Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007 - Decorating With Stars And Bars

Fourth of July is just around the corner and whether you plan to throw a big backyard celebration or have family visiting, you will need to get the house tidied up and decorated in a festive order before the guests arrive.

First, make sure the front of the house looks inviting and festive, but not overdone. The last thing anyone wants to see is a lawn filled with big, plastic Uncle Sam figures or grass covered with 100,000 flags that you've stuck in your lawn. To avoid the Fourth of July overkill pick up a few strings of red white and blue icicle lights and string them across the front porch or hang them from the roof. The flag should also be an essential part of your outdoor decor. Get a fairly good size flag and either a base or a holder that will attach to a nearby tree or house as a memorial to America's independence. Hanging bunting is also a good option because even though it's the same material as a flag, your house will stand out a little bit more with this unique presentation. Opt out of the cheap and flimsy small flags with wooden poles that can be stuck anywhere.

Once the guests arrive to marvel at your grilling abilities, you also want to wow them with your decorating talents. Whether you are having a sit down affair or a buffet-style, the look of the table is really important. Invest in a red, white and blue quilted runner that will make your table ultra-patriotic. Or if you're feeling crafty, make a one-time use runner by cutting a paper tablecloth into a long strip and using a cut out in the shape of a star to embellish it. Centerpieces are also a good idea to make your table more festive and you can be as creative as you want with them. Any party store will have a number of centerpieces to choose from with stars and stripes or even Uncle Sam. Again, you can also make your own centerpieces with flowers from a garden. If you subconsciously thought of Fourth of July while planting your flower garden and used the red, white, and blue color scheme, arrange the flowers in one big flower pot or separate them by color and arrange them around a table. If you are going buffet-style, a nice way to present the utensils is to buy small flowerpots in red, white and blue - one for each utensil.

If you are having a sit down dinner, stars and bars placemats are an instant way to show your pride. Any party store will probably carry these, but if you're looking for long lasting, well-made ones, try Lillian Vernon. The company also makes ceramic napkin rings in the shape of stars. Put a red, white or blue napkin through them and it'll really make the table look great. Making napkin rings are easy enough, too. Buy some red, white and blue ribbon and tie them loosely around the napkins. If you're feeling extra sparkly get some garland and string it through the ribbon to give your place setting a little extra shine.

The best part of the Fourth of July is the fireworks, but while the sun is still setting and in between lighting the massive bombs, light up your backyard. Stringing the red, white and blue lights will also serve as fun mood lighting. You can also buy small votive candleholders in the Fourth of July colors and place them all over the tables. This might be good for only a short time because the small candles will burn quickly. If you like the way a backyard filled with lit candles looks go for bigger candles and put them in bigger hurricane lamps. Go to the local craft store and get some colored sand. Pour one color into each of the candleholders and place them in a row on your table. Guests will love the colored sand and it will be a great way to light your table.

Fourth of July is a festive time of year and a great way to show off your decorating skills. Little touches of stars and bars and red, white and blue will really get your guests in the celebrating mood. Just don't go overboard - don't be the house that the neighbors gawk at.