Like most summer celebrations, the Fourth of July tends to be full of traditional picnic and barbecue fare. There are recipes you employ only once a year, like cakes decorated with red and blue berries, Great-Aunt Bethany’s jello mold, your famous potato salad and seven kinds of multi-layered dips. Everyone expects to see them on the picnic buffet table each year next to the hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, and assorted condiments.

But what if they weren’t there? What if, you did something new?

The Case for Traditions

There’s certainly nothing wrong with having traditional foods on holidays; I can hardly imagine Thanksgiving without turkey. Traditions evoke memories of past celebrations, of those that are no longer with us and of the uncomplicated innocence of youth. Smells and flavors are deeply associated with memories and are a big reason why food is so important to our holiday gatherings.

New Kids on the Block?

Just how do traditions get started in the first place? At some point in time, that thing that you do every year at the same time was a brand new idea wasn’t it? And at some point, don’t you get to a place of wondering, why do we do this every year? If this has been happening at your holiday gatherings, it may be time to shake things up a bit.

Ease Into New Tastes by Tweaking, Not Replacing

Sometimes all it takes is a twist on an old favorite to breathe new life into your tried and true holiday menus. Take hamburgers for instance. You don’t have to nix this perennial grilled delight but you can make some savory changes to it. Try making the burgers from different type of meat like Italian Sausage or turkey or a mix of beef and lamb. Instead of ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise, whip up a remoulade, chutney or dressing to jazz it up. And forget about processed american cheese slices; get creative with Gouda, Havarti, or Provolone.

Potato salad is another quintessential favorite that could use a good overhaul. There are four delicious recipes in this article about the history of this summer picnic mainstay. White potatoes aren’t the only ones that can be boiled and mixed with veggies and dressings, sweet potatoes make a delicious and different kind of potato salad. This potato salad has eggs, bacon and cheddar cheese in it!

Keep Calm and Sparkle On

If your desire to be adventurous with the party menu is met with consternation, don’t be dismayed. It just may not be the right time to make a change. And if your ideas for some alternate choices are applauded, be sure not to change everything at once. Figure out which traditions are non negotiable and which ones can be altered or replaced without much notice. Your most important goal is for everyone to still have fun and feel like have thoroughly celebrated the holiday.

photos: picnic, hamburger plate, keep calm