Seasons > American Independence Day > Home Decorations > Outdoor Fourth of July Decorations
The Fourth of July is all about the flag--all the other decorations are spin-offs from the flag’s colors and shapes. If you have a big wall, hang a really big flag against the wall rather than from a pole, for a bold focal point. Then add a few more accents, and the job will be done in no time. A few balloons make it feel like a party. (I am all about doing just enough to make the day feel special, but not going so overboard that it breaks the bank, or takes a month to decorate, and then un-decorate, for one day of celebration.)
Usually you need big decorations for outdoors, because these decorations would be too small to be seen from cars driving past. However, they are just right if people will be close, like walking up to the front door, or sitting on the porch for a cook-out or picnic. Just be sure to combine small decorations with other things, such as combining it with a potted plant, or hanging them in smaller spaces, such as a narrow section of wall that is next to a door or window. You could also hang decorations like the cut-outs on the front door just like you would hang a wreath. As an example of what not to do, you can imagine how ridiculous the star and USA cut-outs would look if they were hung in place of the flag wall in the photo above--all by themselves on the large wall. Each year stores sell new decorations, so you are not likely to find these exact items, but there will be plenty of new designs to choose from. So check out what is available this year. Go to a dollar store, or the dollar section of Target, or Walmart to see what kind of fourth of July decorations they have. Then think about where you could use them to decorate. If the decorations are not waterproof, be sure to hang them in a sheltered place that is protected by eaves or a porch roof.
If your celebration is going to continue after dark, here is a way to make patriotic lanterns. Fill empty cans with water, and put them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then put a paper pattern (such as a star) on the can, and use a hammer and nails to punch holes along the outline. If the pattern slides around, wet is slightly so it is just damp, and it should stick to the can quite well. You sons might really enjoy hammering, even if they don’t want to have anything to do with putting up the rest of the decorations.
Try to look at your home from different angles and distances to see how other people see it, and try to figure out which spaces can be easily decorated. For example, if you have a long porch railing, it would look really cool to have bunting decorating the whole porch, or little flags fastened to each post. Before you go shopping, though, think about whether you really want to spend that much money, and spend half the day putting them up, and another half day to take them down?
Here are 3 different ways to make a spiral windsock type decoration like the one in the photo on the left.
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1.Cut 2 stars from Fourth of July paper plates. Cut another decorative paper plate into a spiral. Staple, glue, or tie some ribbons to one end of the spiral. Fasten the star to the other end of the spiral : punch a hole in the end of the spiral, push a string through it, lay both ends of the string between the the 2 stars and glue the stars back to back, and allow extra string at the top to tie wherever it will hang. Optional: Fasten fishing lure findings to the top and bottom of the star so the star and spiral can spin freely in the wind without tangling the string they hang from. (I’m not sure what they are called, but they allow the fish to spin without tangling the fishing line)
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2.For a rainproof alternative, make it the same way, but cut out the star and spiral out of EVA foam sheets instead of paper plates.
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3. To make a more durable one, cut the shapes out of nylon and sew the two sides of the star together, but leave a gap fill with batting before finishing sewing it up. Hem the spiral, or cover the edges with bias tape.
The cans are pretty cold, so hot pads help, and you may find that bracing the can between your feet is the easiest way to keep it from rolling around while you hammer the design into the can. Make one, or make enough to put on the top of each post on the porch railing, or to line the sidewalk. If you are going to be around the lanterns all the time, you can use real candles, but if you are going to be in and out, it may be safer to use those battery operated tea lights.
Seasons > American Independence Day > Home Decorations > Outdoor Fourth of July Decorations