Say "Happy birthday, America!" with this star-spangled party

O beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of ... um, well, we were probably going to run into copyright infringement problems there anyway so let's just leave it at "Happy birthday, America!" Few things make us happier than throwing a birthday party where no one expects a gift. And thanks to a little something called the Declaration of Independence, we get to celebrate while watching the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC. So grab your hot dogs, your sparklers (where legal) and your red, white and blue bathing trunks (totally optional - hey, this is America!) and party like when we used to hate the British.

Setting the scene: We suggest you move your big-screen TV into the backyard for this party because who wants to be inside on the Fourth? But because fireworks are dangerous - and illegal in some parts - watching this show will keep everyone safe and sporting 10 fingers (assuming that's how many they came with). Grab picnic tables, red, white and blue crepe paper streamers, bunting rolls, balloons, miniature American flags and anything else with an American flag theme. And for good measure, hire a stilt-walking Uncle Sam.

Attire: It's gonna be hot out there, people, so tell everyone to come dressed appropriately - T-shirts, shorts, swimwear, and red and white striped stovepipe hats.

On the menu: Hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, corn on the cob and apple pie. If you can't find something you like out of that selection, you are a communist, and we'd be happy to get you directions to Cuba. Have an ice-filled cooler stocked with soda, beer and that most American of drinks, Red Bull.

On the hi-fi: Anything by America, Lee Greenwood, John Philip Sousa, Kate Smith or the Beach Boys. Other appropriate singles: "America the Beautiful," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "This Land Is Your Land." And remember, nothing from the British invasion.

The showstopper: No matter what you think of the current situation in Iraq, Americans support their troops. And songwriter Bonnie W. Daniels is doing her part in a big way. Her song "American Hero" is quickly gaining recognition for its heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. Daniels donated 20,000 CD singles of the song to U.S. troops deployed in the Middle East and is donating $5 from every sale of her album, "No Fear," to the nonprofit Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, a wounded veteran support organization.