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The 4th of July will be here before you know it. If you don’t have a huge amount of time to decorate with all things red, white and blue, don’t stress! You can still celebrate Independence Day in style by doing a quick patriotic project or two.  These DIY decorations are so easy that they can be done in four minutes or less.

Here are six 4th of July decorations that we salute:

1. Fireworks Placemats 

Take plain white or beige fabric placemats and give them some 4th of July bang. All you need is fabric paint, a paper plate and a clean kitchen scrub brush. First, dump out a quarter-sized bit of the paint onto a paper plate. Then, dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the fabric paint and press the bristles firmly onto the fabric. Overlap colors to create your own fireworks display! Tip: To make smaller fireworks, just use a smaller brush.

2. Painted Mason Jars

If you already have red, white and blue spray paint in your craft room or garage, this project is for you! Simply take three mason jars and paint them. You can paint each jar a different color or turn them into a makeshift American flag. To do this, paint one blue and tape off straight lines with painters tape (to make red and white stripes) for the other two.

3. Layered Centerpieces

Head out to your local supermarket and pick up three jars of sprinkles: one red, one blue and one white. Gather up a few small vases or glass containers, and pour each color of sprinkles into the vase, one color at a time. This will create a beautiful, layered centerpiece display for your table! Place a few tall candles inside for some patriotic lighting. Tip: If you don’t have time to run to the store, use white rice and dye it with food coloring.

4. Decoupage Tin Cans 

Cover various size cans (coffee cans work great for this) in scrapbook paper. Cut out your decorative paper so it fits evenly when wrapped around the jar, and then lightly coat the tin with spray adhesive. Adhere the paper to the tins. That’s it! Add water and flowers for a quick vase, or fill each tin with eating utensils for a buffet-style display.

5. Patriotic Printables

Few things are faster than clicking the print button. If you’re looking for quick 4th of July art, you can find fun, patriotic printables online, and most are free or super cheap. We especially like this one from eighteen25. All you need to do is find one that fits your style, hit print and then frame it.

6. Streamer Table Runner

This festive 4th of July table runner creates a bright, bold statement in no time. Grab rolls of red, dark blue and light blue crepe streamers to place over a white table cover. Lay out five lines of streamers across the table in whatever color pattern you’d like. Then, weave the streamers perpendicular to the first pattern. Weave each strand in and out for a plaid effect, and you’ve got a table runner that’s party-ready.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

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When it comes to 4^th of July gatherings, the old adage “the more, the merrier” almost always applies. With humans, that is. The thing is, insects also love a good party, but they’re much less fun to hang out with than your friends and family.

To avoid spending your holiday swatting at six-legged party crashers, keep these tips in mind:

1. Use Marigold Centerpieces

Not only are marigolds an attractive accessory, they’re also natural insect repellants. Placing a pot of them on the table will keep bees and other bugs from milling around your tasty 4^th of July treats.

2. Keep Food Covered

Speaking of treats, your guests won’t be the only ones attracted to your watermelon slices and potato salad. Keep bugs from sampling the spread by covering dishes with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

3. Place Cucumbers on the Ground 

To keep ants from scaling the table, place slices of cucumber (which ants hate) on the ground surrounding its legs. Tip: If you don’t want to confuse your guests with strangely-placed vegetables, grate the cucumber into fine shreds so that it is camouflaged in the grass.

4. Distance the Trash

Placing the garbage can near your eating area is a logical-but-buggy choice because trash is a major pest magnet. To spare your guests unnecessary swatting efforts, keep your waste covered and away from the action.

5. Grill with Herbs 

Sage and rosemary smell dreamy to us, but they’re a bug’s worst nightmare. Placing these herbs directly on the coals of the grill when barbecuing (AKA “The BBQ Bomb”) will have your human guests gathering around and insects fleeing for the neighbors’ yard.

