Many grow up with the idea that the 4th of July is time for parades, candy, and fireworks. There is so much more to the meaning behind this day. It is the day that marks the birth of the United States of America. In 1776, it was the day that our Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. There are many ways that Americans celebrate the 4th, but one easy way to show pride in our country is to decorate. This could be inside or outside, or even both.
For many of you, hanging a flag in your front yard is all you need. However, another simple way is to put a patriotic wreath on your front door. Wreaths can be used during any holiday season and are a quick thing to change in and out. Pictured above is a simple burlap wreath, to which red and white ribbon was added and a blue star was placed on top. The whole thing could be a compilation of red, white, and blue tulle if you wanted to get crafty and make one yourself. This is also a great option because it does not require you to own your own home. All you need is a front door.
Another quick solution is the addition of a pallet. I love these for multiple reasons. The first is they are FREE! (depending on how you get ahold of them) The rough, warn out look is really in right now, so if you were to get one from a local store it could be free. If you are wanting something more like the picture on the right, then you could also easily build on yourself out of some 2 x 4’s. Then add a quick coat of paint and you are done. Another great feature is that you can reuse these. Add a few extra boards on the other side and paint them and it could be used for another holiday.
A way to stay away from the typical pallet design but still use the natural look of wood is by creating a modern version of a flag. Pictured above is one way of doing this. A white was was used on every other board to resemble the stripes, while three large stars stand in the place of the typical 50 on the American flag.
Personally, my favorite way to show how proud I am of my country around this time is to garden. This is also a great way to spend time with friends and family. No matter what age, there is something for everyone to do. If you are an arts and crafts kind of person you can decorate the pots like the image on the left. However, if you have a green thumb you can experiment more with the types of plants, rather than the pot. The image above on the right uses the colors of the flowers, with the addition of two small American flags. You could also paint tin or plastic buckets, if that is what you have laying around the house. The idea is to use your imagination!
Incase, you were not inspired enough, here is one last clever way to show the whole world your pride. Relax parents, just get the washable paint that comes off with some water 🙂 Now go be creative and enjoy decorating! Have a Happy 4th of July!!