At Home with Em & Megs : Fourth of July Festivities

BY EMILY TELLVIK WITH MEGAN VANSTONE

Is there anything cuter than kids in their red, white and blue, waving sparklers or American Flags? We sure don’t think so, and we’re here with some tips and tricks to help you plan a 4th full of fun.

Aesthetic is always important to us, so whether you’re going to picnic somewhere to see fireworks, or host a backyard barbecue, putting a little time into making it pretty helps elevate whatever your celebration.

A great place to start is your table. Once you have that set, the rest of your decor can flow from there. We love to layer different hues of blues and reds, adding in a variety of textures, florals and tableware to create a space that’s inviting to guests. Layering doesn’t have to break the bank. Our Independence Day table features everything from garage sale and thrifted items, to Walmart and the dollar store. Combine all that with a quality linen napkin, some gorgeous candlesticks, and voila, you’ve set a stunning table.

It’s fun to put that extra effort into hosting, as it helps establish the party atmosphere. You want your guests to feel completely welcome, so time spent on those extra details is never wasted.

Once the decor is set, think through your menu. When planning on hosting a lot of people, there are a few different directions you can go. If you’re the type of person that gets tons of joy just being in your kitchen and you want to do all the cooking, think through what you’d like to serve, plan out what you can make ahead. See if adding something store-bought from a local market or bakery makes sense to share something you enjoy with friends and family while making your life just a little easier. Then schedule your kitchen time so you can enjoy your guests when they arrive without feeling stressed out with last-minute preparations.

Barbecue restaurants are popping up all over Spokane. Ordering some pulled pork or brisket and providing all the other fixings can take some of the pressure off while still serving a delicious meal. And it’s also perfectly acceptable to host a potluck and ask everyone to bring their favorite summer dish, especially once the weather warms up and makes spending time around the heat from the stove or oven unbearable!

Summer desserts can be as simple as topping bowls of store-bought strawberries with whipped cream or ice cream, or more demanding like baking a blueberry crumble or peach pie with fruit from the farmers market or picked fresh from a local farm.

Another crowd-pleasing dessert option is to lay out s’mores supplies on a cute tray and light up the fire pit. One way to elevate the everyday s’more is to try out different cookies as your base, provide a variety of chocolate bars and peanut butter cups, and add some flavored marshmallows into the mix. With so many fun choices, your guests can create their favorite combinations, while taking the pressure off you to cook one more thing. Homemade ice cream is also a big hit, and an ice cream sundae bar can be super festive, especially if you continue with the red, white, and blue theme.

With children, planning a few activities for them can create a bit of fun—and structure if you’re going to need some time to man the grill.

Emily and Megan _ Laura Cane-022 (1).jpg

Megan spends every Fourth out on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Last summer she had all the kids tie-dye pajamas, which turned out super cute. When my children were younger, we’d purchase supplies at the dollar store before grabbing our kids’ bikes and heading over to some friends. The kids would spend a few hours “blinging” out their rides and then go for a neighborhood bike parade. Another idea I love comes from a family I know that sets out craft supplies for their kids to make and send thank-you cards to members of the armed services. You could create a 4th of July scavenger hunt and have a few fun prizes for the winners, or make some firework art using paint, plastic forks, and some card stock.

Megan and I both love being on the water and watching all the firework magic sparkle over the lake. There’s nothing sweeter than snuggling your kiddos right up in your lap while you watch them take it all in. It’s an incredible blessing to live in this country, and the 4th of July is the perfect time to celebrate all our freedoms with those we love the most.