hostess tips for a stress-free 4th
categories: 4th of july party, holiday ideasSan Diego’s Fox in the Morning news recently invited us to share some tips for stress-free 4th of July entertaining! Here are a few screenshots from part of the segment and some tips to help you spend more time at the party and less time in the kitchen:
1. Don’t feel pressured to make everything from scratch. For example – one of our desserts for tomorrow is a store-bought (and super yummy!) Strawberry-Topped Boston Cream Cake. Between the white whipped frosting and the strawberries, we already had our red and white – then we simply lined the edge of the cake with blueberries and voila! A scrumptious patriotic dessert in 5 minutes flat . {Check out the screenshot above to see how it turned out!}
2. Opt for easy appetizers with less than 5 ingredients.
3. Make whatever you can the night before so that you have less on your to-do list the day of the party. This Patriotic Sangria is a great make-ahead beverage!
4. For signature drinks and cocktails, use a ready-made flavored mixer where all you need to add is alcohol…and a cute drink garnish of course! We love Rose’s Cocktail Infusions . The Blue Raspberry and Pomegranate Twist mixes are perfect for Independence Day martinis – and the bottles are so cool they’ll instantly dress up your bar! For a fun touch, float a star-shaped apple slice on top of the martini (as shown above), or garnish the glass with a starfruit wedge.
5. The same "go simple" rule applies for non-alcoholic drinks. Choose easy, festive drinks such as red, clear & blue Jones soda , blue-raspberry Kool-aid (regular or sugar-free), 2-ingredient Shirley Temples or fruit punch.
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great tips! I love the patriotic sangria idea. might have to do that tonight!
Jul 3, 2007 at 6:21 pm -
ok – that star martinis are seriously adorable!!
Jul 3, 2007 at 7:07 pm -
and congrats on being on the news! that’s so neat!
Jul 3, 2007 at 7:08 pm -
I agree with lily – the star martinis are simply adorable! How did you get the star shapes to come out so well? with a cookie cutter?
Jul 3, 2007 at 8:58 pm -
another tv appearance! i might have to ask for your autograph soon, jenn!!!
Jul 4, 2007 at 2:39 pm
congrats! -
Love the star martinis so simple and sooo stylish! I can second don’t feel pressured to make everything from scratch. Every year we host a huge Christmas party and I for one love to cook. I bake for at least a week prior to the party. But a few years ago I got the flu right before the party and went to Sam’s instead. And wouldn’t you know it…everyone raved. Now I do combination of homemade and store bought. Less learned…less stress!!
Jul 5, 2007 at 1:41 am -
Great, solid tips. Thanks!
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:56 am -
Love it!
Jul 5, 2007 at 2:11 pm -
great tips, Jenn!
Jul 6, 2007 at 7:16 am -
Your tips on FOX is exciting news, congratulations!
Jul 6, 2007 at 10:39 am -
why oh why, did I not come here before the 4th?
Jul 14, 2007 at 5:25 pm
That cream cake looks divine, and I’m all over the Patriot Sangria! Do I really have to wait til next year? Think it’s time for another backyard BBQ. -
WOW. Congratulations, Jenn!!
Jul 25, 2007 at 10:21 am
