When it comes to celebrating the 4th of July, sparklers are a staple. While lighting sparklers is a beloved tradition for this American holiday, there are ways to liven things up. Here are four creative ideas you can try when using sparklers to celebrate the 4th of July this year (beyond lighting them in your driveway).

1) Top your food

Forget using candles on a cake – everyone does that. Have you ever tried sparklers instead? Whether you’re serving cake, pie, or any other sweet treat, liven up the dessert by topping it with sparklers!

Our sparklers produce minimal smoke, so you won’t have to worry about your dessert tasting or looking smoky.

2) Create a sparkler centerpiece

Sometimes what could be missing from party décor is a dazzling centerpiece to tie the theme together. Using sparklers in your centerpiece will dazzle your guests.

The average burn duration for our #36 sparklers is 3 minutes, so there’s enough time for your guests to see the sparklers shimmer on the table before they burn out. We recommend placing them in or on something that elevates the sparklers high enough so the sparks aren’t hidden by the container you choose.

3) Write it out

Writing with sparklers is a fun way to get your guests involved in the sparkler fun. Sparkler writing also makes for great photos when you know how to take them. If you’re planning to take a picture, have each person write one letter, and be sure you’re all writing backward so the word is facing the right way on camera.

4) Plan a sparkler photoshoot

Speaking of cameras, you can expand your 4th of July celebration into a photoshoot with your guests. We’re not saying to pull out stage lights and backdrops in your backyard (though you can if you want). Just use a DSLR camera or a smartphone camera to take all kinds of different photos for fun.

Capture photos of your guests holding sparklers, kids running around with them, friends spelling out different words, and more. This is a great way to get everyone involved. Use your creative freedom to play around and take all the photos you want!

No matter how you choose to use sparklers at your holiday gathering, your guests are sure to enjoy sparklers in a fun and safe way.