Baby Boomer Old Fashioned July 4th Independence Day Party Ideas Updated for 2014

Celebrations

July 4th Floral Arrangement, MommyBlogexpert.com

This is a #PGeveryday sponsored post

Since I was a kid growing up in the 1960s, July 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. In fact, among the many beloved Baby Boomer memories this time of year stirs up are growing up in a small East Coast town where everyone knows your name, marching in my hometown's parade, going to the fireworks in my Dad's 57 Chevy, and BBQing and chasing fireflies in our backyard.

My small town's 4th of July Parade Circa 1961, MommyBlogExpert.com

Big brother & I July 4th Parade Circa 1961, MommyBlogExpert.com

Just seeing these photos make me pine for my idyllic youth. There's nothing like a small town parade. And don't my brother and I look cute in the Abraham Lincoln and Clara Barton costumes my mother made? I still remember that day as if it was yesterday, not only because of all the mommy love that went into my outfit but because I won first prize in that year's costume contest!

All reminiscing aside, I think the ultimate reason why Independence Day has been a perennial fave my entire life is that I feel so proud to be an American. Yeah, I'm one of those who feels sentimental everytime I say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the Star Spangled Banner. 

My kids & cake I made for their birthday, MommyBlogExpert.com

As you can see from the vintage family photo of my own children, I've passed that patriotic enthusiasm on to my four kids, who are now all teenagers. It's really something passed on from generation to generation -- holidays like the Fourth of July definitely deserve the ultimate celebration with family and friends. And this P&Geveryday post hits all the key points to make your own patriotic casual get together or party this year truly memorable and special.

P&Geveryday's Checklist includes Everything From Party Planning to Cleanup

• Dreaming up your food and drink menu
• Inspiration for All-American favorites for your table
• Ideas for injecting a patriotic theme into food/drink recipes
• What to think about when planning your table settings and centerpieces
• Americana and simplicity rules a casual celebration
• How to keep the party going after sundown, ie sparklers for both kids & adults
• Cleanup made easy without the "Parties Over" let down

My big boy rides in the 4th of July Parade, MommyBlogExpert.com

About the Brand
P&Geveryday is an online platform geared toward consumers that was created by Procter & Gamble, a company that has been establishing brands for the past 175 years, helping people around the world have extraordinary days, every day. Learn more about P&Geveryday by visiting PGeveryday.com -- which is all about making every day special with a great assortment of posts on enhancing family living, food. Also stay inspired by following the brand on Twitter @PGeveryday and on Facebook.

Please Comment Below This Post
Share your own July 4th party tips. How will you be celebrating this year? Alternately tell about your own favorite childhood memories of Independence Day. MBE's readers look forward to reading about your ideas and thoughts.

If you like this post, you're going to love MommyBlogExpert's July4th Patriotic Party Ideas & Style Pinterest Board.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

FTC Disclosure: I am being compensated for this blog post made possible by a partnership with Clever Girls Collective and P&GEveryday and opinions are mine. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.