Ok, let's face it, there's really only one way to celebrate Independence Day -- grilling out in the backyard and watching a fabulous display of fireworks. And for most of us, that's exactly what we do every Fourth of July. But if you're looking for a way to jazz up your celebration this year, read on for a few special tips:

• Make patriotic attire a pre-requisite for attending your shindig this year. Insist that everyone come dressed in all red, all white, or all blue (the photos will look fantastic).

• Carry the patriotic colors one step further and ONLY serve red, white, or blue foods. Fruits are easy (think blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon), and desserts and drinks are a snap, but whoever comes up with the main course will have to get creative. Maybe pork medallions (white) with apple-cranberry relish (red) and some blueberry coleslaw? Or grilled chicken breasts (white) with salsa (red) and blue corn tortilla chips?

• A watermelon-eating contest is always fun (and refreshing on a hot summer afternoon). Be sure to have blue ribbons for the winners, as well as red and white ribbons for runners-up.

• Bring a little history to the party -- create your own Declaration of Independence for everyone to sign. Customize the declarations if you like, but be sure to include the rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

• Play three games signifying the the rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. You can really customize almost any children's party games to fit, but here's a few suggestions …

-- LIFE: Freeze Tag (you come back to life when you are unfrozen), or Tug-of-War (you keep yourself alive by staying out of the middle).

-- LIBERTY: Capture the Flag, or Freeze Tag (you earn liberty when you are unfrozen).

-- PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: Tug-of-War (with a happiness-inducing prize for the victors), or any team game (baseball, kickball, etc.)

And that's just for starters. Let your imagination run wild. Then drop us an invitation -- and we'll bring the blueberry cheesecake this year.

It's time for the adults to take over the backyard this summer. Send the kids to grandma's house and invite some all-grown-up guests over for a relaxing luau, complete with leis, poi, and a couple of tiki torches. Follow our tips to set the stage for an evening of relaxation and conversation with some old friends. And remember, in Hawaii it's all about a laid-back lifestyle --  so don't overplan the evening. Great food and drink, plus a little ambience, is really all you need.

• Set up several tiki torches around your backyard. You can also suspend candles in lanterns or glass jars looped with wire.

• If you and your friends enjoy making things, construct your own leis out of fresh flowers. All you need are a few large sewing needles and some dental floss. (Make bracelets or anklets instead of necklaces if you'd like to finish faster).

• Rent a hula dancing instructional video ahead of time (or just watch Walt Disney's Lilo & Stitch) to get a few pointers. Pass the pointers on to your friends with an impromptu hula class.

• Serve an exotic punch accompanied by some homemade mango or banana bread. You can also try your hand at poi (just keep in mind that it's an acquired taste).

• The really brave can roast a pig underground. For the rest of you, oven-roasted pork will suffice.

That's it. Enjoy.

(A dalmation on a fire truck, of course.) Seriously, can someone please explain to us the fascination that little boys have with fire trucks? We haven't met a little boy yet who isn't awestruck at the sight of a fire truck, and a firefighter party is high on our list of requested parties. But if you really want to wow your little boy, don't just hand out the obligatory fireman favors and plastic helmets at his firefighter party -- step up the excitement by bringing in a real firefighter or by visiting a fire station. The impact of meeting actual firefighters is something your son will remember for a VERY long time (and dad just might get a kick out of it, too). Read on for some helpful tips about arranging such a visit.

• VISITING A FIRE STATION
Believe it or not, it is relatively easy to arrange a visit to a fire station. Most cities will let you visit your neighborhood fire station at a time of your choosing. And most fire stations are quite used to having visitors. At our neighborhood fire station, the firefighters will even send the kids home with free badges, stickers and coloring books. (Visit your city web site for contact information and call for specific requirements in your city. There may be a minimum or maximum number of children that you can bring, or other requirements.) Remember to prepare the children for the very real possibility that the firefighters may be called out to fight a fire while you are there and that the visit could possibly be cut short. You can try to keep this possibility to a minimum by visiting a larger station with several trucks, where not every truck goes out on every call, or you can inquire about fire stations with lower call rates.

• HAVING A FIREFIGHTER VISIT YOU
This scenario is a little trickier, but not impossible. If you're lucky enough to know someone who knows someone who knows a firefighter, then by all means, use that contact. If you're among the rest of us who don't know any firefighters personally, start by calling the city to inquire if they have anyone on staff who is dedicated to visiting children and schools. There is usually at least one person available for demonstrations, but there is almost always a certain number of people required for an on-site visit (luckily, it is usually the total number of people who will be present, not just the children, so include parents in your head count). If you live in a smaller city where no one is dedicated to off-site visits, ask the person at the city desk whether they know of an experienced firefighter on staff who might be amenable to making such a visit, or just head on down to your local fire station and ring the doorbell. Firefighters are already heavily invested in their community and many of them will usually be more than happy to educate children, even on their own time (just ask).

• ONE LAST TIP:
Whether you visit the firefighters or they come to you, make sure everyone is aware of the age range of the children so that the demonstrations can be age-focused.

After all that excitement, end your firefighter party on a simple note. Round out the festivities with a "put out that fire" squirt gun contest where the children spray water at a paper house with paper flames (the first to make his house shrivel and fall is the winner), or a "stop, drop, and roll" relay where children roll to the finish line. The relay is great for a party-ender, as the children always want to do it again and again. Let them roll to their heart's content while you sit back and savor the parental satisfaction of a fun-filled birthday party that did double-duty as an educational forum for fire safety (and don't be surprised if the other parents begin referring to you as "supermom").