Independence Day is coming up fast, which means an opportunity to pull out the red white and blue again! It’s my favorite time of year to get together with family and friends and celebrate the birth of this fantastic country.

Usually, our entire family (all 20+ of us!) spend the holiday at my mother and father-in-law’s home, swimming, stuffing ourselves with pie, burgers, playing corn hole and enjoying the day together. Even though we don’t spend the day at our home, it’s always fun for me to put together a table we can all enjoy before the big day, so you know I was excited to be invited to participate in  a Red White and Blue Tablescape Blog Hop, hosted by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate.

If you’re anything like me, you probably love the look of a beautiful, 4th of July Patriotic tablescape, but don’t want to spend a whole lot of money or time putting one together. I feel the same way and thought I’d share a few ideas with you that I use, such as shopping my own home, hitting the dollar store and throwing together a few easy DIYs, such as these adorable cutlery pouches with printable labels. If you like them, download the tags for free by clicking here.

How to Create a Beautiful {Easy and Cheap} Red White and Blue Tablescape

Decide on a Color Scheme

This is an easy one for a patriotic table in America – red white and blue – but in your corner of the world, it might be different. Here, I stuck with traditional colors and patterns but used muted tones and natural fabrics to tone everything down. Having too much of a good thing is possible! I left the table natural, which I often do, and went with an everyday burlap table runner, which kept my cheap inexpensive accents from looking too kitschy.

Shop both your home and the dollar store for items that can be reused and repurposed

Balloon weights and star garden stakes from the dollar store work perfectly together to create an indoor fireworks place card.

Pair everyday dinnerware with decorative salad plates or colorful napkins to fit your theme

If you follow me at all, you’ll know that I often use our basic white stoneware for tablescapes – I LOVE looking back at all the different ways I’ve been able to use them!

In this case, I decided to change up my chargers and gave gold, dollar tree chargers a quick Kate Spade-inspired makeover with spray paint and acrylic paint dots. The dots add another dimension to the all-white place setting.

The napkins are cotton tea towels found in the Target dollar aisle – don’t be afraid to mix and match and to use things different than intended.

Use food as decor

You’ll serve food at your party, so, why not use that food as decor – it’s inexpensive, practical and gorgeous!

A simple punch made of ginger ale and frozen berries served in a mason jar jug adds color and texture.

Cupcakes in red polka-dotted liners and rocket ice pops in shaved ice are perfect desserts and table accents!

Are you serving food that isn’t in your color scheme? Try serving your hot dogs, fries, and corn on the cob in red check wax paper to rectify that situation instantly!

Mix and match patterns for a fun, eclectic look

Stripes, dots, stars all go together to create a fun, eclectic look. To make this work, be sure your colors are cohesive.

In short: 

1. Decide on a color scheme
2. Shop both your home and the dollar store for items that can be reused and repurposed
3. Use everyday dinnerware, but add salad plates or colorful napkins to fit your theme
4. Use food as decor
5. Mix and match patterns for a fun, eclectic look

That’s it! I’d love to know your favorite tips for entertaining. Do you use disposable supplies (perfectly acceptable!) or do you throw a few things together and hope that it turns out (like I do!)

Don'[t foreget to download the  Red White and Blue Labels for free by clicking here! Have a great July 4th!.

I’m all about easy and inexpensive so here are a few more ideas for you!

Monday

Home is Where the Boat Is | Red Cottage Chronicles | Belle Bleu Interiors | A Casa di Bianca

Tuesday

Corner of Plaid & Paisley  | Everyday Living | Life and Linda | Knock it Off Kim

Wednesday

At Home with Jemma | The Painted Apron | Living With Thanksgiving | Our Crafty Mom 

Thursday

PMQ For Two | Debbee’s Buzz | Camelot Art Creations | Celebrate & Decorate

Friday

Around My Table | Blue Sky at Home  | My French Twist | Me and My Captain