Okay, it’s just over a week until July 4th, and I’m in full planning mode! How about you?
July 4th is actually my mom’s birthday (we call her the firecracker of the family) so our celebrations always coincide with a birthday celebration, as well!
This year, we hope to catch the fireworks display on the evening of the 3rd in downtown (here’s a shot from last year’s festivities – I LOVE fireworks!) and then we’ll be set for dinner on the 4th to celebrate independence and birthday together!
Of course, our entryway has been decorated for patriotic purposes since Memorial Day, so I’m halfway there!
But for the rest of the fun, where have I been looking? You guessed it! PINTEREST!
My mom requested hamburgers (she’s so easy, right?) as the main dish, and I’m running with the idea and planning to do a Hamburger Bar! Here’s my inspiration, from the lovely Kelly over at Talk of the House:
Don’t you love it?!
Goodness, it’s so cute!
I knocked around and looked for some “Hamburger Bar” printables, but couldn’t find any I loved, so I might just make some myself…and put them here on the blog for FREE, of course! Who would use them if I did that?
And then, what do you serve with hamburgers on the 4th of July? Macaroni salad…french fries (regular and sweet potato, of course) and maybe some fruit salad! Or fruit kabobs, even better!
And I have to say, I really love them on this silver tray! Elegant AND festive!
Oh, and then there’s dessert.
The year before last I made her a red, white and blue cake that was super cute!
I’m horrible at cake DECORATING, for sure, ha! But it was the inside that I was most excited about.
So that was fun, but I’m not sure if she’ll want something particular or not. So I’ve been scoping that out, too!
This one comes from Glory over at Glorious Treats! I love that it’s such a clean cake – it makes the banner and the pedestal pop!
This “naked” cake is courtesy of Ruffled Blog via Sarah Park Events and Julie Lim Photography. I love the naked idea! And the sparkler on top!
And then I think about cake pops! My mother-in-law bought me a cake-pop pan recently – perhaps I should give it a go! These are so cute!
I’ll probably grab my paper goods at Hobby Lobby (we all know how much I love that place!), but just in case I don’t find what I need, it’s so convenient that Party City is located right next door in the same shopping center!
So my plans are coming together beautifully! Whatcha think? And what are YOUR plans for the 4th of July?
Thanks for the shout out Kristen! Love all your sweet touches for the 4th of July.:) And oh my goodness, your cake looked divine! I’ve pinned those cake pops too…the colors alone in them are beautiful.
Have a great day, and good luck with your celebration!
Kelly
Hi, Kelly! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy Independence Day to you and yours 🙂
A hamburger bar is an awesome idea and yes, I am totally stealing it!! You have some awesome ideas here 🙂
Yay! Steal away! 🙂
What cute and unique ideas! I love the hamburger bar and the cake pops. I wish we had a Hobby Lobby (or Jo Ann’s), I always great such great things about it.
Tiffani, maybe you can order online?
I love the bananas, strawberries and blueberries – so many cute ideas. I completely forgot that July 4th is almost here. I will scroll back through as I need ideas for a BBQ.
I hope you have a great celebration, Jennifer!
Wonderful ideas for a 4th July themed party here. Could even be fun in the UK!
I’m willing to bet it could be! 🙂
Love the ideas for the hamburger bar! And I think your red, white and blue cake is beautiful inside and out – just like you!
How exciting that your mom was born on the 4th of July! I like how you said she was a firecracker. What else could she be?
Our church has a huge community wide event on the 4th with live music, fun activities for the kids, food, giveaways and a big fireworks display to end it all.
Aw, thanks, Alli! Your event sounds fantastic – what a great opportunity to reach out to the community!
The fruit kabobs on the silver tray are my favorite! And if I were there I would make sure I get the once with lots of blueberries ;). Great ideas here!
I know, I LOVE how the colors pop with that tray!
Great ideas Kristen !!Waiting to see your twists and pictures!! Yay!!We are planning to go Niagara on that weekend.I am eagerly waiting 🙂
Ooo! That sounds like a great trip! Enjoy!
