Homemade Fourth Of July Decorations

Have fun with this year's Fourth of July decorations by making some homemade ones. You can even get your children in on the action by helping them make their own Fourth of July crafts for kids. Here are a couple of ideas to help you get started:

1. Patriotic Baskets and Buckets

Grab some cheap or old wooden baskets and buckets and dunk them in some white wash. Get some star stencils, and red, white and blue paint and start creating your own decorative baskets for the Fourth of July. You can also glue or stick on the ornamental stars for an easier job. Once the baskets or buckets have finished drying, fill them with red, white and blue fillers like:

• Beads
• Plastic jewels or gems
• Marbles
• Stones
• Painted shells
• Confetti (made from leftover clippings from the paper wreath)

2. Independence Day Flower Arrangement

A simple decorative piece for your home this Fourth of July is an Independence Day flower arrangement. For your reds, look for roses and carnations; lilacs and roses for your white flowers; and delphiniums or blue statice for your blue flowers. If you are having trouble with finding the perfect shade of blue, don't hesitate to grab a white flower and use a little dye to get the color you want. Arrange your flowers in a vase or jar and add flags or pinwheels to complete the Fourth of July look.

3. Patriotic Window Art

You always see festive pictures and designs painted on shop windows over the holidays. Why not use the same idea for your own home this Fourth of July? Head over to your nearest arts and crafts store and pick up some bottles red, white and blue bottles of window paint. You can also look for stencils to help you with the window designs of your choice like flags and stars. Here are a couple of things to remember:

• Make sure you use paint that can be easily removed from your windows. Look for window paint, or acrylic or tempera paint.
• Clean your windows with some window cleaner before you begin painting to avoid flakes or chipping.
• Remove the paint by spraying some water or window cleaner over the window. Let the paint soak for a few minutes, then start peeling it off with a straight edge. Once you've removed a good amount of the window paint, spray it down one more time and use a rag to remove the remaining paint.

4. Red, White and Blue Rice Centerpiece

Make your own Fourth of July centerpieces with an empty glass bowl or vase and some rice:

1. Pour scoops of white rice into a bowl or bucket filled with red food coloring.
2. Add a little water and stir the rice and food coloring mixture for about five minutes.
3. Once the rice has achieved the desired shade and color, drain the water and set the colored rice aside on a newspaper or dry surface.
4. Repeat the previous steps for your blue rice (you obviously don't need to color the white rice).
5. Dry the colored rice overnight.
6. Layer an empty glass jar, bowl or vase with the colored rice to complete your red, white and blue centerpiece.

5. Fourth of July Paper Wreath

Create your own holiday wreath for the Fourth of July. Don't worry, people won't think you've mixed up Independence Day with Christmas with this homemade decoration:

1. Get a piece of cardboard, scissors, glue or tape, and red, white and blue construction paper and ribbons.
2. Cut the cardboard in a circular shape, the size of however large you want the wreath to be.
3. Create red, white and blue loops by cutting the construction paper into strips and folding them into loops. Do not crease the folded loops.
4. Fasten the loops to the cardboard cutout with glue or tape. Create a pattern of your choosing with the red, white and blue loops.
5. Cut out a star or use a ribbon for the center of the wreath.
6. Attach your ribbons anywhere on the wreath for a finishing touch and hang it up wherever you'd like.

6. Fourth of July Accents

Instead of making a large decorative piece, why not fill your home with accents that fit your Fourth of July theme? This is perfect for someone who isn't very confident in his or her skill with arts and crafts. Here are some ideas you can use:

• Star stickers
• Red, white and blue picture frames
• American flag themed linens and chair covers
• Red, white and blue candles
• Patriotic tablecloth
• Red, white and blue bandanas
• Independence Day balloons
• Fourth of July planters
• Red, white and blue window treatments (example: red valance paired with blue curtains)

Whether you are trying to throw the perfect Fourth of July bash, displaying your patriotism to your friends and neighbors, or you just want the inside of your home to look a little more red, white and blue for Independence Day, these homemade decorations are a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July.