20 Simple Projects That Are About To Make This 4th Of July Your Best One Yet

Independence Day is almost here, and you probably have to prepare your house for a weekend full of debauchery.

Whether you’re having a family-friendly cookout or an adults-only boozefest, finding a little inspiration never hurts. From feeding guests to keeping them entertained, here are 20 simple recipes and DIY projects that are about to set you apart from the rest. Expert party planning, commence!

1. If you’re as lazy and uninspired as I am, this is the dessert you should go with when you ultimately forget you’re throwing a cookout in three hours.

If you're as lazy and uninspired as I am, this is the dessert you should go with when you ultimately forget you're throwing a cookout in three hours.

Staying Close to Home

Tell them you made these from scratch. I dare you.

2. Make these non-boozy layered drinks for the kiddos (and yourself when no one is looking).

Make these non-boozy layered drinks for the kiddos (and yourself when no one is looking).

In Katrina’s Kitchen

3. If you’re having a slightly more formal affair, make these cute place settings with Mason jars and patriotic bandanas. The jars can be used for drinks later. You’re welcome.

If you're having a slightly more formal affair, make these cute place settings with Mason jars and patriotic bandanas. The jars can be used for drinks later. You're welcome.

A Soft Place

4. The kids will want to get their hands on these champagne-soaked strawberries. To avoid that, tell them they’re poisoned and that you can’t die as they watch you eat them.

The kids will want to get their hands on these champagne-soaked strawberries. To avoid that, tell them they're poisoned and that you can't die as they watch you eat them.

Ministry of Alcohol

5. Use the outdoor pillows you already have and give them a patriotic punch by tying on festive bandanas.

Use the outdoor pillows you already have and give them a patriotic punch by tying on festive bandanas.

At the Picket Fence

6. Line your sidewalk with these bad boys when the sun goes down and let guests bask in your crafting glory.

Line your sidewalk with these bad boys when the sun goes down and let guests bask in your crafting glory.

Dream a Little Bigger

7. Nothing says “red, white, and I don’t give a damn” quite like this simple fruit salad.

Nothing says "red, white, and I don't give a damn" quite like this simple fruit salad.

Wit and Whistle

8. Make sangria. Gallons of it. Fill your swimming pool.

Make sangria. Gallons of it. Fill your swimming pool.

Flickr / Divya Thakur

9. Put sparklers and fire crackers in cute, labeled jars and take a photo before the youths ruin them.

Put sparklers and fire crackers in cute, labeled jars and take a photo before the youths ruin them.

Uncommon Designs

10. These Independence Day flashlights will have the same effect on your children as the laser pointer does on your cat.

These Independence Day flashlights will have the same effect on your children as the laser pointer does on your cat.

Stuffed Suitcase

11. Get artisanal as hell with these pre-made cocktails. Win life in the process.

Get artisanal as hell with these pre-made cocktails. Win life in the process.

The Chic Site

12. Watch your friends get drunk and play giant Jenga. If you don’t paint the ends red, white, and blue, you’re not American.

Watch your friends get drunk and play giant Jenga. If you don't paint the ends red, white, and blue, you're not American.

A Beautiful Mess

13. You know who wants to buy 30,000 ice packs or deal with melting ice cubes? No one. You know who wants to peg their guests with water balloons? Everyone. Make ice packs out of balloons, and when they melt…well…you know what to do.

You know who wants to buy 30,000 ice packs or deal with melting ice cubes? No one. You know who wants to peg their guests with water balloons? Everyone. Make ice packs out of balloons, and when they melt...well...you know what to do.

Brit + Co

14. To cut down on cleanup and trash, skewer everything. Bye, forks.

To cut down on cleanup and trash, skewer everything. Bye, forks.

Flickr / Marco

15. Make this sick watermelon keg.

Make this sick watermelon keg.

YouTube / FlavCity with Bobby Parrish

16. Let’s be real. You’ve been drinking for three days straight already. Repurpose those bottles into cute centerpieces.

Let's be real. You've been drinking for three days straight already. Repurpose those bottles into cute centerpieces.

At the Picket Fence

17. Nothing goes together quite like drunk people and sharp objects! Why not make this patriotic dart board?

Nothing goes together quite like drunk people and sharp objects! Why not make this patriotic dart board?

Giggles Galore

18. Demonstrate your Independence Day trivia prowess with these printable cards.

Demonstrate your Independence Day trivia prowess with these printable cards.

Yellow Bliss Road

19. Make these festive deviled eggs and then mail me some. It’s the law.

Make these festive deviled eggs and then mail me some. It's the law.

Created by Diane

20. Set up an Instagram-ready photo backdrop in the yard and let your friends ham it up!

Set up an Instagram-ready photo backdrop in the yard and let your friends ham it up!

Brit + Co

I’m not much of a party planner, but if you need someone to share pre-made cocktails with, I’m your girl. Happy Fourth!

Giphy

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