Easy Decorating Ideas

Festive Festoons for the Fourth -- and More
Even though your Fourth of July party will most likely be an outdoor affair, you can still make the event festive with just a few simple touches. If you are celebrating Independence Day at home, by all means go all out decorating -- red, white, and blue twinkle lights to dress up trees and bushes, tiki torches, and American flag-themed decorations like flags, balloons, and paper bunting all add excitement.

Star-shaped napkins, serving trays, and bowls can hold snacks and dips. Red, white, and blue flowers will add patriotic flair to tables. Add sparkling pinwheels and glow sticks to the arrangements -- younger kids will love to play with the pinwheels and older kids will think glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark jewelry are very cool once night falls.

If you're taking the party on the road, search out an old quilt with an Americana theme for your picnic "table." Cast iron ants are a fun way to keep the quilt secure and work great with tablecloths as well. Red, white and blue bandannas make very nice casual, real cloth napkins. And finally, consider buying some of those sturdy plastic plates that come with the glass holder built in -- it makes strolling from blanket to blanket or scurrying to the best vantage point far easier. And you can reuse them next year!

 

Refreshing watermelon is the quintessential summer fruit that pleases any crowd.

View Rosy Berries and Melon Salad recipe

 

These super-spicy burgers get their heat from not one, but two chilies -- and the tangy tomato pickle is a great contrast.

View Chili Pepper Burgers with Pickled Green Tomatoes recipe

 

Smoked ham adds hearty flavor to these oven-baked beans.

View Cowboy Beans recipe

 

Refreshingly tart citrus filling over buttery, nutty shortbread-style crust -- what could be a better in-hand summer picnic dessert?

View Citrus Hazelnut Bars recipe

2 More Menus for the Fourth of July