If you're suffering from the Red, White and BLUES this 4th of July, we get it. With all that's going on, it’s ironic that we're about to celebrate our country's freedom while many of us will likely be quarantined alone or with our families. Sure, it won’t be the grand ol’ patriotic party you’re used to, but don’t let quarantine completely kill your vibe. We assure you that there are still ways to make this 4th feel a little less funky.
YOU CAN STILL BLOW YOUR ARM OFF WITH FIREWORKS - Ahh yes. Everyone’s favorite part of the holiday. Memories of sitting in your parent’s backyard in the dark, waiting to see which of your drunk uncles would lose a finger because he couldn’t get away from a roman candle fast enough. If your state allows fireworks or if you went rogue and crossed state lines to procure some of your own on the down-low, you can still put on a good old-fashioned, appendage-threatening fireworks show like the good old days.
HOT DOGS AND NOODLE SALADS - Rub a dub dub, thank goodness we’ll still have the grub this weekend. Whether you’re celebrating solo-style on Saturday or if you’re going to a socially-distant soiree, the grill can still bring the thunder. Plan a menu around old school family favorites in order to make this 4th feel like a blast from the past. You loved your Aunt Margaret’s ambrosia salad when you were 9. Why not give her a call for the recipe and thank her for the $4 she sent you for your birthday last month while you’re at it? Make new memories with old favorites and at least the food will make you feel close to home.
LET YOUR PATRIOTIC FREAK FLAG FLY - Listen, we’re not suggesting you have to go full Will Ferrell at the water cooler on SNL, but if that’s how you roll, hey, more power to you! Whether your style is the annual Old Navy time-stamped t-shirt or if you rock a star-spangled bikini, throwing on our country’s colors is sure to get you into the mood to celebrate America.
COLORFUL COCKTAILS FOR THE WIN - From mixed drinks to frozen cocktails to a good old American brew, choose a homeland-hued spirit to lift yours (responsibly). Pinterest is ripe with red, white and blue drink recipes that will wow your guests, even if your guest is just you in the same t-shirt you’ve had on since March. If you’re a less motivated mixologist, maybe just grab yourself some blue Gatorade and some maraschino cherries and, VOILA!, you’re all set.
MAKE-YOUR-OWN PARADE - I used to love getting pelted in the head with Tootsie Rolls and lollipops from passing floats and fire engines during our town’s 4th of July parade, but all that is likely shut down in your town for now. If you’re feeling like your 4th won’t be complete without some type of star-spangled spectacle, try a small-scale float design competition with your friends and family. Put on a funny hat and march up and down your street banging a laundry basket filled with all your dirty red, white and blue laundry. Dress up your kids and your parents and your pets and go LIVE on Facebook. Live out your American-themed dreams. Anyone who farts on your festive heart is a party pooper and you don’t need them in your life.
Hopefully your weekend has some sort of celebration scheduled, regardless of face masks, travel bans and - who knows by Saturday - probably radioactive worms falling from the sky. Our days - and our one-man beer pong tables - are what we make them and there is still plenty of fun to be had that would make our forefathers proud.