At She’s Intentional, we love holidays! Celebration is such a wonderful aspect of the Christian walk. Couple that with a day that celebrates another Christian concept — freedom — and you’ve got the makings of a great holiday.
Though the 4th of July falls midweek this year, we hope our American readers are able to take out some time tomorrow to enjoy friends, family, and fellowship. We’ve compiled these ideas from Pinterest and from our own bloggers to help.
Enjoy! — And if you have any patriotic crafts, games, party ideas, or recipes you’d like to share, let us know in the comments!
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Jennifer: Rice Krispies Treats with a Patriotic Flair
I homeschool, and all through the school year, it’s rush rush rush!
Something I’ve loved about this summer is that I’ve actually been able to slow down, appreciate the simple moments, and try new things.
Recently, I was browsing Pinterest for 4th of July goodies, and I came across this recipe by Two Sisters Crafting. Rice Krispies treats + the 4th of July? What’s not to love? I had to try them!
I’m not the most talented person when it comes to artsy things, so I was sure I’d mess these up — but they turned out great! I took them to my church’s potluck, where one little boy thanked me profusely for making them. . . ha! ? That made it all worth it.
If you want to try your hand at these, you can get the easy instructions here: https://www.twosisterscrafting.com/4th-of-july-rice-krisipe-treats/
I know they’ll be a hit at your Fourth of July get-togethers!
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Anyssa: Foods for the Fourth
Tasty fries — without the guilt! My husband and I have been making an effort to eat fresh and lean this summer, and this recipe is a perfect side dish for a BBQ with friends and family. Baked zucchini is delicious on its own, but the seasoned parmesan coating just adds an extra kick of flavor!
Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
3 medium zucchini (about 20 oz.)
¼ cup grated parmesan
1 tsp parsley
¼ tsp oregano
¼ tsp basil
¼ tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut off the ends and discard. Cut the zucchini in half and slice each half lengthwise. Slice each section into finger-length fries.
Drizzle the zucchini fries with a bit of olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Combine the parmesan and seasonings in a small bowl. Sprinkle the parmesan mixture on top and bake for 15 minutes.
Serve alongside your grilled favorites!
I’ve made this coconut cake for two different gatherings this summer, and it has been a crowd-pleaser each time! It’s fluffy, sweet, and perfect for a special weekend get-together. Slice and top with fresh strawberries or sprinkle with toasted almonds and drizzle with melted chocolate for a personal touch! This is an exception to the “fresh + lean” lifestyle I referred to earlier – everyone needs a cheat treat every now and then!
Delightful Coconut Cake
Ingredients
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
5 egg whites, room temperature
¾ cup milk
¾ cup butter, softened
1-¾ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup coconut (shredded & sweetened)
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
3 cups powdered sugar
1/8 cup heavy cream
1 to 1-½ cups coconut (shredded & sweetened)
Instructions
Notes
Recipe adapted from Shugary Sweets
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Scouring Pinterest, our team has come across so many festive ideas we love. Basically, any foods that come in red, white, and blue are fair game for the Fourth. This cheesecake by Baking a Moment has our mouths watering!
We’d also love to try these red, white, and blue deviled eggs by Singing Through the Rain — so fun for a July 4th party!
If you’re needing a quick, last-minute dessert for a party, add red, white, and blue M&Ms in the shape of a flag to almost any sweet treat for an easy festive look.
Image via food blogger Sara Wells
Another idea we love that’s great for picnics, family gatherings, and BBQs even beyond the 4th of July, is this fun s’mores pack from balancinghome.com:
And what would any summer party be without watermelon? We’re loving the patriotic vibe of this snack/craft. Get the easy how-to on Woman’s Day here.
If you love festive tablescapes, this cute idea from Woman’s Day requires only mason jars, napkins from your local grocery store, silverware, and a simple ribbon.
Mason jars have so many uses! Tulips and a little paint are all it takes to make this patriotic craft:
If you have time for a more extensive project, Between Naps on the Porch has several adorable patriotic wreath tutorials. (See them here.)
We hope we’ve inspired you to put some special touches on your Fourth of July celebration this year! For even more ideas, follow our Pinterest board here.
From all of us on the She’s Intentional team . . . Happy Fourth of July!