A 4th of July For Your Family to Remember

Happy (almost) Independence Day! July 4 (as you of course remember from those high school history classes you sort of dozed through), marks the day that the early American Continental Congress declared independence from the British, and thus the birthday of our nation. “When in the Course of human events,” the Declaration of Independence begins, “It becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another. . . a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Those are momentous words. This is a momentous day. And if you’re like most Americans, it’s marked by at least 15 minutes standing in line at the grocery to buy hamburger buns, 20 minutes trying to locate the dog’s Stars and Stripes bandana, and a good half an hour arguing with your partner about whether or not the kids are finally old enough to stay up late and watch fireworks.

Just kidding! Sort of. The truth is that unlike the “biggie” holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving), the Fourth of July is an easy holiday to let slip. It’s just one day, so unless it happens to fall on or adjacent to a weekend, it doesn’t necessarily make for a three-day weekend. It may just be an awkward Wednesday, sandwiched in the middle of a mundane work week. It’s easy to let July 4 become just a day off work.

But the research all points to the value of building traditions. July 4 doesn’t have to be an awkward holiday. In fact, with a little bit of planning, it can become an anchor to your family’s summer, and a treasure trove of family memories to cherish for years to come.

Below are some tips to get you started on creating a memorable July 4.

First, the schedule. Hold a quick family meeting to talk about what everyone wants to do this July 4. Maybe your older kids have a pool party to attend. Perhaps your littles would enjoy a picnic or even a day trip to a new park or other location. And of course, there’s the big debate. Fireworks, or no fireworks? Try to create a space for all family members’ opinions to be heard. 

Second, the history. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in just a few weeks? Or that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration? You don’t have to become a full-scale history buff, but knowing just a little more about this holiday and the people responsible for it will likely make you appreciate its significance more. If your kids are older, you could even make this a contest. Who can come up with the most interesting, little-known fact about July 4?

Third, the food. Nothing anchors a holiday like food. You have to feed your family every day anyway, and with just a little bit of extra work, you can make that itself into something of a tradition. Watermelon and grilling are summer staples that may make for a special July 4. You could also try your hand at a flag cake or some other festive dessert.

Fourth, the company. If you live close enough to other family members to do something together, consider doing it! July 4 provides a great opportunity to connect with family you may live close to but don’t see on a regular basis. Your mom’s cousin’s kids, for example, who may very well have immediate family of their own that they spend the big holidays with but happen to be around on July 4. Or if you don’t live close to other family, consider getting together with neighbors, your kids’ school friends’ families, or coworkers. Again, July 4 is a great opportunity to connect and build community with people who may normally spend holidays elsewhere. When you have people over or meet up somewhere together, that gathering alone tends to mark a day as more special than other days. 

Fifth, activities. Visit a lake or pool; hold an epic red, white, and blue water balloon war. If your kids are too little to stay up for fireworks, could they do some sparklers instead? Or if you’re not really up for that much a crowd, are there other big “end of the night” activities you could still do (safely) at home? A bonfire with s’mores?

Whatever you decide to do, and whether or not it “works” and everyone has a stellar July 4, remember that doing something is always preferable to doing nothing. Don’t spend your holiday doing yard work or catching up on chores merely because you didn’t plan anything more fun. Do a little meeting together, a little talking, and a little planning, and make this July 4 the one when your family decided to make a holiday special.

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