Getting Ready for Your 4th of July Bash

It’s that time of year again! Summer is finally here in all its glory, and in July, it’s likely you’ll meet with family and friends to celebrate America’s birthday. Don your red, white and blue and host your own Independence Day gathering. Here are some tips for staying organized, calm and cool as you plan your party.

Most 4th of July barbecues feature food of varying types. You might ask some of your guests to bring dishes, but chances are good that you’ll be preparing a lot of the refreshments yourself. First, make a list of the ingredients that you need for various dishes that you’ll be making. Then, mark them off as you shop and be sure to store them where you will be able to find them quickly the morning of the party.

Consider using bins in your pantry to hold like items together; there’s no need to add stress to the situation because you put the condiments away in different areas of the cabinet and you can’t find the mustard when you need it. Kitchen organizers, including bins in the fridge, can keep everything together and neatly assembled until you’re ready to cook.

July thunderstorms aren’t unheard of, and you don’t want them to put a damper on your plans. Figure out where you will be able to host your guests if the weather gets too dangerous or just too soggy to enjoy the porch, deck or backyard. One possibility is to move the party into the garage. Of course, if your garage is stacked to the ceiling with clutter, spending some time each day over the next few weeks getting that under control is necessary to prepare.

If you’re going to use the inside of your home as Plan B, then spend some time cleaning and organizing as you go along. Even if you do end up able to spend the whole beautiful afternoon enjoying the great outdoors, it will be nice not to feel embarrassed when your guests inevitably have to go into the house to use the restroom!

If you’re short on time and up to your eyebrows in other responsibilities (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) don’t be afraid to rely on packaged hamburgers and hotdogs, a quick tossed salad, paper plates, and DIY s’mores. The company and camaraderie is what’s most important!

Place garbage bags strategically around the party area and encourage guests to take home leftovers so you don’t have to deal with them later. Put out a few Sharpie markers so guests can mark their (red Solo) cups. Toss some stars-and-stripes confetti on the tables, fill up some water balloons, and just have a good time!

Getting your home and garage in order will make your 4th of July party, as well as future parties, simpler and less stressful to pull off. Call All About Closets to find out about how we can help you get your home in the organized no matter what time of year it is. Whether you need us to organize your coat closet to accommodate your guests’ jackets for a Halloween party, or you could use a Murphy bedin your den so your parents have a place to sleep during the winter holidays, we’ve got you covered. Call today and contact us for a FREE consultation!