Independence Day (aka the 4th of July) is a great excuse to throw a party and the color theme is already provided. You should try to pump as much red, white and blue into your day as you can. Put out colored plates, napkins, cups and paint the walls those three festive colors if you want too. A tablecloth that looks like the American Flag or has red and white stripes similar can be an instant party decoration. Streamers or curled ribbon in those colors can be hung from the ceiling, if you want you leave them long enough to hang down almost to the floor so guests can push the streamers aside to move. Obviously you shouldn't leave them long everywhere, perhaps just between doorways.

Everyone wants to have some kind of fireworks, but there are ordinances in many towns against people setting off their own fireworks. You can give out party favors of sparklers and snaps that make noise when you throw them to the ground for the guests to entertain themselves with after dark, managing to get a good spot for your party in town to watch the cities fireworks display is always a plus. As an alternative you can put up some red, white and blue lights, or put out some tiki torches and light them.

Turn it into a costume party by asking your guests to come dressed as their favorite American heroes and revolutionaries. There are lots of historical figures to choose from, Washington, Lincoln or you can dress up as Uncle Sam or simply come as a fireman, soldier or policeman. The kids will have lots of fun trying to figure out who everyone is and it can be educational for them too. As Independence day is not only a day of celebration, but an acknowledgement of the day we decided to become independent.