Can you believe the end of June is rolling into view already? Are you planning a pool party to celebrate the coming holiday? If the answer to that question was yes, the 4th will be here before we know it! We’ve got some prepping tips to share today that can have you enjoying the holiday instead of rushing around right up to the minute your guests begin to arrive.
Knock out any cleaning chores
If you plan to spruce up the yard, we’d suggest getting that off the list first. Have the family kick in and the task will be completed in record time. Of course, record time can include a few breaks… it’s hot out there!
If your pool or lanai is enclosed, it would be a good time to clean the screens of any dirt and debris so guests will catch every breeze. You could break out the power washer and get the job done in short order. However, letting everyone help prepare for the party is a teaching moment if you let it be. And, this is one of the moments you can show them that working together can be fun!
Gather the kids and turn them loose with a bucket of sudsy water and some scrub brushes. Let them use their high-powered water guns to rinse away the soap and the job will be finished in no time! Is the patio furniture looking a little dusty? Rinse out your soap bucket and repeat!
Where will you set up the spread?
If possible, you’ll want to set up the food tables in a bug-free zone or the flies are sure to swarm! Is your lanai screened in? If so, it’s the perfect spot to set up the food tables. Odds are the grill is already inside, right? If you don’t have an enclosure, renting a pop-up structure for the day might be worth considering. It saves guests from running in and out of the house, oh, say, every time they want a cookie. Moreover, for that matter, it keeps the house from experiencing the aftermath of having guests continuously running in and out…
Just saying.
Consider how many tables you will need on hand to have room for all those delightful dishes. Will the guests have room to eat inside or will it be lawn chairs and lap trays? If you’re borrowing or renting the necessary equipment, gathering it in the days ahead… or early that morning, if renting… can keep things from growing hectic on the day of your party.
Don’t stress on the decor
Flags are always fitting decor, but that’s especially so, on the day we celebrate our country’s independence. Here’s a super easy—and inexpensive—decorating tip for a 4th of July pool party. Have you considered purchasing a bunch of red, white, and blue balloons? Actually, you probably have. They are a common decorating feature this time of year!
But have you thought about blowing them up and tossing them in the pool? If they become a nuisance, the kids will love to gather them up and dispose of them for you. In fact, you could make a competition out of it quite easily. The kids will look forward to this planned event!
Another easy way to enhance the decor is simply by putting patriotic pool floats in the mix. We realize many of us are getting by on a pretty tight budget right now, so if you can’t spring for the floats, settle for one and let guests know they can enter a “float” in your patriotic pool parade! You can limit the entries to one per family or let everyone participate if they’d like. This fun competition could easily become an annual event—no matter who hosts the future competitions!
You still have time to grab some large placing ribbons or to grab some props to create your own one-of-a-kind pass-around trophy! Seriously. People are going to look forward to repeating the event next year.
Shady spots hard to come by?
If your yard doesn’t provide a lot of shade, it might be a good idea to consider renting—or purchasing if you entertain often—a pop-up gazebo or two. Most gatherings begin long before the sun goes down and having areas set up for guests to escape the sun is a key element to hosting a great party.
Are fireworks on-site?
Check on any city or state ordinances in place regarding fireworks. As a rule, Florida allows certain consumer-grade fireworks. They include sparklers, colored smoke bombs, other smoking devices, and noisemakers, such as poppers and snappers, for instance.
Exploding firecrackers, torpedoes, Roman candles, rockets, and aerial shells are generally deemed as illegal for use in the state even though they may be consumer-grade.
Even if the fireworks allowed at the party aren’t explosive, it’s a good idea to designate a specific area for using them—preferably one downwind of the guests. You catch our drift, right?
If your pets are frightened by loud noises, and many are affected by the sound of fireworks especially, it’s best to keep them tucked away in the house. They will feel more safe and it eliminates the risk of them running away in fear. If left in the yard they could bolt through an open gate as people enter or exit. There’s also the danger of someone leaving the gate hanging open which could allow your pet to run free even if they aren’t frightened by the heightened noise level associated with the day.
Nothing left to do but celebrate
Taking the time to prep for your patriotic pool party frees up your Independence Day to spend how you’d like. Sure, you will spend some time preparing for the party, but it won’t be frenzied and chaotic. And, that sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Our country is going through a lot right now. It’s gone through a lot in times past, too, but we rally together when it matters most and pull through the tough times. The same goes for you, your family, and friends. Of that, we have no doubt.
Celebrate our country’s heritage this Independence Day and take a moment to reflect on everything that it entails. Freedom doesn’t come cheap but it’s worth standing up for at all costs—from sea to shining sea.