By MICHAEL FRENCH

Planning a 4th of July party? The most important part is to invite people you like the best, relax and don’t obsess about perfectionism.

A great Independence Day celebration is all about solid 4th of July party ideas. The success or failure of your party will be all about the planning you do.

PLANNING. While you can throw a fun last-minute celebration, without the right planning, you risk your party being a disappointment. Your guests might be already booked and the food pickings at the nearest store could look like they were picked over by turkey buzzards.

What are the most important 4th of July party ideas to think out first? Your guests and your invitations, of course! To be sure you get all the guests you want, plan your guest list and send out invites well in advance. Online invitations and evites, are cheap (or free!). Real invitations can be a lot of fun to send and receive. By far, one the most customary and beloved “themes” for Independence Day is a 4th of July barbecue. This is an easy way to cook for a group, and if you use paper plates, cups etc., clean up is a breeze!

Some other good 4th of July party theme ideas are:

• Luau Party

• Disco Party

• 50 States Party

(Everybody dresses/acts in character as someone from each state)

Before sending out invitations is a good time to decide if you’ll be asking your guests for food contributions. It makes your life a lot easier the day of the party. If you do be sure to say so as part of the invitation.

If you like this 4th of July party planning idea, be sure to ask guests (or a few chosen guests) to tell you what they’re making when they RSVP. Or even make menu requests. That helps keep things simple! We like simple! Making requests won’t come off pushy … it’s just smart.

This is one holiday that has several prominent themes that can help get you started creating the ideal party backdrop. Think back to your lessons about American history. Of course, there’s all that red, white and blue!

It’s really all you need. The truth is creating 4th of July house decorations should be easy because this casual celebration is not a big “decorating” holiday. People will be focused on food, fun, and friends … so a few little touches will be all it takes to set the mood.

Let’s start with some nice and simple 4th of July decorating ideas: balloons! Balloons are an all-time favorite decoration because they’re inexpensive and require no real craft ability to use them beautifully. The best July 4th balloon decorations: Of course, go with red, white and blue. Tie up bundles of three around the area of your party or on the corners of food tables. Want a little more oomph? Make bigger bundles of red, white, and blue balloons and place them on either side of the door, or create a red, white and blue balloon arch.

A fun tip: To make the balloon shimmer like fireworks, blow it up and spray it lightly with craft glue. Sprinkle on some glitter and you’re done! Fast, easy and the visual impact is a lot of fun.

A 4th of July party is always fun. Remember to appreciate and be grateful for the real reason we are celebrating this day: The birth of our wonderful country that began with “The shot heard around the world!”

Michael French is Agenda’s Home from Home columist. Contact Michael at mf7954fla@gmail.com