Holiday, Tips & Tricks
7 Ideas for a Social Distancing 4th of July Party
I love the Fourth of July. It’s the ultimate summer event – beach trips, backyard barbecues and fireworks, families and friends gathered together in honor of our nation’s independence and our personal liberty to pursue passions, build goals and work toward dreams. It’s a meaningful, seemingly magical day chock-full of fun, sun and celebration.
Of course, this year, the festivities will look slightly different. We’ll all be wearing masks and staying six feet apart. The Coronavirus is still very much a threat, so we have to be vigilant while we enjoy. So, how do you celebrate Independence Day at home? Fortunately, with savvy planning and a few precautionary measures, you can ensure that the pandemic won’t cramp your 4th of July party. Here are seven ways to enjoy the holiday while maintaining social distance.
Meet for a Morning Beach Breakfast
If the beach is your usual Fourth of July go-to, you can keep tradition without fearing the hordes of tourists that will inevitably crowd the sand and surf by 12 p.m. How? Just show up early—like, before breakfast. It may sound inconvenient but hear us out: In the early hours of the day, the beach is yours for the taking. You can walk, run, splash and build sandcastles to your heart’s content. You can play volleyball with friends and family and kayak and read and play music and gossip and enjoy the light breeze. Claim your space and soak up the sunshine and solitude while it lasts. Bring breakfast, make mimosas and keep it casual. You’ll be glad to be there before the sun is blazing. And when the crowds pick up, you can pack your stuff and get going, and you’ll still have a big chunk of day left to do other things. It’s a real win-win.
Pelican Bandit NXT 100 Kayak
Enjoy a Picnic Lunch
If you’re concerned about entertaining friends and family in your home, consider meeting at a park. Pack a picnic lunch with all the fixings. Better yet, seek out a destination that has communal barbecues to cook on. (BYO chairs, blankets, games, masks and disinfecting wipes!)
Have an Intimate Alfresco Dinner
If you want to have people over at your house, consider keeping the festivities entirely outside. Dinner parties are slightly tricky; you don’t want to be eating on top of each other. Space out the tables so that each household has their own designated spot – get creative. Create nooks with outdoor pillows and cushions, hang lights and create an ambiance. Tip: Consider getting wine glass charms so there’s no risk of sipping from someone else’s drink. Enjoy!
Wine Stem Spring Charms
Play Outdoor Games
Want to keep your social gathering simple, easy and distanced? Skip the meal and stick with drinks. Make it more about the fun than the food. A bunch of outdoor games will help make this a reality. Set up croquet, badminton and cornhole. Your guests will be so excited to play together while maintaining adequate physical space, of course.
Crown Sporting Goods Wood Croquet Set
Triumph 4-Player Badminton Set
Wild Sports Authentic 2' x 4' Cornhole Set
Organize an Outdoor Movie Event
Outdoor movies are all the rage these days. You can get yourself a projector and a projection screen or simply hang a plain white sheet to watch on. Twinkle lights will set the scene, citronella candles will keep the bugs away and individual popcorn snack bags will ensure that germs do not spread. So, what movie should you watch? Why, Independence Day, of course!
GPX 70-inch Indoor/Outdoor Projection Screen
Red & White Striped Popcorn Bags
Watch the Fireworks From Your Car
If your community is still having a firework show, consider meeting in a parking lot with other families and tailgating before the event. Bring lawn chairs for socializing, and then watch the bright display from your individual cars.
P.S. If you’re wondering if there will still be fireworks on 4th of July, Eventbrite is a great place to look for celebrations in your area. Some fireworks shows have been canceled while others may allow you to watch from your car. A last resort is a virtual fireworks show, which you can also find on Eventbrite.
Gather Around the Fire Pit
You can never go wrong with some evening s’mores. Light the fire pit, roast marshmallows and enjoy the sweet taste of independence with friends and loved ones.
Blue Rhino 35.6" Woodburning Outdoor Firepit
Though this year’s 4th of July celebrations may not be the same as years past, but you can still make the most of it with a few creative plans and some personal space. Don’t forget to shop for all your Independence Day essentials with Raukten. You’ll earn Cash Back on all your purchases. Happy shopping and Happy Fourth, friends!
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Lauren is a digital editor, freelance writer, and Instagram aficionado with a feisty five-year-old boy and a sassy two-year-old diva at home. With a passion for family, travel, style, and alliteration, she spends her days chasing children, chugging coffee, and daydreaming about sleep. As a veteran lifestyle editor and media mom, Lauren loves to find ways to make the aspirational attainable for all the overwhelmed parents out there—because we really need to stick together! Lauren lives with her husband and kiddos in the suburbs of New York City.
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