4TH OF JULY FOOD IDEAS FOR THE BEST PATRIOTIC PICNIC
There’s no better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a star spangled picnic party. After all, the 4th of July is about showing love for America while feasting on hot dogs, potato salad, and berry desserts with friends and family.
We can’t wait to party in the USA, and so, we’re sharing our party supplies must-haves to throw the best Fourth of July party on the block. And for this fête, we’ve decided that stars, stripes, and gingham is the way to go! So read on for all of our tips and tricks, and get ready to celebrate the US of Yay!
The Americana tableware collection is a patriotic party dream. We love it so much that we wanted to bring its vintage vibes into our picnic decor. Let’s break it down…
Red and white floral arrangements, particularly those that include poppies, are perfect for this 4th of July party theme. So, we recommend picking up a bouquet, placing it in a vintage mason jar, and adding a couple of American flags for an effortless picnic table centerpiece. We embellished ours with a red bow to match our fabulous balloon installation.
Three cheers for red, white, and balloon bows! We’re obsessed with this unique 4th of July balloon garland done by our talented friends at Pop Park City. Balloons are always great for outdoor celebrations, but if you’re wanting something simpler, a hanging flag decoration or patriotic bunting is a wonderful alternative.
Another of our favorite 4th of July party decorations is this pennant flag banner. We draped ours along the picnic table, but it would look just as festive hanging on a mantle or banister. As far as other patriotic decor goes, anything with a vintage Americana feel aligns perfectly with this theme!
Gingham is a longtime picnic classic, so be sure to include elements of it in your 4th of July spread. The ruby red on this gingham serving tray is stunning. We also love these Hamptons-inspired gingham trays if you’re leaning towards blue accents for your celebration.
It doesn’t matter either way, as long as you're using them to serve red, white, and blue sweet treats. Take it from us, a patriotic picnic just isn’t a patriotic picnic unless you’re munching on cherries and blueberries. We suggest dishing them up into easy-to-grab portions with festive food cups.
While we’re on the topic of Fourth of July foods, let’s talk about our menu must-haves. If you're hosting a 4th of July BBQ, be sure to bring the hot dogs! A classic 4th of July party food, we suggest serving them in the shape of the American flag complete with blue tortilla chips and star-shaped cheese wedges.
If you’re feeling extra this Independence Day, we suggest going all out with a red, white, and BBQ theme. Decorate with hot dog and hamburger balloons, picnic style tableware, and lots of festive food, of course.
For tableware, we recommend layering these eco-friendly bamboo plates with some red gingham ones. For that something blue, add some blue and white striped cups and napkins.
If cooking isn’t in the cards for you, we suggest snagging a pre-made food basket from Harry & David. They have a variety of delicious 4th of July snacks and desserts that are perfect for any patriotic party. Add on a floral arrangement from 1800 Flowers, and you’ll have a stylish (and simple) star-spangled soirée!
Complete your 4th of July party menu with a brimming beverage selection. We suggest adding a “berry” cute touch to your drinks by serving ice cubes with a patriotic twist!
To make these, simply wash and prep a few raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Then, fill an ice cube tray 3/4 full with the berries and set it aside (but not too far, we're not done with it yet!).
Next, pour distilled water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Cool it down, then bring it back up to a boil. After it's cooled to room temp, it's ready to join the berries in the tray. Pop it in the freezer for about 6 hours, and voila! The cutest, coldest, most compliment-worthy ice cubes you've ever seen!
The most important detail for any picnic is the tableware, of course. We recommend sticking with blue for the tablecloth and bigger elements, then incorporating pops of red and white throughout. These flags and bows place mats are at the top of our list for favorite 4th of July party supplies, so we used one at each setting. (They also inspired the flower arrangement!) Then, we layered some contrasting blue patterned plates on top.
Who knew that florals and star shapes could look so good together? We love mixing and matching patterns, and it works especially well for this eclectic picnic tablescape. To recreate it, simply layer some navy floral plates over star patterned plates.
Then, pair them with a red and white napkin, cutlery, and a gold trimmed cup. Finally, finish it off with this showstopper of a napkin!
Not to be dramatic, but these Votes for Women napkins might just be one of our favorite pieces of 4th of July partyware to date! They bring a wonderful mixture of vintage charm and American history to any party table (thank you, suffragettes)! Additionally, they compliment any patriotic theme, so don’t be afraid to pull them out for all of your 4th of July celebrations!
If you’re looking for an alternative set-up with similar floral feels, this modern Americana tablescape idea is stunning! Start with this floral table runner, then layer a large blue plate with this scalloped floral plate. Tie it all together with the coordinating napkin and some red cutlery for another perfectly patriotic place setting!
That just about wraps up our patriotic picnic party ideas. We hope you’ve found some inspiration, and are just as excited as we are to let freedom ring! For more Independence Day party ideas, check out the rest of our star spangled selection. From our fête to yours, Happy Fourth of July!
