Party in the USA

If you've invited your closest comrades over for the 4^th to celebrate the state of this great nation of ours, then on behalf of all of us allergic to hosting parties, I thank you. What would our nation's favorite midsummer holiday be without people like you? I'll do my part this year by giving this preparatory talk to hosts, whether you're throwing a party for two or fifty-two. A little bit of planning now can save you a lot of heart (and head)ache come the 4^th of July. We're 5 weeks out from D-Day. This is your friendly reminder of pre-game necessities.

COMFORT

1. Traditionally, July 4^th is spent in the great outdoors, snappers in one hand, and microbrew in the other. Depending on your region, July 4th has the potential to be entirely uncomfortable outdoors. Think: sticky, wet heat. You can drink all the cold beer you want, it's not going to help your cause. You're going to end up indoors. Consider something more effective than a shot of tequila: outdoor air conditioners. Nothing says God bless America like man exerting control over the weather.

2. If you're lacking in outdoor patio furniture, your guests aren't going to feel welcome. Don't feel obligated to purchase and transplant twenty massage chairs to the outdoors (although that's totally ideal, says this party-goer). But do feel obligated to have as many seats as you do guests. Reclining chaise lounges are a big bonus on the 4^th of July. They provide an ideal location for sunning by day and a perfect view of fireworks by night. Comprehensive wicker sets can give the perfect balance between seating and surfaces for drinks and food.

CHOW

3. Brats, sliders and cookies, oh my! The cook shouldn't miss out on the fun. They should be at the epicenter of it. With the breadth of smokers, ovens, and grills available for the outdoors, you don't have to spend summer cookouts running to and fro between your outdoor party and your indoor kitchen. Now may be the perfect time to get going on a complete outdoor kitchen…or just leave it at one high quality grill that excites you and delivers an ability to cook like a champ.

4. Don't forget about the beverages! Consider ice makers, outdoor keg beer dispenser, outdoor refrigerators, outdoor freezers…the options are endless. Leaky, ineffective coolers don't cut it. Outdoor refrigeration units are now more reasonably priced than ever before. Explore your options.

PIZAZZ

5. Have a few “wow” factors in store if you're looking to host a party to remember. Do you have a themed billiards table? A tournament of pool is ideal for indoor fun if you get hit with an unexpected summer shower. Have you made the wonderful choice of inviting over a group of adolescents? An in-ground or above ground trampoline will keep them occupied outdoors, and they'll be tired by nightfall. Add a few playground accessories to your outdoor swingset to keep a swarm of high-energy kids fully occupied.

6. Fire, fire and more fire. Man's greatest discovery, the fourth of July's best friend. Bonfires, sparklers, cake fireworks, fire pit tables, the whole lot. Flames are the theme of this party, whether you like it or not. Keep them going from afternoon to nightfall. Do check on your local fire restrictions first…or don't. Enough said.

Realizing that you need a few reclining chaise lounges to round out seating? Going to jump for one of those nifty fire tables? Don't get caught with your pants down. Be sure to order these items in the coming days. Do you have a few moments right now? Now works best. Get on the phone with a sales representative from Family Leisure (or an answering machine, depending on the time. We'll call you back.). They'll let you know whether your must-haves are special delivery items (You need all of the time you can get! Red alert! Order now!) or if they're in stock (In which case you can keep cool, but not too cool…7-10 days for arrival at your doorstep. If you're counting on an item, give it a few days of wiggle room. Never know what can happen in transit…).