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The 4th of July should be more than just an outdoor party or activity, boom it up for America. Let?s start the morning by raising the American flag; it is Independence Day. This is the day the Declaration of Independence laid the foundation for the US Constitution and nailed down the fundamental principles of freedom we still uphold to this day. Show all friends and neighbors your allegiance to the United States of America.

Two hundred and thirty three years have passed since the United States declared its independence from Britain and from anyone else who threatens our beloved freedom. It is not just that one year, 1776, that we are celebrating; it is for every year since that date which we maintain our freedom. So lets? celebrate with picnics, barbeques, and family gatherings.

As you are entertaining your guests on this precious day, enlighten them with some fun trivia about the Fourth of July. Did you know that only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776? They were John Hancock and Charles Thomson. The state of Massachusetts was the first to recognize this day as a Holiday in 1781 and the US congress waited until 1941 to declare it a holiday. The government sure does move slowly. The first anniversary was celebrated with fireworks and parades. Today, most states outlaw fireworks and you need a permit to organize a parade, but we can still have our barbeque.

It?s time to spruce up grill and prepare for the day ahead. Soon the guests will be arriving. Items not needed nor wanted are balloons that only get caught in the trees or fancy paper stuff all around your yard creating a cheap atmosphere; instead we need the true and distinctive look of America at its best. It does not have to expensive to impress your guests. It is the quality and thought provoking medium of your decorations that will empress. What you?re looking for is items of class and functionality that will set you apart from the rest.

What I have in mind is a functional decoration depicting the United States in its inception. This is, of course, coasters and coaster holders richly engraved with scenes from the Revolutionary War, the Old North Church, and of course, the Old North Bridge. Paul Revere?s Ride is always a hit. These coasters can be designed with engraved pictures of early Americana and include saying such as ?One if by Land, Two if by Sea? or ?The Red Coates are coming.? Everyone knows what that means. Then you can sit back and relax as the conversations begin from the first guest to the last.

Any old drab coaster will not be very impressive. I prefer to use cork coasters. They are light weight, slip resistant, absorbent and easy to clean. If you wish to spend a little more money and really get lavish; the black marble coaster will really catch the eye of the most unscrupulous observer. Let?s not stop at the coaster itself. It?s the picture and words will grab the attention.

The picture must clear and crisp. I find that laser engraved pictures can produce dramatic results. The image is burned into the cork or marble surface and will not rub off or wear off and can be very detailed. Then the words come into play. Choose an Independence Day getting phrase such as ?The Old North Church,? or ?Paul Revere?s Ride,? or even ?Independence Day – 2009.? Whatever phrase you choose, the wording should complement the picture.

In conclusion, the theme on your coaster must match the theme of your party. This is true not only for the fourth of July, but for all celebrations. If you are having a fund raiser for breast cancer, you would choose the appropriate logos and sayings attributed to the cause. Religious gatherings are great; include biblical pictures or quote different Psalms. If you are having relatives over for an outdoor barbeque, funny pictures of hotdogs or chips on the run might work. Once you start thinking, the possibilities are endless and rewarding.

Graduation day– a day of hope, praise and new beginnings. Great accomplishments, hare work, persistence and brains helped the graduate achieve such success, and now it?s time to celebrate! Commemorate this significant milestone by creating memories your graduate will cherish a lifetime.

To organize a graduation party that?s as stress-free and manageable as possible, it helps to plan ahead. Ask for a wish list from the graduate and recruit friends and family to execute the event. Choose a menu of the graduate?s favorite foods and prepare a buffet-friendly entr?e such as taco, fajita, nacho, hamburger or hot dog bar with all the fixings. You may choose to focus on the main dish and beverages.

Create an atmosphere where the graduate?s the star of the day. Decorate with the past or prospective schools? colors, insignia or mascot. Display old report card, school projects, and photographs through the years, awards, trophies, and other mementos that celebrate the graduate?s achievements.

Pass around a scrapbook and ask each guest to write their favorite memory of the graduate or words of wisdom for their future. Deck the tables with disposable cameras or designate a fried to take pictures. Finally, relax and enjoy your loved one?s special day.

If like me, the idea of hosting your own hog roast fills you with a head spinning mixture of excitement and dread, then rest assured, help is at hand. Hog roasts are fast becoming the most popular and crowd-pleasing wing of al fresco dining. Think of it as one step beyond the classic summer barbecue. The full hog roast (which can serve up to 120 hungry eaters)is barbecueing on an altogether larger scale. So there are a few things you will need to know before embarking on your very own hog spit roast. Firstly, you should be aware that if you are having a party involving fifty diners or less, then a hog roast may not be for you- unless you want to be eating pig for the next few months that is! So, you’ve got your one hundred odd guests coming, now what? It’s time to order your pig which you will need to do well in advance (I’d advise anything between two weeks and three weeks to be sure)from a speciality butcher. Bear in mind that you should allow about one and a half pounds of meat per person. Once your pig is assembled onto the spit roast machine- butterfly fashion for an even roast- you will need to make sure that the heat is atleast 12 inches away from the meat to avoid scorching (most machines are designed this way). The hog will take up to five hours to cook properly. It is always advisable to have a meat thermometer on hand to make sure that the meat is cooked all the way through- you can never be too careful. Once the meat is cooked, carve and serve with anything that takes your fancy. You may want to make like a rabbit and go down the salad track. A Potato salad or cous cous is a very nice option. But really a simple slab of meat with hot apple sauce and a soft white bap is all you need to be in hog roast heaven. Once you’ve tried a hog roast, you’ll never go back. By: Joanna Bedford