4th of July: Your DIY Guide to a Budget-Friendly Bash

By: Front & Center Staff | 6/30/2023

Fourth of July gif

It’s hard not to feel festive on the Fourth of July. And with these affordable DIY ideas — from a rocket piñata to everything red, white, and blue — you can throw a budget-friendly party your friends won’t soon forget.

Fourth of July party table

Party Table

Let a central party table be the focal point for your get-together. Whether it’s set for dinner or designed as a buffet station, focusing your Independence Day decor on this one area will really wow your guests from the moment they walk in the door.

Fourth of July table setting

Place Settings

With some red, white, and blue plastic cutlery and paper plates, you can add a bold pop of color to any table. Mix and match the cutlery and plates in patriotic colors, add a pop of gold with a napkin, and use red or blue construction paper for placemats.

If you’re planning on setting up a buffet station rather than place settings, roll up the utensils in a napkin and tie with a gold ribbon so guests can grab a bundle as they prepare their plates.

Fourth of July layered drink

Layered Drinks

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to serve perfectly patriotic layered drinks using a wide range of beverage choices. All you need to consider when selecting the beverages is sugar content: You’ll want three beverages that vary in range, as that plays a part in the layering effect.

Here are some beverages to consider:

Red: Gatorade, Powerade, cranberry juice, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, etc.
White (or clear): Squirt, white SoBe drink, coconut-flavored drinks, etc.
Blue: Gatorade, Powerade, Kool-Aid, etc.

Whichever you choose, just make sure that the sugar content of all three drinks is staggered highest to lowest, with the clear or white drink being in between that of the red and blue.

To serve, fill each cup with ice. Pour in the drink with the highest sugar content first; fill it one-third of the way up. Next, add the white or clear layer (middle sugar content). Last, pour in the drink with the lowest sugar content.

Rocket piñata craft supplies — The supplies you need to make a rocket piñata. If you plan on actually hitting it open, you’ll also need monofilament and a bat.

Scissors punching hole in paper — Close one end of the packing tube (using the plastic disc closure). Add tape to properly secure it shut. Use the end of your scissor to make a small hole in the end of the plastic tube.

Top view of silver tinsel glued to paper towel roll — Insert the tinsel strands into the hole and add hot glue around the ends to set them in place.

Taping blue paper around a paper towel roll — Cut a piece of blue or red paper to the size of your packing tube and glue it around the cardboard.

Scissors with striped paper tube with hole in it — Now cut and glue stripes of white paper (or any other decor you’d like) to the body of the rocket. If you plan on hanging the piñata, cut a small hole in the body of the rocket. Cut a 5-foot strand of monofilament and string one end of it through the hole, then add hot glue to close the hole.

Candy coming out of striped paper tube — At the open end, fill the tube with candy.

Striped paper tube and cone with scissors — Lastly, cut a circular disc equal to the opening of your tube, as well as a cone-shaped piece from construction paper. First glue the circular disk to close the tube, add a thick layer of glue around the end of the tube, and then glue the cone onto the top.

Rocket Piñata

This piñata is your party’s masterpiece — and the kiddos will have a great time bashing it open later! To make it you’ll need a 1.5- to 2-foot section of a cardboard packing tube, heavy duty packing tape, scissors, hot glue gun (with glue), festive tinsel, construction paper, and candy to fill the piñata. If you plan on actually hitting it open, you’ll also need monofilament and a bat.

Click on the photo gallery above to get the complete step-by-step instructions.

Mini Rockets

Using toilet paper rolls, you can make mini versions of the piñata rockets for the party table. Follow along with the above — just don’t worry about prepping the mini rockets to hang them.

Fourth of July Playlist

Prepare the ultimate Fourth of July playlist with these oldie but goodie tunes that are sure to get your guests into the Independence Day mood.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Roland Shaw Orchestra
“Back in the USA” by Chuck Berry
“American Pie” by Don McLean
“4th of July, Asbury Park” by Bruce Springsteen
“We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel
“Independence Day” by Martina McBride
“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
“American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“Made in the USA” by Demi Lovato
“Late to the Party” by Kacey Musgraves
“American Oxygen” by Rihanna
“History” by Jay-Z
“Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen
“Firework” by Katy Perry
“America” by Neil Diamond
“American Boy” by Estelle feat. Kanye West
“Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
“American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz
“Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts

For more party decor, check out these ideas for festive pinwheels; a red, white, and blue balloon garland, and fun, painted garden pots.

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