7 Savvy 4th of July Essentials, All Handpicked by New Yorkers

In the summer, you’d be remiss not to have a handy and cute picnic blanket at your disposal—but if you haven’t secured yours yet, the 4th of July is the perfect excuse to bite the bullet. Whether you’re having people over in your backyard, watching the fireworks or heading to your favorite park for a picnic, a good quality blanket will make all the difference. PureWow Associate Editor of News and Entertainment Nakeisha Campbell recommends this Zaze blanket from Amazon. “I have used this checkered red-and-white picnic blanket countless times, but I think the colors also make it festive enough for a 4th of July-themed picnic. It's decent quality, and very easy to fold and clean,” she says.

Looking to get out of the house? VP of Editorial Candace Davison recommends checking out the classic Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest in Coney Island—especially if you have kids in tow. “The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a fun (albeit crowded) way to spend the morning. I had no idea what fanfare went into it; it’s like a pro wrestling competition meets food fest,” she says.

And when it’s time for fireworks, we compiled the best places to watch in the city. Just make sure to get there early to secure a spot.

You can count on New Yorkers for a lot of things, and getting crafty with storage space is certainly one of them. Multiple editors named an outdoor side table that doubles as a cooler as the thing to have for a 4th of July party—or any summer BBQ you might be throwing this year, for that matter. We like this one from Wayfair.

Pro tip: Davison notes that lining the bottom of your cooler with frozen water bottles is way more efficient and cost effective than buying a bunch of ice bags. Who knew?

Not even New Yorkers are immune to bug bites, especially those pesky mosquitoes—and let’s be honest, they’re a huge mood killer. Fear not, fellow 4th of July BBQ devotees, we have a few suggestions on how to alleviate the whole ~mosquito~ issue.

Senior Director of Special Projects Rachel Bowie recommends investing in a mosquito-repelling blanket, which she calls “genius.” Hard agree. Or, if you’re venturing down a more traditional route, Director of Branded Content Roberta Fiorito recommends the Kinfield mosquito-repelling wipes, which provide all the protection but none of the harsh chemicals that often come with bug repellents (we’re looking at you, deet).

Of course, you’ll show up to any 4th of July function looking fabulous and festive—but what if we told you that your food and drinks can travel in style too? Between chic picnic baskets, fabulous Le Creuset baking dishes and more, there is no shortage of stylish ways to transport your food on the 4th. PureWow’s Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen weighs in, saying that she swears by her Hydro Flask Wine Decanter. She says that wine decanters are “park and picnic friendly because it eliminates the glass and keeps your wine cold.” So... yeah, it’s pretty much a no-brainer.

Sure, you probably have some little American flags hanging out in your storage room that you put up every July 4th—but what if you took your decorations to the next level this year? PureWow’s Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay suggests checking out stores like Michaels to find unique, high-quality decor. “My secret to affordable decor that’s well made and isn’t too tacky is Michaels! They literally have everything, for every holiday, and their 4th of July stuff is bright, fun and well-made (meaning it’ll hold up through multiple parties over multiple years),” she says.

We’d also recommend checking out Etsy for other decor, like plates, cups, banners, balloons and more. Not only will you have some cute and inspiring decorations, but you’ll also be supporting a small business (which, let’s be honest, always feels good).