What would the summer be without a barbecue, some fireworks and a backyard full of family and friends to celebrate the country's independence?

For many people July 4th (July 1st for Canada Day celebrants) is the official kick-off to the summer entertaining season, and they plan on making the most of the holiday by planning festive celebrations. But will the financial crunch of today's economy take a bite out of July bashes this year? It doesn't have to. There are plenty of ways to host a bang of an independence day party without spending too many bucks.

• Barbecue foods are some of the most cost-conscious ones available. Hot dogs and hamburgers will satiate those on the guest list and are reasonably inexpensive, especially when you buy in bulk. For even more savings per burger, purchase flash-frozen hamburger patties instead of fresh from the meat counter. Supermarkets generally discount buns and condiments close to the July 4th weekend, so browse through sales circulars for the best deals. If money really is an object, have a BBQ pot luck, asking guests to bring one dish each.

• Send out e-vites to guests and save on postage and paper invitations. They're fast, environmentally friendly, and best of all: inexpensive to send.

• Entertainment can be simple. If kids will be attenting the festivities, they usually can be entertained by a day in the backyard swimming pool or by setting up a sprinkler to keep cool. Adults will make due with conversation and some music playing in the background. If budget allows, you can purchase some outdoor games, such as water balloons, a limbo stick and a pinata.

• Visit a 99 cents store. For those with this type of store in their neighborhood, shopping for party supplies can be inexpensive. These stores stock everything from colored plates and napkins, balloons, decorations, and more for around one dollar each item. If you don't have a 99 cents store, wholesale-type stores may also stock inexpensive items, or look to online retailers like OrientalTrading.com.

•Reign in the booze budget. Alcoholic beverages can take a bite out of a budget, so stick to one or two options, such as malt beverages and beer. Or you can create one signature mixed drink that fits in with the theme of the party. Have a non-alcoholic version available for the kids and those designated drivers.

• Do dessert. On a hot day, and after spending hours in the yard, a cool dessert will be appreciated. A cost-effective treat is prepackaged ice cream cups. Or find out if you can arrange to have an ice cream truck pass by your home the day of the party and make dessert the guests' responsibility.

• Watch someone else's fireworks display. Fireworks are expensive and illegal in some areas. So leave the display to someone else. Public parks, boardwalks and municipal areas tend to put on fireworks shows every year. The key is to track down a display nearby on the day of your party. Then just bring your own chairs and enjoy the show.

Firework Alternatives

A large part of July 4th celebrations is making noise and filling the sky with color. Many people rely on fireworks to add spark to their festivities, but a similar effect can be achieved with noisemakers and confetti, a safe alternative to fireworks. Fill a pie tin with beans, and then top it with another pie tin. Staple and decorate with red, white and blue crepe paper, and you've just made a homemade noisemaker! For color, purchase some construction paper that can be shredded or cut into small pieces. Use it as confetti at backyard bashes.

Enjoy Fireworks in a Safe Manner

One may be hard-pressed to find a person who doesn't enjoy a breathtaking fireworks display. These pyrotechnic delights are one of the hallmarks of the summer season. Parks, area beaches and many other recreational areas feature fireworks displays to light up the nighttime sky. Fireworks are also very popular for personal use, with peak use around big holidays, such as Independence Day or Canada Day.

Consumer fireworks, if used in accordance with their instructions, are very safe, says the National Council on Fireworks Safety. Injuries from consumer fireworks have dramatically decreased over the past twenty years, despite an increase in usage by consumers. Today, some form of consumer fireworks are allowed in 45 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. But some fireworks can be dangerous. It is recommended that you only buy consumer fireworks from a licensed store or stand. Never buy fireworks from an individual's house, or from someone on the street. Such fireworks are likely to be illegal explosives that can cause serious injury.

Consumer fireworks regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission are packaged in bright colors and have safety warnings on the packaging. The packaging sets forth the country of origin, normally China. Typical consumer fireworks include fountains, cones, sparklers, fire crackers, bottle rockets, and multiple tube products. Illegal explosives are often unpackaged and are wrapped with plain brown paper. They are unlikely to have any safety warnings, or place of manufacture. Many of them are handmade in basements or illicit factories. They go by names such as M80, Quarter Stick or Cherry Bomb. If someone approaches you to sell one of these illegal explosives, politely decline and then call your local police department.

If you're planning on enjoying fireworks at your next party or event, follow these safety tips.

• Only use fireworks if they are legal in your area. Shooting fireworks illegally will likely result in fireworks confiscation by authorities (a waste of your money), fines or even jail time.

• Fireworks are for outdoor use only. Do not light them indoors and then carry them outside.

• Follow the instructions for fireworks usage on the packaging. Use them only as intended. Do not try to combine fireworks to get a bigger bang or light display.

•Keep water in a bucket and a hose nearby for safety reasons.

•Fireworks should be operated soley by an adult. This adult should wear safety glasses. Spectators should keep a safe distance. Always let common sense prevail.

• Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting.

• Don't try to re-light a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes or more and then extinguish the dud in a bucket of water.

•Sparklers can be beautiful but also dangerous. Do not let children under the age of 12 handle sparklers.

• Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush, leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.

•Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.

•Be respectful of others. Do not shoot fireworks off for a long duration into the wee hours of the night. Neighbors may be trying to get some sleep.

By being safe, you can ensure that this summer fireworks season will be enjoyable and a delight to behold.

Did You Know?

Congress did not officially declare July 4th a paid federal holiday until 1931, 61 years after it was initially proposed as a federal holiday. Of course, the significance of July 4th dates back to July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Though Philadelphians remembered the 4th of July the following year, with celebrations that even included firecrackers, most celebrations proved modest until the war ended in 1783. However, certain places adopted July 4th as a holiday beginning in 1783. Boston, for instance, had used the date of the Boston Massacre (March 5th) as its major patriotic holiday until the city made July 4th a holiday upon the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. Boston's celebration of July 4th continues to be one of the nation's strongest, and its annual Independence Day fireworks show held over the Charles River Esplanade has even been broadcast nationwide in recent years.

Did You Know?

Fireworks are known and loved all over the world. They're often a part of festivals and holidays, adding excitement and spectacle. The invention of fireworks is credited to the Chinese. The first fireworks were actually green bamboo that were thrown into fires to scare spirits away in ancient China, called "pas chuk." It is believed that gunpowder was discovered accidentally by a Chinese alchemist who mixed sulphur and salt peter (potassium nitrate) over a fire. The Chinese name for gunpowder is "huo yao" (fire chemical).