Bits of Advice on...

FOURTH OF JULY BARBECUE

• Begin with a patriotic theme: flags; stars and stripes; red, white and blue, etc. Choose (or create) invitiations that retain your theme. For tableware, use paper plates and napkins in the traditional colors. For centerpieces, arrange sprays of hydrangea, bachelor buttons, red shasta daisies or carnations, white daisies, or baby's breath combined with flags, stars or streamers in baskets.

• Encourage guests to dress with a patriotic flair, not necessarily in costume, but red, white and blue. Provide name tags for everyone so that it's easier to meet and greet new friends. Play your patriotic music tapes - Sousa Marches, "Grand Canyon Suite," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," etc.

• For food and drink, consider traditional summertime fare including grilled hamburgers and brats, a watermelon boat filled with fresh fruit, savory baked beans, fresh summer vegetables, corn on the cob, lemondade and ice tea. For appetizers: bowls of fresh popcorn and peanuts in the shell. And for dessert: strawberry, blueberry and vanilla ice creams or sorbets accompanied by brownies; star cookies or cupcakes decorated with red, white and blue sprinkles, flags and frostings. Note a potluck works well for this event too!