’re worried about holding a party at your home then try to find a park that doesn’t require you to get a permit. This can be one of the best moves as it will allow you to entertain and accommodate your guest better. When you host your party at a park you are giving your guest plenty of space to spread apart so they don’t get as hot as the would packed together. It also allows children to run around and play more so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money on keeping them busy. Most parks have areas that are fitted for baseball, football, volleyball and other fun games like horseshoes and croquet. This is a great way to really bring a party together and keep them busy while you’re preparing food.

9. Music
Most parties tend to greatly improve when the host has music playing. You don’t have to hire a DJ to have an exciting music vibe going on at your party. Instead, hook your laptop up to some speakers and find an amazing online radio. You might also want to consider creating a playlist just for your parties specific needs. Even if your guest aren’t big on the dancing front they will certainly love the extra relaxed and positive vibe to the party. You might also want to consider scheduling a karaoke hour to the party. There are many websites online that will let you use the music, so all you will need is a cheap microphone to the make most out of the might. If you don’t want to use your computer then renting a machine is fairly inexpensive, so you won’t have to break your budget.

10. Party Favors
No party is complete without a few party favors to send home with the guest. This portion of the party is particularly important for the kids who attend. If you start shopping a bit early you will be able to find a lot of streamers, balloons, noise makers and other cool favors for a lot less money than you would expect. Typically you can find a lot of you the best party favors at dollar stores or discount stores. Noise makers are a great way to keep kids busy during the party and will help them bond with children they haven’t met before. You might also try to find little yo-yos that can keep the kids busy for a bit longer. Sometimes you can even find cute little Uncle Sam or Statue of Liberty hats that will look cute on the kid’s and allow to pretend to be these iconic figures.

The Fourth of July can be one of the best times to have a party for your friends and family. With the beautiful weather and delicious seasonal foods you can plan an exciting party that will leave your guest looking for more. These simple tips will not only help you save money on your party, but will give you a sense of relief when it comes to your budget.

Author: John Terris