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5 Steps To Get Ready For The Fourth Of July

Because planning out a patriotic outfit, meal, drink menu, and playlist doesn't happen overnight.

Jun 28, 2016

5 Steps To Get Ready For The Fourth Of July

We are a few days away from lakes, food, drinks, and fireworks to celebrate the good old Fourth of July. For most people this means a nice long weekend and hopefully plans with family and friends. Of course it's always good to be prepared for holiday weekends because no matter how hard you try waiting last minute to pack, buy supplies, and get to your destination never ends well.

Step 1: Some Songs for the Road

"Never Be Like You" by Flume

"Loving You is Easy" Zac Brown Band

"Howling at Nothing" Nathaniel Rateliff &The Night Sweats

"Hang Loose" The Alabama Shakes

"Until You Were Gone" Chainsmokers

"Here's to Us" Ellie Goulding

"All Star" Smash Mouth

"Mr. Jones" Counting Crows

"Life is a Highway" Rascal Flatts

"Good Life" One Republic

"Send Me on My Way" Rusted Root

"Valerie" Amy Whinehouse

"Drift Away" Uncle Kracker

"Always Alright" Alabama Shakes

"Left Hand Free" Alt J

"Beautiful Soul" Jesse McCartney

"Thought of You" Justin Bieber

"Smack That" Akon

"Unwritten" Natasha Beningfield

"Fatbottom Girls" Queen

"Bad Moon Rising" Creedence Clearwater

"One Week" Barenaked Ladies

"Only Wanna Be With You" Hootie and the Blowfish

"You Shook Me All Night Long" ACDC

"Dancing in the Moonlight" King Harvest

"Whatcha Gonna Do" Drop City Yacht Club

"Raging" Kygo

"Coming Over" Dillon Francis

"America the Beautiful" Ray Charles (you've got to end a strong patriotic note, of course)

Step 2: The Drinks

The Fourth of July is of course known for excess amounts of red, white and blue clothing, but take it one step further and bring out the red,white, and blue drinks, too. Thanks to gimmesomeoven.com, here is a perfect Sparkling Patriotic Sangria recipe:

gimmesomeoven.com

Ingredients

Produce

2 cups Blueberries, fresh
3 Granny smith apples
1 cup Raspberries, fresh
1 lb Strawberries, fresh

Drinks

1 cup Apple juice

Frozen

1 Ice

Beer, Wine & Liquor

1 bottle Champagne
1 bottle White wine, dry

Step 3: Food

This may be the most important step but it's also the easiest because when you say "Fourth of July" your next thought should be grilling out. So before going anywhere, here's a quick grocery list:

Hot Dogs

Hamburgers

Grill-able Veggies- Corn, Zucchini, Mushrooms, Peppers, Eggplant etc (for your vegetarian pals)

Buns (for burgers and dogs, and if you are feeling really nice to those gluten free people out there some gluten free bread)

Chips, chips, and more chips

Salsa

Guacamole

French Onion Dip

Watermelon

Cheese and Crackers (because whats a party without them?)

Ice Cream

Step 4: Fireworks

No matter where you celebrate this year, there has to be at least sparklers included because it's just tradition. On America's one year anniversary on July 4,1777 celebrations included bonfires, fireworks, and parades, so why on July 4, 2016 would not do the same?

Step 5: Make it Through The Week

The work week leading up to a holiday weekend has a way of lasting forever, but if you just survive the weekend awaits. The best way to do it is remind yourself of three important things: 1. The fourth is on a Monday this year. I will get a free day off work. 2. Even though I have to work Friday I also get to leave town and start the festivities. 3. More work more money, and more money means more drinks later.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Steps To Get Ready For The Fourth Of July

Because planning out a patriotic outfit, meal, drink menu, and playlist doesn't happen overnight.

Step 1: Some Songs for the Road

Step 2: The Drinks

Ingredients

Produce

Drinks

Frozen

Beer, Wine & Liquor

Step 3: Food

Step 4: Fireworks

Step 5: Make it Through The Week

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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