#30Seconds In-Depth: Tips for a Fun & Festive 4th of July With Holly Budde! by Nicole DeAvilla

Got big plans for July 4th or just hanging at home with the family? Either way, you'll need some creative activities, patriotic recipes and fun ideas to keep the troops entertained. This week we were thrilled to welcome our #30Seconds contributor, Holly Budde, as our Twitter chat guest. Holly shared her tips on Fourth of July trips, activities, staycations, foods, parties, decorating and more! Read on for her perfect patriotic tips...

Q: What are some of your favorite things to do to celebrate the Fourth of July?

It’s heating up, and that means water required! Usually take a trip to beach or lake, or have a good pool party! Every place is celebrating. Often you can find bargains on city passes for tours in most major cities: museums, parks, etc. Beat the heat on a budget by taking advantage of local and state parks, picnic areas at the lake or go river “tubing.”

A1 We like to have the family come over and have a bbq #4thofJuly #30seconds

— Sharon (@PinkHippo13) June 29, 2017

A1 Cooking on the grilled and spending time with my friends and family. #30Seconds

— Deidra Dees (@Derekmommy2012) June 29, 2017

A1 You can also go to the movies or library for some a/c :) #30seconds

— 🐯⚾️🐠Toni B 🎨 🎬 (@rychepet) June 29, 2017

Q: Many of us aren’t traveling this year with July 4th mid-week. How can we celebrate at home?

Ahhh, a staycation! One of my favorite things. Make it a “no chores” day (that includes you, too, mom!!) and have some fun! Have a party! Invite some friends over and fire up the grill. If you don’t have a pool, kids love slip ‘n’ slides, water sprinklers, water balloons. Adults will join in, too. You can have a PJ and movie/craft day with little ones. Then start your festivities outside later in the evening. Use your imagination, anything goes on staycation! Get the kids involved in planning – they will surprise you with their ideas.

A2 I still love making Jello cake or "poke" cake depending on what you call it #30seconds pic.twitter.com/9EkIQjqdkA

— 🐯⚾️🐠Toni B 🎨 🎬 (@rychepet) June 29, 2017

Q: Can you share with us some tips for hosting our own July 4th parties at home?

The most important thing is to keep it simple! You can have a great party without breaking bank on food and décor. Decorations for July 4th can be found in abundance at dollar stores! I use flags! Line the drive/sidewalk, put in flower pots, vases. So cheap and easy. Nothing says Fourth of July better! Then use recipes with red white and blue foods and, viola, the party décor is done!

I love using my Snoopy window clings..........can use them over & over #30Seconds pic.twitter.com/NHvy2ScldY

— 🐯⚾️🐠Toni B 🎨 🎬 (@rychepet) June 29, 2017

Q: Speaking of festive foods, what are some of your go-to recipes for July 4th?

• Fruit! Watermelon and blueberries tossed in a bowl with crumbled feta and a few mint springs will feed a crowd!
• You can also stack ice cream sandwiches, cover with whipped topping, and top with strawberries for a fabulous ice cream cake.
• Firecracker hot dogs are hot dogs with dough wrapped around them and baked. Kids love these on skewers.
• Burgers, hot dogs, festive cupcakes, fruit water/ice, fruit skewers. All a backyard party hits.
• Set it up buffet style so the host can play, too! Add a grab-n-go beverage bar for more festive fun.

#30Seconds a4 festive color pasta salad. And a flag colored cake

— lorri langmaid (@lorri1956) June 29, 2017

A2 we're having a rib off against all the grown ups and kids are making dessert #30seconds #4TH

— Andrea Jewell (@Ajewell03) June 29, 2017

Q: What are some ideas for a beverage bar?

• Freeze dark/red grapes to chill white wine. Make wine slushes with fresh fruit puree. Use the same fruit puree for kids’ homemade Popsicles or slushies.
• Water bottles on ice in tubs. Toss in some flower petals that are red/blue or make fruit water in clear pitchers.
• For my beer drinkers, I use galvanized party pails with tons of ice.
• Make a large batch of sangria before the party starts. In the south, we always make iced tea, too.

I like to " assign" guests activities like Holl be in charge of the Bloody Mary bar ! Helps cut wrk for me & they feel included #30secomds

— Chefgigi (@chefgigi) June 29, 2017

Q: Any other suggestions for families to spend the day together?

• Have an adventure! Drive a couple hours and see what you find. Chances are there's a fireworks show to see when you arrive.
• Everyone has a place close to home they have always wanted to tour and haven’t. Take the day off and go!
• Whatever you do, STAY SAFE! Water and alcohol safety is always most important.

Actually Fourth of July is a big day reflection for me I'm really proud to be an American! #30seconds

— Chefgigi (@chefgigi) June 29, 2017

Be sure to follow @tweenspot, visit HollyBuddeRealEstate.com, like her on Facebook and check out her 30Seconds page!