6. Garden Smart 

If you have a garden, plan ahead and plant natural bug-repellants like lavender, citronella, spearmint and chrysanthemum so that they’ll be in full bloom by the time your party rolls around. Tip: If you’re late to the planting game, you can still buy these plants in pots and place them strategically around the yard.

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”  ~Elmer Davis

As Americans, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4^th to honor our nation’s birthday.  It is day replete with parades, cookouts, picnics, flag waving, fireworks, and a heavy dose of patriotism. 

JULY 4, 1776:  The Second Continental Congress completed its work on the Declaration of Independence.

JULY 4, 1941:  Independence Day was first celebrated as a federal legal holiday.

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”.  ~William Faulkner

Did you know that there is a one-gun salute fired at noon on July 4^th on every capable military base?  It is called the Salute to the Union.

IT’S A GRAND OLD FLAG…and there are specific rules about displaying it proudly and properly. Click here to brush up on how to honor Old Glory.

FABULOUS FOOD:  Having a cookout or picnic with friends and family?   Think about foods that come in patriotic colors--white snow cone cups filled with red and blue berries, e.g.  Be sure to offer hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon for an all-American meal.  Maybe even Mom’s apple pie to top it off!  Food Network stars share many delicious recipes for this holiday, and the web even offers a video of grilling safety tips.  For updated and healthy food choices, visit Health.com

Having a holiday gathering?  Better Homes and Gardens has many websites to help you with food, decorations, and crafts for the kids.  Click here for trivia questions such as” How many verses does the Star Spangled Banner have?” to challenge your guests. 

Spread the word—and patriotism.  123Greetings.com offers a good selection of holiday-themed cards to send to family and friends.

FIREWORKS FINALE:  Nearly every U.S. city or town offers an exciting fireworks display to end the day’s festivities, and we’re never to old or young to ooh and ah at the spectacle.  Perhaps the longest celebration is fittingly held in Philadelphia---a 9 day festival culminating in back-to-back fireworks!

George Washington once said, “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”  Do remember, however, that such a plant needs to cherished, nourished, and protected by each and every American.

Have a safe and happy 4^th!

The 4th of July will be here before you know it. If you don’t have a huge amount of time to decorate with all things red, white and blue, don’t stress! You can still celebrate Independence Day in style by doing a quick patriotic project or two.  These DIY decorations are so easy that they can be done in four minutes or less.

Here are six 4th of July decorations that we salute:

1. Fireworks placemats. Take plain white or beige fabric placemats and give them some 4^th of July bang. All you need is fabric paint, a paper plate and a clean kitchen scrub brush. First, dump out a quarter-sized bit of the paint onto a paper plate. Then, dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the fabric paint and press the bristles firmly onto the fabric. Overlap colors to create your own fireworks display! Tip: To make smaller fireworks, just use a smaller brush.

2. Painted mason jars. If you already have red, white and blue spray paint in your craft room or garage, this project is for you! Simply take three mason jars and paint them. You can paint each jar a different color or turn them into a makeshift American flag. To do this, paint one blue and tape off straight lines with painters tape (to make red and white stripes) for the other two.

3. Layered centerpieces. Head out to your local supermarket and pick up three jars of sprinkles: one red, one blue and one white. Gather up a few small vases or glass containers, and pour each color of sprinkles into the vase, one color at a time. This will create a beautiful, layered centerpiece display for your table! Place a few tall candles inside for some patriotic lighting. Tip: If you don’t have time to run to the store, use white rice and dye it with food coloring.

4. Decoupage tin cans. Cover various size cans (coffee cans work great for this) in scrapbook paper. Cut out your decorative paper so it fits evenly when wrapped around the jar, and then lightly coat the tin with spray adhesive. Adhere the paper to the tins. That’s it! Add water and flowers for a quick vase, or fill each tin with eating utensils for a buffet-style display.

5. Patriotic printables. Few things are faster than clicking the print button. If you’re looking for quick 4^th of July art, you can find fun, patriotic printables online, and most are free or super cheap. We especially like this one from eighteen25. All you need to do is find one that fits your style, hit print and then frame it.