Elle’s Edit: How to Have a Fun Fourth of July at Home

The Fourth may look a little different this year but that doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun!

Fun fact, the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! It just is such a happy holiday and coming from someone who loves my country it is a great day to celebrate who we are as a nation. This year definitely is going to feel different for many reason. First reason is without question the pandemic. We are trying to get back to our “normal” lives but the country is seeing daily increases in cases and we need to go back to the mentality that COVID is still alive and well. We need to stay safe, wear a mask, and stay home if we can. Typically the Fourth usually means BBQs, beach parties, you name it, filled with our closest family and friends. This year it should be different and we shouldn’t be gathering in large groups. Not worth it. The other part of this holiday that feels so different this year is just what is going on in the US and the lack of leadership and divide we are facing. To me, the Fourth is a day where we all come together and celebrate our country but it feels different this year. The country is so divided and it breaks my heart. This shouldn’t stop us from coming together and find ways to make this country an even better place. There are so many ways to help and educational materials to read, watch, you name it to make a difference.

This is the first Fourth of July where I don’t have plans. I think this is the first year in my entire life where I have nothing planned and I am going to try to make the most of it. I found out I have tomorrow off from work (which is great!) and I am going to go on lots of walks and try to have a normal “me” day. This weekend is supposed to be nice but warm so I am hoping to spend a lot of it outside. If you are at home as well, here are a couple of things that you can do to make the day fun!

Get a burger or a hotdog. Sounds silly but what is the Fourth without a BBQ? Since I don’t have a grill, I am going to find a local restaurant by me and get a burger and find a place to eat outside.

Make your favorite side dishes. My mom is such a hostess and would always make the best side dishes for the Fourth. Even though I will probably grab a burger like I mentioned above, this week I have been making those side dishes myself to have throughout the week. One of them is a garbanzo bean salad, another is coleslaw, and of course endless amounts of watermelon and cherries. Does it get better than that?

Watch the fireworks on TV. Most cities should not be having fireworks this year because HELLO crowds. We can’t have crowds right now and I found out that Macys is still having their show! Of course it is going to be featured on TV so I definitely plan to watch it there to get in the spirit.

FaceTime with friends and family. Being away from your loved ones and even friends is hard during a holiday so I plan to FaceTime people to make it feel like we are connected!

Wear your red white and blue. This one is an easy one for me because my entire wardrobe is pretty much blue and white. Have to find some pops of red to throw in there and call it a day!

What our your plans for the Fourth?

Thanks for reading Elle’s Edit. If you have any topics that you would like for me to discuss, feel free to email me at elizabeth.lane.dooley@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you! xo