Patriotic Table Decorations on a Budget

Throwing a huge bash for friends, family or neighbors is a tradition when it comes to holidays like the Fourth of July. People have cookouts, music and games to celebrate Independence Day. Each year, though, it gets harder and harder because prices for food, drinks and decorations climb higher and higher. But, you dont need a lot of money to throw a big bash particularly when it comes to decorating. Here are many different decorations you can make for a song.Purchase red, white and blue tape at a dollar-theme store and go crazy. Use it to make patriotic stripes on candles, a table, cups and other things. The best thing about the tape is that you can easily remove it when the party is over.Wrap red and blue tape around a white Styrofoam cup, turn the cup upside-down, and use it as a plate stand. Set a disposable plate on it to hold red, white and blue flowers, finger foods, desserts or other goodies.Purchase cheap, plastic tablecloths at a dollar-theme store; one in each color of red, white and blue. Lay one on the table then place a second color over it. Trim the second cloth off a few inches, all the way around, so you can easily see the color under it. Now trim the third cloth down to a wide strip and use it as a runner. For three bucks you can have a very patriotic tablecloth.Use the tablecloths in a different manner to decorate. Twist each cloth so that it looks like a rope, then braid the three together or use them individually. Wrap one of the ropes around a banister, drape one over the side of porch handrails or tape some around the food table.Use star cutouts to create all sorts of patriotic table decorations. Found at a dollar store as well, the bag of stars can go far when creating a red, white and blue theme. Tape them together to make a unique table runner, attach one to a ribbon and wrap it around a silverware bundle, or just use double-sided tape to stick them to the backs of chairs, onto napkin holders, on hand rails or other places.It doesnt take much effort to print out tiny American flags and stick them to toothpicks. Push the picks into cupcakes, hamburgers, pickles and other things. They instantly give a patriotic look to all sorts of foods.So, you see, you can continue on, as tradition dictates, with the yearly parties on the Fourth of July, but spend less and less. When you make your own holiday decorations you can create a red, white and blue, patriotic theme for the table, the house and other areas - inside and out.