20 Awesome Ideas for a FUN Memorial Day

Since we are so close to Memorial Day, I wanted to post a few simple and easy patriotic decor ideas. I thought these ideas might come in handy for both Memorial Day and then again for 4th of July.

I don’t know about you, but I like to focus on friends, family and yummy food so any decor has to be easy, affordable and no fuss.

Here are some fun ideas I found:

I love this idea from All You magazine to use red bandannas as a table runner.  These are only $1.00 at the craft stores and then layer them over inexpensive fabric from the craft store and you have a lovely table.  I think this would look fantastic with a navy fabric.

Blue Glass Centerpiece from Better Homes and Gardens (this would also be pretty with blue mason jars)- this is so easy and so affordable because you just need a few flowers in red or white instead of bunches of expensive flowers.

Here is another idea from All You magazine that is very cute.   Inexpensive vases filled with gumballs and then a few flags.  Super cute on a front porch!  I actually think those gumballs in red, white and blue might be hard to track down but you can easily use colored rice instead!  This is so simple – get the complete instructions here.

4th of July Buckets from Better Homes and Gardens are such a fun way to hold drinks and look how cute that is with Popsicles inside!  Totally stealing that idea :).  You can find inexpensive buckets at Dollar Stores and if you don’t see blue- a can of spray paint would do the trick.

Flag Napkin Ring from Better Homes and Gardens– how simple is that?  Those flags are priced 3 for $1.00 at the Target Dollar Spot right now.

Patriotic Table Setting with Individual Pails from Southern Living— I love this idea since these little mini buckets can be found for $1 or so at craft stores or the Target Dollar Spot.  How fun to keep everything tucked inside for a backyard BBQ- drinks, napkins, utensils and you can even tuck in sparklers for 4th of July.

Patriotic Galvanized Buckets with Daisies from All You– this looks easy enough to do with a Sillouette or Cricut machine.  You can also use old fashioned paint or look for stickers in the craft stores to dress up plain buckets.  I like buying an actual plant that I can enjoy for a long time rather then bouquets of flowers that will die after a few days (in the heat of Sacramento they don’t last long).

Star Luminaries from Sunset Magazine – these are gorgeous all lit up at night with battery powered candles.

Nighttime Fourth of July Party from Rachael Ray Magazine– this is gorgeous with those amazing lights strung up.  Starting 5/18, target will have outdoor lights priced at Buy One Get One 50% off so a great time to buy!

Red, White and Blue Sand Centerpieces from Martha Stewart– these are another option to the gumballs above and I think some candles tucked inside or flags would look amazing.  Again you could easily do this with colored rice if sand is not readily available.

Lanterns trimmed with Patriotic Ribbon from Good Housekeeping – these are so gorgeous and so simple!  The lanterns are very cheap in party sections of Target and Walmart and craft stores.  Then grab some ribbon to tie around and voila!  The kids could even do this.

Ribbon Covered Vases from Good Housekeeping– how gorgeous is that?  I love this idea to just layer ribbon on a cheap vase and you can reuse over and over.  Much easier then painting.

Here is something similar I did last year.  I didn’t want a lot of fuss so I just cut some burlap and ribbon and tied around plain mason jars.  Easy!  You can see the instructions and how they look with candles here.  These were really pretty lined up with candles on the table at night.

Here is a Patriotic wreath I made last year-– this is crazy easy- you literally wrap yard around a circle.  Mindless activity that can be done while you are watching TV :).  I still love this wreath and it still looks great- I plan to bring it out in the next week or two.

If you are lucky enough to have a pretty porch, this idea from Better Homes and Gardens is a great one!  Just use fabric from the craft store and tie your own bunting using twine or even leftover yarn from making your wreath.

I am stealing this idea too because it is so cute!  Get an inexpensive bucket from the Dollar Store or use a clean paint can from the Hardware Store (I see these in tons of sizes at Home Depot and Lowe’s) and adhere scrapbook paper around the container.  Fill with popcorn for snacking.  (And you can make your own microwave popcorn with the directions here.  I make popcorn all the time at our house.)

And it doesn’t get an easier then this idea from All You– clear cups with utensils and napkins as a place card holder.  I love this idea for a picnic!

How about making a few simple hanging mason jars?  Fill these with candles or flowers and hang from your patio umbrella or from your porch.  So simple in clear jars with a little patriotic ribbon or the pretty blue mason jars.  

Here is something the kids can do to help out– these cute little lanterns are something you can tuck away and bring out year after year.  Martha Stewart has the directions here.

And speaking of the kids, I made this adorable little top for my daughter last year with Sharpies and a cheap Walmart shirt.  I loved this project- and more importantly my little girl loved that shirt.  (It did fade after washing but for a few minutes time and $3 investment totally worth it.)