Lydia Menzies’ Party Wagon Brings On the July 4th Fun

By Jill Brooke

Just because COVID has put a damper on large gatherings doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun.

Lydia Menzies, the Georgia-based owner of The Party Wagon, thinks this July 4th celebration can actually be more special.

“Small gatherings are a great opportunity to spoil your guests a little more with small details,” she says.

What are some of her signature details?

“Add thoughtful gestures such as a small party favor at each place setting at the table.,” she adds. “For a fun flair, top dessert with a sparkler when you serve it. Or host an American wine or beer tasting to create a fun activity for everyone to enjoy.”

Don’t you want to get invited to one of her events?

As nature has pressed the reset button, suddenly cozier intimate gatherings with cherished friends and family seem more pleasurable. Conversations not only happen but flow. 

But you still have to decorate the table. As Valentino once said, tables should be a feast for the eyes.

Menzies’ work is a buffet of beautiful ideas.  Her style is freshly inventive, as though a summer breeze is passing through, especially in her beloved Nantucket. Nothing is ornate or overdone.

Her career actually started in 2011 as a website to share kids’ party ideas and creative DIYs. Friends would ask to borrow her party decorations, and the items put in the back of her car were jokingly referred to as “The Party Wagon.” She took the name for her company.

With so many requests for her creative flair, it led to this career.

In fact, one of her ideas for July 4th is using daisies or wildflowers and tying the vase or flowers with red and blue ribbons.

“It’s an understated way to create red, white, and blue,” she says.

Of course, it’s that word understated we want—or certainly I want—when I entertain. 

Plus with floral supply chains impacted, daisies and wildflowers are easily accessible and can be purchased at a supermarket or your backyard. Then you can add the gentle red anemone or even the creamy white tulip.

As for drinks, Menzies has given us her lemonade recipe. We particularly like cutting star shapes out of watermelon and adding a few blueberries to the drink. In fact, we may keep that idea and use it for many other holidays.

Check out the recipe below!