Celebrate The Fourth of July Safely with These At-Home Party Ideas

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Four Ways to Take Your Backyard Festivities to the Next Level

We might all be social distancing right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate The Fourth of July! With the right mix of food, fun, and family, you can throw an amazing party at home. From backyard campfires to cook-outs to games that’ll get the whole family involved, it just takes a little creativity to make this a holiday to remember. Read on for our top tips for getting festive this Fourth of July.

Get the Grill Going

Nothing says Independence Day like grilling – in fact, it’s ranked as the most popular grilling holiday in the United States! While hamburgers and hot dogs might be the most common items to throw on the flame, we also love grilling fish, shrimp, and even fruits and vegetables. For an easy, portable option, try making these Cajun Shrimp Skewers. Kids will love being able to carry them around the backyard and – even better – they don’t require silverware. Hello, minimal cleanup! Recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen.

Ingredients:

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• 8 tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp Timoti’s Cajun Blackening Blend

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 lbs uncooked large shrimp (21-25), peeled and deveined

• 12 medium wooden skewers

Directions:

1. Soak wooden skewers in water 30 minutes. Preheat grill to 400 degrees F.

2. Combine all marinade ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer then remove from heat. Pour half of the mixture into a ramekin and leave remaining in the pan.

3. Skewer 4 shrimp on each skewer without leaving spaces. Lay skewers flat on a rimmed cookie sheet. Brush one side of skewered shrimp with sauce for 2 minutes until butter firms up.

4. Place skewers on the grill for about 2 minutes per side, or just until cooked through and no longer transparent. Remove shrimp from grill.

5. Brush on reserved sauce and serve.

Bake a Dessert That Really Sparkle(r)s

From classic blueberry pies to red-white-and-blue cupcakes, we all have a favorite Fourth of July dessert. This year, add a little extra pizzazz to your sweets with sparklers. While it might not quite compete with Jacksonville or Saint Augustine’s annual fireworks show, glittering cupcakes are sure to put a smile on your face. Of course, be sure to use food-safe sparklers and only put on this spectacular show outside.

Have a Spongey Water Fight

For an easy way to keep the kids (and adults!) cool in the heat of July, get everyone in on a water fight. Instead of using water balloons, which once popped often end up in the ocean, sponges soaked in water are an eco-friendly option. Plus, they’ll last for much longer, making them better for your wallet too.

Whether you try hitting the sponge back and forth for a splash game of tennis or keep it simple and play sponge tag, there are plenty of variations of games to choose from. Even better, your family can enjoy making up their own, with whatever crazy rules you’d like.

Make Some S’Mores

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Thanks to their use of Graham crackers, invented in the United States, s’mores are a deliciously American dessert. Whether you’ve got a campfire right in your backyard or you’re going for the indoor oven-baked method, these sweet treats are the perfect way to end the night. To make it a truly do-it-yourself set-up, set out a buffet of s’mores ingredients, complete with extra toppings like berries or peanut butter. Enjoyed in the backyard, by either firelight or flashlight, s’mores are the ideal way to close out Fourth of July festivities.

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For extra delicious food to add to your Fourth of July spread, place an order to-go with us at our Nocatee or Amelia Island locations. We’re ready to supply you with all of the fish, fries, hush puppies, and more that you need to host the perfect Independence Day party.