1) GO TO MASS
Most parishes offer at least one community Mass on holidays. What better way is there to start any celebration than with worship, community, and the Eucharist. I like how Mass in the morning focuses me. I am able to avoid getting caught up in the stressors and complications that oftentimes accompany holidays and celebrations associated with them
2) PREPARE A SPECIAL CLICHE 4th OF JULY DISH
Develop your own or borrow an idea from a friend for a corny, red, white, and blue inspired dish. Even if you are staying home and having a low key experience at home, fun Independence Day food enlivens the day.
I make red, white, and blue fruit skewers: Slide cut-up strawberries, whole blueberries, and slices of banana (or marshmallows) onto the skewer and that is it. (If you use bananas, make sure to squeeze a little lemon juice to keep the fruit from browning.)
Another simple favorite is red, white and blue gelatin cups. This takes a little patience. Use clear glass or plastic cups, fill 1/3 full with cherry gelatin, following directions on the package, refrigerate, and let that set. Once it is set, add blue gelatin (let this one cool slightly before pouring it in the cups), fill another 1/3 way. Refrigerate and let that set; top with whipped topping of your choice.
3) FLY AN AMERICAN FLAG in front of your home. I always feel extra patriotic when Old Glory is waving. Making this piece of Americana part of your décor always puts you in the celebrating mood. Tablecloths, tapestries, plates and napkins are fun ways to make the day special.
4) EAT APPLE PIE.
5) ATTEND COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
Most towns have a fireworks display for the community. Not only is this safer than the do-it -yourself fireworks at home, it is often more spectacular. Little ones and big kids will ooh and aah with delight. Parades are also a fun way to spend the 4th of July. Marching bands and floats are so very American.
6) WEAR RED, WHITE, & BLUE. Shirts with Old Glory, hats, socks, hair bows—go all out. Don your children in red white and blue as well. There are cute girls’ bows and dresses and boys’ t-shirts and caps. It is the one day of the year when it is perfectly acceptable to be very corny.
7) SAY A PRAYER. Make your evening prayers about our country. Pray a Rosary or pray the prayer below from Catholic Online.
God our Father, Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.
You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.”
Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.