Get ready for the 4th of July festivities with fabulous finds and 6 party planning tips.

This 4th of July  – whether you’re planning to go out to see the fireworks, watch a parade, or host a party at home, we’ve got fun ideas and practical holiday planning tips for the whole family.

1. Plan a Perfect Picnic for the 4th of July Fireworks

Fuel up for the fireworks with the perfect picnic basket filled with food from one of our eateries and drinks to go.

Pottery Barn (PB) has a great selection of sturdy woven picnic baskets and insulated picnic bags. PB’s baskets like the Providence Woven Picnic Basket even come with dinnerware and silverware organized in their compartments. How’s that for grab-and-go convenience! PB also carries a picnic wine bag with two acrylic glasses, cotton napkins, and a corkscrew.

After you select your PB picnic basket, stop by Soft Surroundings and grab one of their cozy, comfy blankets for your picnic or fireworks festivities.

Shop at TCV’s Randall’s for all your picnic meal needs. You can’t go wrong with make-ahead sandwiches, wraps, and a summery pasta salad made with fresh seasonal ingredients. Don’t forget to pick up bottled water, wine, and other beverages.

Not in the mood for picnic meal prep? No problem. Order take-out from one of TCV’s array of fine cuisines or casual eateries. For a picnic-friendly meal perfect for sharing, you’ve got to try one of the famous, delectable charcuterie boards from Postino. Go for their bruschetta and a bottle of wine for a savory picnic meal.

2. Get Cute 4th of July Outfits for the Whole Family

Show your patriotic pride with style from the Gap. You’ll find affordable, fantastic fashions from summer-friendly cotton and linen in red, white, and blue to seasonal stripes to classic blue jeans.

Coordinate an All-American look for the kids with outfits from Carter’s family matching the 4th of July Collection. The collection includes 2-piece sets, tank dresses, tops, and bottoms. The baby line has rompers and onesies to match big brother and sister.

3. Organize 4th of July Necessities

Be smart and plan for the parades, picnics, fireworks, and family barbeques. You’ll want your day bag packed with everything you need to head out the door and get an excellent place to view the festivities. Stop by Walgreens or Randalls for these essentials:

• Bottled water
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Medications for the road
• Disposable tableware
• Food storage containers
• Snacks
• Magazines
• Patriotic accessories in red, white, and blue: hair accessories, scarves, and hats.

4. Fire Up the 4th with a Poolside Party & Backyard Cookout

Get fired up for your 4th of July backyard cookout and poolside entertaining with the season’s hottest items from Williams Sonoma (WS) and Pottery Barn (PB). Do one-stop shopping for all your party groceries at TCV’s Randalls.

And if you’re a first-time grill buyer or need to update your grill, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality grill from WS. Check out the Vision Icon Hybrid Kamado Grill—the first-ever ceramic Kamado grill that allows you to cook with charcoal or gas. Domed ceramic creates an ideal convection environment for grilling, searing, baking, smoking, and slow cooking. Or go with the American-made Weber Genesis S-335 LP Gas Grill. This professional-grade stainless-steel grill features three powerful main burners, an extra-large sear station burner, and a side burner to cook sauces and side dishes.

Get in touch with your inner grill master and treat yourself to a stainless steel grill set from WS. The Cuisinart 20-Piece Deluxe Grill Set and the WS Black-Handled 4-Piece BBQ Tool Set with Storage Case are top-rated must-haves for beginner and seasoned grillers.

Snap up the WS American Flag Dinnerware collection to add patriotic charm to the table: these sturdy stoneware plates and serving ware feature organic shapes and a classic flag design.

Sip your party drinks in shatter-resistant drinkware. Head over to PB for their collection of durable acrylic drinkware—perfect for the outdoors. Most importantly, Pottery Barn has the coolest drinkware for every beverage, including summertime favorites like iced tea, margaritas, and chilled wine.

Freshen your towel collection with PB’s chic Classic Awning Striped Organic Beach towels. Your guests will appreciate these ultra-soft and highly absorbent towels after a swim.

Shop for all your outdoor cookout ingredients at TCV’s Randalls. Here’s a handy grocery shopping list for your 4th of July party:

• Proteins to grill: hamburger meat and hot dogs; for the plant-forward crowd—veggie burgers
• Grill-friendly vegetables: corn, squash, eggplant, peppers, onions, and artichoke
• Buns
• Condiments
• Lettuce and tomato
• Potato or pasta salad ingredients
• Snacks like chips and dip
• Fresh fruit: watermelon, melon, cantaloupe, and berries
• Bottled water and other drinks of choice
• Dessert: Swing by Randall’s bakery for grab-and-go treats or the baking aisle for all your dessert ingredients. Read on for more dessert ideas.

Need recipes in a pinch? Check out our favorite summer menu from WS. And when planning a 4th of July party or a casual weeknight meal with family and friends, these recipes will help you make the most of the outdoor cooking and entertaining season. Add fireworks to your menu with the WS recipe for Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers with Air-Fried French Fries. These cheese-stuffed burgers, which get an extra jolt of flavor from WS chipotle burger sauce, are sure to win everyone over.

5. Feel the Freedom of the Sweet Life

Sweeten your 4th of July meal with a show-stopping dessert from Williams Sonoma gourmet baking mix. WS carries a yummy variety of cake, cupcakes, brownies, cookie mixes, and decorating ingredients. For bright summer flavors and fun, wow the kids with the WS Rainbow Pop-Up Cake Kit. Or try the Pound Cake Mix in Meyer Lemon and add a patriotic pop of color on top with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

For easy dessert ideas, swing by Randalls bakery and get cupcakes or cookies decorated in holiday colors—red, white, and blue. Or grab some vanilla ice cream and an assortment of toppings for a build-your-own-sundae bar that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

6. Have a Backyard Blast with Games

With company over all day and evening for grilling and fireworks, you’ll need some backyard-friendly games to keep the fun rolling. Here are our top round picks from TCV’s Learning Express, where the product mix is carefully selected from worldwide manufacturers at an exceptional value.

• Strike Zone Water Slide No pool? No problem. Grab this giant 18-foot water slide to delight the kids.
• Tangle LightGames Ring Toss Game Family-friendly game with a twist on the classic ring toss, this set features four rings and five light-up posts that illuminate for hours.
• Archery Deluxe Set With its adjustable tension bow & large, easy-to-hit target, this set is made for various skill levels for anyone ages six years old & up.
• Uno A classic, fun card game for all ages.

Let Freedom Ring

We know many of you celebrated the last two 4th of July holidays in low-key mode; this year, celebrate freedom with family and friends by going all out! For a memorable Independence Day, light up the experience with food, games, patriotic-themed finds, and more from TCV. We hope that you will enjoy these summer gathering tips all season long. We’re your one-stop place for getting it all together!

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