Memorial Day and Independence Day are the two holidays where we Americans are given the green light to go full-on red, white and blue. As with every holiday, I look to the celebration maven, Martha Stewart, for inspiration on decor and food but I've also included some great ideas from other very creative sources as well. Just click on the links for recipes and directions and have fun!
Invitations:
While there are so may ways to make your own, festive invitations and a good selection of well designed, fill-in-the-information cards out there, if you're planning a more formal shindig, or just want the convenience of custom invitations, these graphically cool ones from
Tiny Prints, are a great way to go.
Some other websites for fun Fourth of July invitations:
Decor:
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| Four-Star Dining Decorations |
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| Fireworks Table Setting |
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| Patriotic Napkin Rings |
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| Easy Sand Castles |
Treats:
Whenever I think of a fourth of July celebration, I'm reminded of the classic
Martha Stewart, flag sheet cake my mother used to make. Not only is it so visually cool, but it's incredibly delicious as well.
Below are just a few of the many fabulous looking (and no doubt, tasting) red, white and blue desserts from Martha and other creative bakers and foodies.
Chasing Fireflies is a great source for unique, luxury items like these, for every season or holiday.
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| 4th of July Treat Hat |
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| Liberty Lollipops |
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Happy 4th of July Gumballs
Clear paint cans, and polka dot ribbons like the ones here, can be found at Michael's.
You can make your own label on a computer or create one by hand. |
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Star-Spangled Cookies
Mason jars like the this one can be found at most supermarkets.
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Addendum:
We're attending our second annual fireworks watching party tonight, and last year, for my hostess gift, I brought cupcakes, not knowing there's a making one's own cupcakes tradition hosted by the neighbors. Whoops! This year I wanted to bring something just for our gracious hostess, so, noticing that she used the same fabulous dish washing liquid that I do
Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena, so I bought her a bottle and accompanied it with a patriotic dish towel and oven mitt set (and flag). I'm already thinking about what I could bring next year if we are invited (I sure hope so!). Does anyone have any great red,white and blue hostess gift ideas? Share them here!
Lou- This is GREAT! I feel like I'm reading a Better Homes and Garden magazine!
ReplyDeleteI love the cake in a jar!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun?! Jen G. loved it too. Check out all the other cakes-in-a-jar on the web site...they're all cool!
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time at O's Fire Engine party! The kids especially loved climbing around on the real fire truck! They could have done that all day.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Also, we have several of the IKEA Expedit cube systems at our house. One in D's room and two in the basement. Great for books, baskets of toys, and racing trophies of course! Love that store!
I'm so glad you could come and that the kids had fun! Yes, I remember your having the Expedit in D's room when she was a baby and thinking it looked great in the space. How I wish we had an Ikea in Vermont...
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, this is a very good blog about your business. Yes, cubes are wonderful. I have old ones that I think I will try spray painting. And the Container Store is great, have you been to one? I went to one in Il, years ago. We need one here!! I made a sheet flag cake once, a long time ago. They're fun and easy and look and taste so good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sunny! Yes, I've been to the Container store several times in NYC. Like Ikea and Target, I also wish we had one here. That's great that you made the cake. I just may make my first one this coming 4th. Thanks for commenting and I'd love to see before and after pics of your cubes when you paint them :)
ReplyDelete