A Patriotic Party: Decorations, Cake, and Sangria Recipe - Bree Pair (2024)

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• Jun 6, 2019

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The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I grew up with a very patriotic family, and around the age of 12 we started throwing annual 4th of July parties at our house. For a while, we lived on a public golf course, and every 4th of July the golf course would close around 4pm and would turn into a park. After 30min-1hr after the golf course closed there would be people all over with their lawn chairs, picnics, footballs and more, ready to celebrate until fireworks that night.

Yes, I am that person that puts flags out all over the yard, wears blue eyeshadow and bright red lips with Americana tattoos all over on the 4th of July. Give me all the red white and blue, put some glowsticks on me, and hand me a hot-dog!

So naturally, I had to create a patriotic party in the backyard to help get us in the mood for a party! My centerpiece is my sprinkle geode cake topped with red, white and gold rock candy. It may look over the top(it totally is),but I promise you it’s simple to do, and you can totally make one yourself! I give you all the instructions and recipes here. *pst* the recipe is a modified box cake mix!

So you know, I am on a budget, and I truly believe that anyone can throw a party together without breaking the bank.

Here are my tips for decorating a party on a budget:

• Use what you already have!
  • Repurpose everything. When it comes to a patriotic party pull out white dishes, clear glasses, and if you have anything red from Christmas bring it out! The only extra containers I purchased for this party were the adorable blue“dip-dip” & “hooray” ceramic bowls from Target. I got them because they weren’t overly themed, so I can use them for any party or get together down the road that allows for blue. This 6ct online has some Americana ones you can store away in a Rubbermaid box to pull out for Memorial Day or Veterans Day.
  • The tablecloth is one that we have used for the past couple of years and it’s held up wonderfully for just $22. Again, it’s not overly themed and you can use it for many occasions or a picnic at the park!
• Buy a plastic storage box
  • I am a firm believer in having a Rubbermaid box for party supplies. You want something that seals tightly so you don’t get any bugs and they won’t get damaged if you put them somewhere that could get wet.
  • This saves you money – don’t throw things away! If you have banners, balloons, table decor, anything at all at the end of the party just put them back into your storage box. This will save you money on your party for next year. I am not a hoarder by any means, living in a trailer for a year has made me a minimalist. However, if you know you’ll use those banners again at another party, save them. Once you hit a 1/2 dozen boxes it may be time for an intervention, so be choosy with what you keep.
• Split up the party
  • I know you’re wonder woman but you do not have to do it all! You will enjoy your event so much more if you take off the pressure from yourself. Divvy up the food, drinks, games, decor, and fireworks! You don’t have to provide it all. My tip is to play to other peoples strengths. If you want all homemade food, be sure to ask your friends that will be willing to cook. Otherwise, ask them to bring beer, games, fireworks, or chips!

For this party, I asked my mom to make a co*cktail! She brought a Sparkling Strawberry Sangria that you will definitely want to mix up for your party. Head to her blog here to get the recipe. It was light and refreshing, the perfect drink for a hot summer day. Plus, it’s white! So if someone spills it’s easy to clean up.

• If it’s a patriotic party, get lots of flags
  • Flags are super cheap to buy, here’s a set of 50 you can buy on Amazon for only $18! Go nuts! Put them in a paper cup and set them on your table like I did, and then put them all of the yard! In the landscaping, flowers, grass, plants, everywhere.

My #1 trick when it comes to parties:

• It doesn’t have to be expensive to make a big impact!
  • Flags for the 4th of July? Easy and placing them everywhere will make a big statement.
  • Balloon garlands are my other go-to. It will cost you $10 to throw a giant balloon garland together.
  • Create nexpensive floral arrangements, and put them everywhere. Your best bet for this is going to be baby’s breath, carnations, and greenery. Any extra big bulk of flowers that are white or your theme’s color. Break them all up and put them in glasses! I only own one vase right now, but as you see from the pictures, you don’t have to use vases! I personally use tall cylindric glasses I got at Marshall’s, $12 for 12! You could also easily put them in red solo cups for the 4th of July, a pitcher like you see in the pictures or any other container you have around the house. Get creative with what you already own.

So, get creative, and have fun with it! I know that you can throw an amazing party. Bake this delicious cake with my easy tutorial that will wow your guests – and use it as a centerpiece as I did! Throw in a fabulous co*cktail like this Sparkling Strawberry Sangria recipe my mom made, and your on a roll.

Will you be using any of these tips for your next party? What do you want a tutorial or recipe for? If you loved this post, I would love it if you shared it on Pinterest using the image below!

In my day-job, I teach amazing individuals how to make money with their blog and social media! I started blogging back in 2010 as a hobby, and it turned into my dream job—helping women make their own money on their own terms. Blogging became a job that I love—now, I’m back to use this online journal as a fun place todocument my life so I can look back 20 years from now and remember all the magical things.