July 4th Cookout, Barbeque, Picnic Tips

• Use serving pieces you have, red, white, and blue are great but not necessary. Look high and low for the thing you have-trust me you have great pieces to use. Find trays, baskets, bowls, or buy inexpensive ones. 
• Plan an area for all the food. A nice long table in the shade, the dinner table, or a kitchen counter space all work great. Serve out of the heat, cover food, and try to keep any salads or meat items covered.
• For summer pool parties, I make sure to get food back in the fridge after about an hour or so to keep it safe, then take it out later in the day when people get hungry again.
• Plan for your number of guests, and space to walk around the table, and chairs, and places to sit in the shade.
• Have containers to send leftovers home with guests, people love it! I use inexpensive Chinese paper takeout containers or grocery store brands.
• If serving outside, plan out to keep food protected from flying insects with food tents, chill salads, and keep dishes out of the direct sun if possible. 
• Use what you have to create different heights if possible and to keep people moving around trying different dishes. I sometimes use boxes under pretty linens and tablecloths to create high and low places.
• Use American flags, linens, flowers, and patriotic decorations.
• Serve salads in large chilled bowls on ice packs with a pretty towel covering the ice packs.  There are also platters that stay chilled for up to two hours, I have a couple and love them. 

Party Checklist

• Trays - regular or ones that stay chilled 
• Small Bowls
• Small Serving Spoons
• Salad Tongs
• Napkins
• Utensils
• Plates
• Red Solo Cups
• Ice
• Insect Tents/Covers
• Bottled Water
• Iced Tea or Lemonade
• Chips, Pretzels, Snacks
• Cookout, BBQ, and Grill Items
• Cocktails and Drinks
• Desserts