American expats: Independence Day celebrations?

[Grimmy]

I can't believe it's almost that time of year again already!

Do you do anything to celebrate? I like to make something American for dinner with an apple pie or something, but that's about it.

[origami]

Oddly enough, our apartment has a perfect view of July 4 fireworks because we overlook a US military base. Last year we didn't do anything except watch them. This year friends might have a bbq or something. I'm actually heading back to the U.S. but DH will be here for it.

[jennybee1018]

Last year, we decided to have a party with some friends, and even though it was Ramadan, we grilled outside during the day. Hope our Muslims neighbors didn't hate us too much!

This year, my friend is hosting a brunch, because it's also her anniversary and her husband is not in Doha for the summer. So she's having a 4th of July/anniversary brunch. It should be fun!

[GilliC]

The American Chamber of Commerce has a big picnic in one of the parks. I usually go to scope out the American food stalls and buy cheap used books in English from the tent run by the American Women's Association.

[rupertpenny]

Last year I hate a hamburger and drank a Budweiser tall boy.

No plans yet for this year.

[Brit]

We are going to a 4th of July BBQ. We have a handful of American friends here and enough "other" friends who are up for a party. The Ramadan thing is a drag for July 4th, but meh, it'll be just fine.

[loira]

H said something about an event at the British Library, so we might go check that out. I think the US embassy also organises some sort of picnic every year, but we've never been.

[dorothyinAus]

DH plans an "American" surprise every year. Last year we went to a 50s theme diner that had a big celebration -- real hot dogs & real onion rings, and Dr. Pepper floats! I do not know what DH has planned this year, but I know we're doing it on July 3 rather than the the 4th.

[mrsukyankee]

Usually just have a BBQ and beer. This year I'll be in NYC and I'll do the same but in a US bar.

[Grimmy]

Oh I'd like to do something with other Americans but everything is just too far away. London isn't all that far, but it's such a pain to get to.

I don't even know where the US embassy is. I feel like I should, lol.

mrsukyankee that will be my plan when we eventually get a house with a garden. Which, who the heck knows when that will be. The prices over here having me shaking my head.

[marriedfilingjoint]

Coincidentally, an American friend who lives in Dublin is coming to visit for the weekend. We were joking about buying some really obnoxious US flag clothes and wearing them, which turned into us having customized Cafe Press tank tops made that say "Time to get Star-Spangle Hammered." So that's happening.

For some reason, American holidays make me a bit homesick. When I studied abroad, a bunch of us skipped class and put on a huge traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I spent $16USD on canned pumpkin pie filling from the American store. One guy's mom mailed us boxed stuffing and matzo ball mix. We custom ordered a turkey 2 weeks in advanced with the help of someone's Danish roommate, and we all laughed because when we got it, it was the size of a rotisserie chicken. The girl cooking it spent all day on the phone with her mom in NYC asking for help which cost who knows how much (this was pre-Skype!), and it was all worth it because her first ever Thanksgiving turkey turned out perfect. It was a really great memory, but man, it made me homesick, and I am usually indifferent towards Thanksgiving and really dislike my family.