It’s time to celebrate the independence of America! With just a few simple tricks you can turn your home into July 4^th party central. Unite what you have with some new signature items to create the perfect patriotic palace. Get the kids in the act by letting them decorate their own section of the house or yard. Discover excellent decorations you didn’t even know you had buried right in your home. Celebrate America’s Birthday on a crazy low budget, and make summertime memories that will last a lifetime.

 

RED, WHITE & BLUE fans, flags, bows, and tie-downs make a BIG impression. Inexpensive disposable plastic bunting is available at your local party stores. For a more classic and formal result consider investing in cotton or nylon re-useable decorations. Check your local flag shop, or scout fabric stores for inexpensive material that will do the trick. Get a great deal by purchasing a few additional items on July 5^th! Stash away and each year add to your collection of AMERICANA MANIA!

 

 

 

To capture that quintessential country style, start by uniting rustic furnishings with traditional July 4^th decorations. Layer antique linens with festive fabric patterns. Keep colors bold and primary to achieve that down home feel. This is the perfect holiday to blend classic family heirlooms with summertime casual. Dress a festive floral arrangement with stars and stripes, use flags in paisley or plaid rather than traditional RED, WHITE & BLUE, or adorn a charming gazebo with festive fold-out fans. Whether it be your small back yard dressed with heartland designs, or a wide open range adorned with ideal country style, you can’t beat a CLASSIC COUNTRY 4^th of July!

 

Plaid tablecloth and napkins are an excellent investment that will adapt to many special occasions! Stick with traditional blue or red Gingham (checks or plaid) or Fleur De Lis (floral design within the checks), and always get one size bigger than needed. It’s easy to fold over and use as a table runner, or drape to the bottom of the table as a decorative skirting. Too much fabric is never a problem, too little is!

 

Quickly and affordably turn any day into HOORAY FOR THE U.S.A.! Mini flags, set the tone for any 4^th of July, big or small. They are inexpensive, come in many sizes and are available at your local party shops, dollar stores, craft centers and even some grocery stores! Layer RED, WHITE and BLUE candy in clear glass, and insert flags to make a festive and edible table topper. Insert mini flags into tasty dessert, or any food you may be serving, place about the table for guests to take home as favors. The 4^th of July isn’t complete without lots of grand old glory.

 

Rummage through Christmas and Valentines Day decorations to find excellent items for 4^th of July. Use red or blue holiday baskets or platters, utilize red or blue patterned place settings with patriotic napkins, and pull out any Christmas stars you have in red, white, or blue.

 

 

 

All shades and patterns unite! As long as you stick with RED, WHITE & BLUE you can create a fun and funky fourth by pulling together any decorations in those three colors. Have one piece of patriotic fabric? Use as a table runner. Mix patterned flags with complementing solids.   Blend solid blue glassware with red serving dishes. Combine white lanterns with checked ribbon, line flowers in solid colors down the center of your table and blend together lanterns, stars, balloons and flags. Let this be the time to gather any items in America’s colors to present a sensational melting pot of patriotism.

 

 

Kid’s out of school for the summer? Keep them busy and get them into the act by giving them projects that will dress the nest for July 4^th. Divide the house into sections and assign each child an area or project. Start a week before to give them lots of time to plan and craft. Hold a contest and give out prizes for MOST CREATIVE, BEST DESIGN, and UNCLE SAM’S GRAND SLAM.

 

DON’T FORGET THOSE TWINKLE LIGHTS! July 4^th is the perfect time to adorn the back yard, trees, and umbrellas with your Christmas novelty lights. If you have any with star caps, great! LED’s perfect! Mini twinkles excellent! Take your time and neatly run light strings down the center leaves of trees and into the seams of umbrellas, then secure with thin wire or zip ties. Run cables neatly and safely and they will illuminate your yard well into the long nights of summer.