How to Keep Some Independence on Independence Day
Though Coronavirus may have sidelined many of us from not only our summer socials but also from a lot of our daily activities, there are still a few ways to spend the upcoming holiday weekend apart together. Whether it be hosting virtual family cookouts or organizing online Fourth of July trivia, we can still enjoy some quality time with our friends and family without having to jeopardize our immune systems. If you’re looking for a way to bring everyone together (without coming together), check out these virtual Fourth of July party ideas!
1.) Organize a Picnic Basket Swap
It may not be feasible this Fourth of July to host a family cookout but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the classic 4th fare! So gather up your friends, family, and neighbors and orchestrate a themed picnic basket exchange. Each participating family will create their take on a traditional spread of 4th favorites, including staples like potato salad, hot dogs and burgers, watermelon, and red, white, and blue cupcakes. Decide who will be swapping with who and what time to make the drop offs. To take it even one step further, set up a Zoom meeting so you can all enjoy the goodies together. Can’t decide what to bring to the table? Check out this list of the 50+ most delicious Independence Day dishes that will set any cookout!
2.) Take a Virtual Tour of American Museums & Historical Sites
While life in quarantine has become more limiting to say the least, a lot of public institutions have taken to generating a more positive online presence. Museums from sea to shining sea have opened their doors virtually through offering free online tours and sneak peaks at their exhibits. This holiday weekend, spend some time delving deeper into the history of our country with virtual visits to NASA, the Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, amongst others.
3.) Host an Online Patriotic Movie Night
Are you the type of person who believes holidays should be spent relaxing and napping and not cooking for the masses and getting all dolled up to go sit in 90 degree weather? If so, then hosting a patriotic watch party is the right idea for you! Grab your favorite family members and friends and some popcorn and sit back to a classic Fourth of July themed film. Some classics include Braveheart, Independence Day, and Top Gun. For more ideas on historic films that will leave you beaming with American pride, check out this list of the top 25 patriotic movies.
4.) Write Your Loved Ones Names With Sparklers
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without sparklers, and this is the perfect year to light up the night—and your loved ones’ faces—by writing their name in the air with a sparkler. Text a video of the movements to your family members, or to take it one step further—use a long exposure app for a photo that shows their name burning gold in the dark. Not only will this be a lot of fun for the kiddos to act out, but it will be a keepsake for your loved ones for years to come.
5.) Virtual Fourth of July Concert
When you think of July 4th, almost always are fireworks the first thing that come to mind. However, with COVID-19 still reaping havoc on our communities, a lot of firework displays have been cancelled in hopes of supporting the state’s social distancing movement. Luckily, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra believes that the show must go on! In order to keep its patrons safe, CSO has taken its stage from the Banks of Cincinnati to its stage in Music Hall where they will be hosting a live FREE virtual event for all to enjoy. With performances by Steep Canyon Rangers, US Army Chorus, Melinda Doolittle, and others, this is an event you don’t want to miss. This year, instead of grabbing a spot in the grass, grab yourself a couch cushion and sit back and relax as you watch a magical display of fireworks dance across your television screens, with the beautiful sound of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra guiding you through the show. Make sure to tune in Saturday, July 4th at 7pm EST.
Fourth of July may be a little bit different this year but if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s to cherish the little moments with the ones who mean the most. We may not always have our jobs or favorite restaurants or our schools but something we will always have is each other. Use this time apart to focus on coming together whether it be virtually or 6 feet apart. 2020 is not the year of the virus– it is the year of us; of growth.
P.S. Even though this 4th may be a bit different for all of us, Creative Images is still open and still driven to helping our clients feel confident and beautiful in the skin their in. If you’re looking for a last minute color retouch or red, white, and blue mani/ pedi, we are here for you. Give us a call for our availability or visit here for a list of all of our services.
