Red, White and Coastal: Simple Ways to Enjoy the 4th at Home

This year's 4th of July is different. America turns 250, but I don't think you need a parade ticket or a beach-town reservation to celebrate something that big. Some of the best Independence Days happen ten feet from your own back door.

I grew up in landlocked Hungary, about as far from an ocean as you can get, and I've now spent 25 years in this country; first on the Pacific coast, now on the Atlantic. I still pinch myself from time to time that I get to live near water, let alone two different oceans in one lifetime. That's not a small thing. That's a 250-years-in-the-making kind of thing. So this 4th, I'm keeping it simple, a little coastal, and very, very grateful.

Here's what's on my list.

1. The Backyard BBQ, Kept Easy 

No over-complication around here, just a simple BBQ. Good food, a few string lights, paper plates so nobody's doing dishes on a holiday. Slow down, eat well, talk to the people you love.

2. A Bonfire (Even If It's Not Technically a Beach Bonfire) 

There's something about fire after sunset that makes a holiday feel official. If you've got sand nearby, even better; but a firepit and a blanket works too. This is exactly the vibe I chase with our Driftwood Ember candle: smoky, warm, a little salty. Light one on the patio and you've basically got a beach bonfire without the cooler full of sand.

3. Sparklers, Done Safely 

Sparklers burn hotter than you'd think (over 1,000°F), so: gloves or long sleeves, one at a time, a bucket of water nearby, and never hand it to a kid without an adult right there. Fun first, safety always.

The One Thing to Take Away 

You don't need a big production to mark a big anniversary. A grill, a fire pit, a sparkler, and people you like. That's the whole holiday.

Let's Celebrate Together! What's on your 4th of July table this year? Tag us on Instagram @westlakehandmade We'd love to see your backyard celebration right alongside ours.