Most upscale grocery stores have a bakery department where you can order a sheet-pan flag cake for July 4th with some advance planning.
Hot dogs can be dressed up with warm sauerkraut and brown mustard.
Horseradish-mayonnaise is a nice dip for sliced, grilled vegetables.
Mustard-mayonnaise perks up hamburgers with lettuce and tomatoes.
A red, white, and blue tablecloth is a nice touch.
Kids can blow bubbles, learn the words to the national anthem (you can get paid to sing this as an adult as gig employment), and play memorization games.
Happy 4th of July in advance.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
