July 4th Decor and DIY Crafts: Ice Cubes, Fans, More

The easy key to making your Independence Day celebration memorable? Elevating your gathering with easy, handmade decor that captures Americana charm! Here, we rounded up our favorite easy July Fourth decor ideas and entertaining extras that are sure to spark smiles and keep your guests bursting with excitement until your event’s finale. Try crafting up one (or all!) before your gathering!

July 4th decor idea: Festive flag circlet

July Fourth Decor: American flag wreath made out of red, white and blue paper rosettes and wooden craft-store stars — JannHuizenga/Getty

A red, white and blue paper wreath beautifully celebrates the holiday and offers visitors a happy “hello!” at your door. To make your own, lay a 12″ flat foam wreath (available at craft stores) on a table. Section off the blue portion of the “flag” with a pen. Then hot-glue DIY blue paper rosettes to the wreath (see below for a paper rosette how-to video), one by one, until the section is covered. Repeat the process with red and white rosette “stripes,” as shown. Glue on 7 paper stars; hang wreath.

For a simple step-by-step paper rosette tutorial, check out this video from @abbikirstencollections on YouTube:

July 4th decor idea: Patriotic place settings

July Fourth Decor: Overhead view of patriotic summer table setting (rattan charger with red and white plate, red gingham napkin and gold fork on top) — Kristen Prahl/Getty

The secret to creating a celebratory tablescape for your July Fourth gathering that’s laid-back yet chic: combining red, white and blue tabletop elements with casual Americana charm. Here, a patio table is layered with a blue striped runner (positioned across the width of the table to encourage cross-table conversation), woven chargers, red gingham napkins and red and white dinner plates for an elevated picnic feel. It’s a perfectly inviting way to celebrate with loved ones!

July 4th decor idea: Star-spangled cutlery bundles

July Fourth Decor: Cutlery bundles wrapped with star napkin cuffs and displayed in a rectangular wicker basket on tabletop — HBB

Spread the spirit with bright, star-studded bands that can be made in minutes. To do: For each cuff, cut a length of 1 ½”-wide blue satin ribbon to fit around a rolled white napkin. Use hot glue to attach a small 3″ red-paper star to ribbon (as shown). Then glue a white button atop each star. Let dry, then tape ribbon ends together and slide around rolled napkins containing cutlery inside.

July 4th decor idea: Glowing flag lanterns

July Fourth Decor: American flag lanterns made from paper tubes and ribbon on outdoor string lights — HBB

A parade of flag-inspired lights offers sparkling July Fourth joy! To do: Slice a cardboard paper-towel tube into 2″ segments, then glue a strip of 2″-wide American flag-patterned ribbon around each. Next, trace the tube’s opening onto a piece of red paper, then score a ¼”-wide X into the center of the circle with a craft knife. Cut out the circle and glue atop the ribbon-trimmed segment. Pop a string light into the X and repeat for other lights.

July 4th decor idea: Floral ‘fireworks’

July Fourth Decor: Bouquet of red poppies, white daisies and blue bachelor's button styled in a white mug on a white wood tabletop — Olena Rudo/AdobeStock

Simple yet stunning, this easy-to-make bouquet bursts with festive colors. Plus, the blooms’ round centers and splayed petals mimic the look of fireworks! To do: Pick up a variety of seasonal red, white and blue flowers (like poppies, daisies or mums) from the supermarket. Next, fill a 6″-tall wide-neck vase or pitcher halfway with water. Cut blooms to 7″ to 10″ and insert stems one at a time, starting with larger blooms, creating a soft, rounded mound. Fill in gaps with smaller blooms, alternating colors as you go.

July 4th decor idea: Festive ice bucket

July Fourth Decor: Homemade red-white-and-blue popsicles in an upcycled kitchen pitcher displayed on an outdoor table — sara_winter/AdobeStock

A tired kitchen pitcher turns into a clever ice bucket, thanks to an easy wrap. To do: Chill a pitcher in the freezer until cold. Next, snip a band of striped or plaid red-and-white scrapbook paper (or ribbon) to fit around the pitcher; glue the ends to secure. Add ice cubes to the pitcher; insert bottles or ice pops. Set pitcher on a kitchen towel on table or buffet to finish.

July 4th decor idea: Wow-worthy windsocks

July Fourth Decor: Red, white and blue paper windsocks strung as garland on a ribbon stretched between two tree branches outside — HBB

Adding an extra touch of red, white and blue to your backyard is easy with this festive paper garland of windsocks! To make each windsock, cut red or blue paper into an 8”-long rectangle, fold it in half lengthwise and press the crease. Cut slits, about ½” apart, from the fold to about ½” from the edge. In the slit section of blue windsocks, paint every other strip white. When dry, add white fringe by gluing on an 8″-long rectangle of white paper across the bottom and cutting it into many strips. Glue each windsock’s short sides together, overlapping their edges about ½”. Cut 6″-long paper strips and glue them across the tops of windsocks for handles. Decorate each with craft-store foam stars and jewels, then hang from a ribbon to finish.

July 4th decor idea: A starry cookie decorating station

July Fourth Decor: Star-shaped sugar cookies with red, blue, and white icing and sprinkles — Coldcoffee/Getty

For a fun activity that will entertain kids and adults alike, set up a cookie-decorating station! Before your party, press rolled-out sugar cookie dough with a star-shaped cutter; bake stars, then let cool. Set plain cookies on a tray alongside piping bags filled with red and blue frosting, sprinkles and candies; let guests decorate cookies.

July 4th decor idea: Cute ice cubes

July Fourth Decor: Red, white and blue star-shaped ice cubes layered in clear drinking glasses on a tabletop in front of a blue star-patterned tablecloth — picalotta/Getty

Layers of red, white and blue star-shaped ice bring to mind a classic summer ice pop, and they dress up any drinking glass with festive flair! To do: Pour fresh-squeezed watermelon juice, a blue-hued sports drink and plain water separately into wells of a star-shaped silicone ice cube tray (available online or at party stores); freeze. Add cubes to clear drinking glasses in red, white and blue layers, then pour sparkling water or lemonade on top; serve.

July 4th decor idea: Pretty paper fan centerpiece

July Fourth Decor: July Fourth tablescape with centerpiece made by stacking DIY paper pinwheels in a sand-filled red pail — HBB

A focal point of paper-fan “fireworks” will surely impress guests — for less! To do: For each fan, you’ll need two rectangular sheets of red, white or blue patterned scrapbook paper. Accordion-fold both sheets, then staple each in the center. Trim ends on the diagonal. Stretch the ends to make two semicircles. Tape them together. Glue coffee stirrers or straws into the bottom folds, then stake them into a red pail filled with sand. Display pail in the center of your picnic or dining table. Optional: Set an extra paper fan atop each plate.