Whenever we ask our co-workers about their favorite holiday, many of them say it's the 4th of July. Independence Day easily takes the cake for being NNC's favorite holiday because it is a perfect summer celebration with pools and barbecue. It is equally great regardless of whom you celebrate it with, whether friends, family, beloved colleagues or even the neighbors next door. 

It creates a sense of unity and bonding that goes beyond our usual family connections. Besides, the weather is always nice, which always adds points to the success of the celebration. Even when it is too hot, there's nothing that cannot be fixed with a cold drink or a quick swim.

We decided to create a list of tips from us based on the years of celebrating this holiday. This is a light-hearted and friendly post, but if you are looking for safety tips, read this one.  

Without further ado, join us in our celebration of the 4th of July:)

Grilling and Food Tips

Independence Day is a one and only holiday thanks to the grilling tradition. Thanks to grilling, people can enjoy cooking in groups as a leisure activity. Besides, the recipes are easy, and you don't have to be Masterchef to impress your loved ones. 4th of July is all about simple, tasty food, the point of which is sharing.

Collectively, we had dozens of grills throughout the years, and the brand or type does not really matter-they all give you a tasty experience. For cooking newcomers, gas grills are a better option because they are easier to launch and handle. If you are a more handy cook, then a charcoal grill might be a better option for you since it gives you more control over the results of your cooking. Make sure to manually check up the grill before you begin the grilling season so that it wouldn't cause any cooking or safety issues.

Our food preferences on the 4th of July are just like anyone else's- hot dogs, burgers, corn on the cob, and s'more for dessert. There's nothing better than comfort food with a cold beer, margarita, or a simple lemonade on a hot summer evening. We wouldn't share any full recipes cause chances are you already know them better than we do. 

However, our tip is to keep experimenting even with the simple classics as they might surprise you. For instance, dress your corn on the cob in a flavored butter instead of a simple one, or make a mayo-cayenne pepper-lime juice mix for a Mexican cuisine feel. Add grilled blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries into your s'mores and use dark chocolate instead of the usual milk choc or add some store-bought mango chutney into your burger for an Indian twist.

Mix some of your favorite ingredients into hot-dog aside for the usual relish, ketchup, and mustard. The last tip might not always give you the best results, but it is a great group activity that will challenge an adventurous eater in you. Who knows, you might find something that works for you, and you had no idea. People in our team love all sorts of different things on hot dogs: bacon, cheese, corn, popcorn, mushroom, or even peanut butter.

Lighting and Fireworks Tips

We love us some 4th of July lights, and we buy them both for our office and the outdoor celebrations. The white, red, and blue colors of the flag bring us the festive patriotic mood, and besides, they are just fun colors that go well together. The good news is that LED lights do not heat up when operating, so they are not likely to cause a fire if used properly. You can pick any lights you like, but if you choose high-quality lights from a reputable seller, they will last you a lifetime since you'll be picking them only on holiday.

• Good outdoor lighting will make the party last longer and will ensure a pleasurable evening. So, if you are planning a party and do not have great lighting outside, it might be time to invest in some. For subtle, supportive lighting, we love Aeralux Donatello Bollard Fixture that is not only high-quality but also stylish to make your outdoor area more hip and contemporary. If you need illumination for the exterior area of your house, choose Aeralux Astellano Outdoor Wall Pack Light. You can buy both from Nassau National Cable, and we will ship them on the same day you order.

• We are not big fans of home fireworks ‘cause we are well aware of safety issues, and we care about our veterans and pets. It is always more exciting and beautiful to catch authorized fireworks in town than to launch them in your backyard. However, if any of us feels that fireworks are a must this year, we opt for sparkler-like solutions from authorized sellers to keep the fuss and the risk minimal.

We wish our fellow Americans a wonderful celebration.

Love, NNC team.