We host a brunch every 4th of July for friends before we head out to the local parade and festivities. Not one to repeat a theme, I design a new table setting and menu every year. You all know I’m not much of a cook, but Tom is becoming a pretty good one. I don’t mind the meal planning or even the grocery shopping, if he does cooking!
We live on our back porch all summer long. I found this wrought iron, glass topped table and chairs at a flea market for only $125.00 a few years ago. A little spray paint and new fabric seats and the set is worth hundreds of dollars more. Instead of buying a table cloth to fit the table, I purchased several yards of flag fabric at Goodwill for $4.99.
I layered white enamel plates (I collect the blue bordered ones from Sweden) on red tin plates.
Tucking silverware into a folded napkin keeps everything you need handy. If you serve buffet style, put the utensil pockets in a basket for easy access.
These festive little party picks look like fireworks. I like them in a cup but you can use them to skewer chunks of fruit or vegetables.
Everyone got their own flag to show their patriotic spirit all day.
When a table cloth has lots of pattern and color you might want to keep all the accessories neutral. But I prefer to pile on textures and patterns for a stand-out table.
For the centerpiece, I brought out a Tom’s old toy fire truck and topped it with teddy bears. Just like a home-town parade.
My friend Bonnie Giesfeldt made most of these teddy bears. Aren’t they adorable?
How do you celebrate Independence Day?
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