Manhattan Flower District

Barbecues are a staple of summer. But you don't want your 4th of July celebration to feel like just any other summer BBQ. How do you make your 4th of July BBQ the one your guests compare all others to? It's actually easy. All you have to do is incorporate a few simple ideas.

Food - Everyone expects burgers, so why not take a cue from all the celebrity chefs serving up gourmet burgers at their restaurants, and take your burgers to the next level? Offer unique condiments like aioli (herbed mayonnaise) or caramelized onions. Try stuffing the center with blue cheese or bacon for an added surprise. Instead of regular hamburger buns, use English muffins or Ciabatta rolls.

Dessert - Bake your own cookies or cake instead of serving store-bought versions. Even if you prefer to bake from a box instead of from scratch, homemade desserts are always a special treat for guests. If you wish to serve ice cream, create an ice cream bar and offer a variety of fun toppings, from crumbled Oreo cookies to fruit to chopped up candy bars.

Presentation - Take foods out of their original containers and transfer them onto proper dishware. This will make your array of food seem more distinctive and elaborate even though you are serving simple foods.

Drinks - Instead of serving regular sodas or beers, consider serving unusual flavors or less common brands. Guests will be pleased to have new choices, and to drink something that they don't normally get to have.

D cor - With red, white, and blue as the colors of the 4th of July, mix those colors into your setting. Arrange mini-flags, or red and white flowers, in small vases and distribute amongst your tables. Hang red, white, and blue streamers or balloons on your front door and on your tables.

A few extra, thoughtful touches are all it takes to make your 4th of July celebration extra special and memorable.