Fourth of July Table Setting

Let flags and fireworks set the stage for your celebration.

When the theme is red, white, and blue, there are many clever, inexpensive ways to decorate the table. Collections of flags, inexpensive buckets filled with backyard play sand and sparklers, and mix-and-match plates and napkins can be pulled together in a few minutes, and the results are spectacular.

1. Drape the table with a plain white tablecloth.

2. For the centerpiece, fill three small colored buckets with sand and arrange them on oval or oblong platter. Bags of natural sand can be purchased from Home Depot or Lowe's; colored sand is available at craft stores. Stand sparklers in the sand. (We found star-shaped sparklers at a party goods store.) If you light the sparklers, take care to keep them away from anything flammable.

3. Purchase a placemat-sized flag for each place setting at a flag shop or party goods store; remove the sticks before arranging them on top of the tablecloth.

4. Place white dinner plates on the flags, and top with red or blue salad plates. Use pottery or heavy-duty plastic plates.

5. Place blue or clear glasses in centers of plates. Bundle flatware and tiny flags with pieces of raffia, and stand up in glasses.

Materials Needed:

White tablecloth
3 small colored buckets
Blue or white oval or oblong platter
Sand
Placemat-size flags
White dinner plates
Red or blue salad plates
Blue or clear drinking glasses
Flatware
Small decorative flags
Raffia