As Canadians, we’re humble but proud of our beautifully diverse country. Wherever you’re spending Canada Day this year, these five ideas will help get the party started.

Decorate for the day

It doesn’t feel like July 1st until you’ve put up a national flag outside.

Continue the red and white theme throughout your home with everything from a quintessential checkered tablecloth and streamers, to balloons and matching maple leaf T-shirts.

Try traditional dishes

Indulge in some uniquely Canadian culinary treats.

Smother your fries with gravy and cheese curds for a delicious poutine.

For experienced chefs, bake a tourtière—a savoury pie native to Quebec with meat, potatoes and warm spices wrapped in a flaky crust. Try this classic recipe.

Did you know the first published recipe for butter tarts came from Barrie, Ont.? Visit your local bakery to pick some up.

Or look for some layered Nanaimo bars, which originated in Vancouver.

Spend less time shopping and more time perfecting your dish. Buggy can deliver your groceries in as little as an hour.

CAA Member offer: Receive free delivery when shopping online at Buggy by entering your CAA Membership number at checkout.

Play Canadian-inspired games

Try your hand at crokinole, which was invented in Canada. In this fast-paced game, players flick disks to get closest to the centre of the board, while also trying to knock off their opponents’ pieces.

Shoot some hoops with your neighbours, in honour of our country inventing basketball.

Set up a scavenger hunt for the kids, sending them to find themed items like a Robert Munsch book, a hockey puck or some maple syrup.

Trivial Pursuit, Balderdash or Pictionary are other homegrown fun options.

Listen to classics

What’s a party without a soundtrack? Create an all-Canadian playlist with favourites like Celine Dion, The Tragically Hip, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Alanis Morissette and The Guess Who.

A good speaker or sound system is essential, whether you’re singing along in your backyard, by the pool or the lake.

The Source has a wide selection of soundbars and outdoor speakers, so you can blast the tunes wherever you are.

CAA Member offer: Members save up to 20 percent on purchases in-store and online through the CAA eStore at The Source.

Get crafty

Keep the kids busy with patriotic crafts.

Draw or paint the flag with little ones using drip-free paint brush pens or markers for a mess-free project.

Create a crown of maple leaves or cute Canadian beavers with brown paper bags, construction paper, scissors and a little glue.

Get what you need

Stock up for the ultimate Canada Day celebration from CAA Rewards^® partners. For a complete list, visit caasco.ca/rewardpartners.

Image credit: Pikisuperstar/Freepik