Firecracker 🙂 so cute! I love it all – the hamburger bar is such a great idea! It looks like you’re going to have a nice festive holiday! We’ll be hosting our town’s 4th of July fireworks, so it’s going to be a really busy day. Looking forward to the festivities 😀
Oh goodness, you WILL be busy! I hope you have a wonderful time!
I can’t wait to start planning for our Fourth of July celebration. These are some great ideas for having a memorable celebration.
Thank you! I hope you have a memorable one, too!
So many cute ideas! I love everything. I think you should try out your cake pop pan. That cake pop cake is so adorable! Happy birthday to your mom!
I know, I really need to! I’ve been needing a good excuse! 🙂
LOL at your mom is the firecracker! These are great ideas, I did the fruit sticks last year the kids loved them!
She IS indeed, Jenn! LOL And that’s a good way to get kids to eat stuff – put it on a stick LOL
What a delicious food selection!
Thanks, Sophie!
Wow, that shot of downtown is awesome! I can’t wait for the party, You are the hostess with the mostess!
Yay! It’s gonna be fun!
Looks like no matter what you decide to do, you’ll be in good shape. Super cute projects here, and I especially love that cake pop display!
Thanks, Liz!
Oh Man… we have been so busy that I haven’t even had time to think of July 4th. I have no idea when we will slow down but I hope it is soon. Love your ideas.
Well, I got sick, and laid around for a few days, and that’s what got me planning LOL
Unreal on those skewers. That’s probably THE cutest thing I’ve seen in awhile as far as food goes for the 4th, and I’ve been seeing some really cute things! Pinning it.
Ha! I’m glad you like those, Rosey! I always say, if you want a kid to eat it, put it on a stick LOL
I haven’t had time to plan for the 4th but I want to something special. These are some great ideas and I would love to make one of these for sure.
Hope you enjoy yourself no matter what you do, Pam!
This is such a fun holiday! Love these ideas.
Thanks, Amber! I’m looking forward to it!
Oh my you got some great ideas. I give up trying those Pinterest things. They never come out like they look. I’m one of those Pinterest Fail people. 🙂
HA! Well, me too…I just learned my limitations real quick LOL I only pick easy stuff now 🙂
These are totally awesome ideas! I can’t believe the 4th is right around the corner! Why doesn’t winter go by this fast?!
I have no idea! I can’t believe it’s only 6 months until Christmas! (I think I need some coffee LOL)
Ok i am in love wit your decor and those cake pops are too cute.
Thanks, Becca! 🙂
Nice planning. I like how you layered the cake.
Thank you! I was glad it turned out okay LOL
Wow this looks amazing, I’m a huge fan of how the cake looks!
Thank you! I thought it was fun!
I love it! I will share this to my wife 😉
LOL Very smooth! HA!
I just love all the red, white and blue decor everywhere in July! I rarely decorate my house for this holiday (because I work so much I never seem to have the time) but I sure do enjoy seeing what everyone else comes up with!
And now you have inspired me to make some red, white and blue food! I may be too busy to decorate, but we gotta eat anyway, right? 🙂
That’s true, we’ve all gotta eat! Get yourself some food coloring if you need it LOL
These are great ideas. I love the fruit skewers!
Thanks, Krystal! I love most things on a stick LOL
It looks like you have some amazing ideas planned – I love the look of the cake delicious <3
Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
Looks like a fun time! Lots of patriotic themed stuff!
Oh yes, that’s how we party on the 4th! 🙂
I love the sparkler on top of the naked cake idea. How fun to celebrate a birthday and 4th of July on the same day!
Yes, we tend to have a lot of fun LOL
These are such cute ideas! I think we’re going to spend the day at Disney this year for the parade and fireworks.
Oh, that sounds like great fun!
So many great ideas! Wish I was in the USA for 4th of July. My family used to have such a big party at the beach with so much food! Miss those days.
Maybe one day again soon! 🙂
I LOVE to see what you guys find and do for July 4th celebrations. I don’t celebrate so it’s fun to see what you guys do. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed, Ronnie!