Fourth Of July Party
For a July 4th party choose food as well as tableware that complements the red, white and blue theme.
Table cover
Remove the sticks from inexpensive parade flags and stitch the flags together to make place mats or a banner to place down the center of the table like a runner.
Table Setting
Cover the table with red and blue spatter painted canvas (could be painter's drop cloth). Fill a blue spatterware pitcher with red carnations. Place a red napkin on each blue spatterware plate. Fill a bright red bowl with red grapes or blueberries for the centerpiece.
Patriotic Table
Buy a patriotic patchwork quilt to hang or use as a table cover at a July 4th party. Or, make a red and white, or blue and white patchwork cover for the occasion.
Not For Stitchers
If sewing isn't your thing, stencil a traditional quilt pattern in red, white and blue on an artist's canvas or a piece of plywood.
Stars and Stripes Forever
Throughout the year collect all sorts of table top items adorned with stars or stripes or in red, white and blue colors to use for your July 4th table. Yard sales area good source and you'll be surprised how creative a table you'll set with a bunch of mismatched but interesting items with a theme.
Flowers, Vegetables and Fruit
Fill a basket with fresh, polished apples, a mushroom basket with bright red tomatoes, a white bowl with plump strawberries and a pitcher with blue cornflowers. That's all you'll need for delicious decorations.
Napkins and Napkin Holders
Use blue and white checked dishtowels for the napkins at a barbecue and tie each with red streamers. Attach sticker stars to the ends of the ribbons.
Paint Your Own Tablecloth
Use plain white shelf paper and Magic Markers to make a giant flag for a table cover.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted by permission HouseNet, Inc.