Why the Fourth of July Should Be Your Favorite Holiday

Christmas presents are nice. Thanksgiving dinner is tasty. Halloween costumes are fun, but nothing, absolutely nothing, beats the glory that is the Fourth of July!

Sometimes I feel sad for people who just see summer as "halfway to Christmas." Our winter holidays come with so much pressure — What will you wear to all the holiday parties? What gift do you get your boss? When do you put the tree up? Take it down? Should you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Ah!

The Fourth of July is stress-free for me. As long as there's tasty meat on the grill, cool sides on the table and fireworks to come, the holiday is a success. There's something for everyone - families, couples, singles, kids. I've celebrated the Fourth of July in England, China and Moldova, and it's always a blast. Americans always seem to find each other and have a good time!

And let's get real: There's no better way to end a day than watching fireworks while surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Am I the only one who feels bad for the Christmas obsessed? Is the Fourth of July your favorite holiday? We want to know! Maybe this should be the first entry in your brand new Patch blog. Share with us your Fourth plans, pictures, fireworks, recipes and more. Or, maybe you think I have it all wrong. Blog about that, too!

Here's how to blog on the "new" Patch:

First, you have to start a blog. If you’ve never blogged with us before, here’s how to start your very own Patch blog:

1. Choose a Patch to host your blog. Go to that Patch’s homepage. For a complete list of the Patches in St. Louis, go to Missouri.patch.com.
2. On the Patch homepage, scroll down below the stories and above the events. There’s a green box (“Who’s Blogging?”) highlighting our wonderful bloggers and a brighter green button that says “Start Blogging!” Click that bright green button to start a blog.
3. Next you’ll name your blog, write a description and choose an icon. These will be displayed on all of your blog posts, so choose a name and description that describes what your blog will be about. (ex. Lindsay’s Blog, Girl Scouts of America Blog, Adoptable Pets in Missouri, Thoughts from Janet)
4. Your blog is created! Follow the rest of the steps to post.

If you blogged on Patch before June 2013 or created a blog on Patch after June 2013, you can post on Patch without creating a new blog! Here’s how:

1. In the top right corner, click the button that says “Hi, Your Name!” (You must be signed in to see this.)
2. When the drop-down menu opens, click “Your Profile.”
3. On your profile is a list of blogs you have access to. Choose which one you want to post on and click on it.
4. Below the name and description of your blog, there’s a white box that says “Write a new post…” Click there.
5.  Above your cursor, there are two words: Note and Article. Choose article for more formatting options.
6. Write! Don’t forget to add a photo.
7. Hit “Post Now.”
8. You’re live on the site!

If you have any trouble, email Lindsay.Toler@patch.com.