Kat’s Money Corner: Prepping for the Fourth
If you’re like me, you love decorating for a good party. The Fourth of July is no different. However, as we all know, decorating can get a little out of control budget-wise. That’s why this week I am going to share some of my favorite, frugal Fourth of July decorating tips.
Red, White and Blueberries
The week of Independence Day is fun in our house because, for us, it’s a weeklong celebration! Being married to a Canadian, we start by celebrating Canada Day on the first of July. I make dinner for the Canadians in our house and then my non-American husband takes over and serves us a big breakfast poolside on the Fourth of July. Our kids are dual citizens so they get to enjoy both celebrations. With all that being said , a great place to start decorating for Independence Day is on your plate!
Nothing says Americana more than a backyard BBQ. Grilled chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs are Fourth of July staples, but have some fun with your side dishes and desserts. At breakfast, serve an apple, watermelon and blueberry fruit salad. Later in the day, add some patriotic flair to the chip (or salad) bowl with the addition of blue and red tortilla strips. For everyone’s favorite course, break out the blue dye and add few drops to your cake mix for a memorable and delicious strawberry shortcake. Here are a few more fun things you can make - http://savingbydesign.com/15-frugal-fun-4th-july-ideas/
Soar Outdoors
There’s no better place to entertain on the Fourth than the great outdoors. Whether you’re in the backyard or are set up in the garage or driveway (for a great view of the fireworks, of course), there are a ton of fun, easy ways to decorate for the holiday. For a big impact, find a large square of cardboard, cut out star shapes and sift flour over them to create a constellation in the yard. Not only does this look awesome, but cleanup is as easy as turning on the sprinklers or a hose. If you’ve got some outdoor pillows on your patio furniture, use white ribbons and blue and red bandanas as covers. http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/last-minute-fourth-of-july-decorating-tricks?sub=3355525_3200497#.feGNr7oVJM
If you have more time to prepare, consider making a neat red, white and blue-themed wreath or centerpiece. Gather branches from the park or yard and dip the ends in acrylic paints. If you have the supplies on hand, you can add even more style with some glittery or metallic paint. If you go the centerpiece route, it’s a great excuse to use old flower vases. http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/entertaining/how-to-make-a-4th-of-july-wreath-pictures
The most fitting holiday decoration is the American flag, which comes in all sizes. You can pretty much put them anywhere in and outside your home. For some good deals, swing by the local dollar stores or look for deals online. Party supplier Oriental Trader Company has a lot of fun decorations and favors. Don’t forget to look for promo codes before you order for added savings! And of course, you can’t forget to pick up a few sparklers for the kids (of all ages).
Kat's Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, click http://twitter.com/savinmavens.
This story was originally published June 23, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Kat’s Money Corner: Prepping for the Fourth."