Short on time and ideas for your Memorial Day gathering? Here are a couple of SERIOUSLY simple ideas that are easy to throw together on a whim and will add a patriotic touch to your tablescape!
:: Burlap & Lace Mason Jar Vase ::
For this project, I used a mason jar that I had sitting in the back of my pantry; however, you could definitely use an empty tin can or pretty much any type of vessel you have lying around your home – and it will look just as cute! Simply wrap your jar in a scrap of burlap, secure with a couple of dots of hot glue, and then wrap a piece of lace ribbon around the jar a couple of times and tie in a basic knot. Arrange a couple of loose floral stems {to keep it festive, I went with red gerbera daisies} in your jar, and…tada! You’ve got a rustic vase in less than 5 minutes!
:: Patriotic Berry Trifle ::
To make this, you’ll need a pre-made poundcake, whipped cream, and sliced and washed strawberries and blueberries. I would highly recommend making your own fresh whipped cream {and using a piping bag and icing tips} if you can, as it is much more stable than what you get from a can {melts more slowly, and is thicker and more creamy}. You will need to remove the pre-made poundcake from the foil liner and slice horizontally into 1/4-1/2″ sheets, out of which you will cut stars with a cookie cutter. Begin layering whipped cream, berries, and poundcake scraps in the center of your bowl, being careful to stay at least 1/2″ from the sides. Once you have put down a layer or two, slide your stars into the sides of the trifle bowl. Continue process until the bowl is full, and star cut-outs are visible through the glass sides of the bowl. I would recommend storing in your refrigerator until you are ready to serve to make sure that the whipped cream doesn’t melt.
:: Red, White, & Blueberries ::
I love this idea for it’s simplicity and the ease with which you can put it together. The prep work is so minimal and the finished product is seriously adorable. All you need to do is cut your watermelon into rounds, and then punch out stars with a cookie cutter. Once you have your melon stars cut, arrange on a platter of your choosing and adorn with blueberries. My only tip for this is to make sure that your melon slices are of equal thickness all the way around before cutting out stars.
:: Star Stamps ::
I always like to incorporate something “hands on” for the little one, and this is definitely something that will occupy your child and provide you with a runner and/or table covering. All you need for this is a piece of kraft paper, washable tempera paint, AND your trusty star cookie cutters. Basically, squirt red, white, and blue paint on a paper plate and let your kids have at it with their cookie cutter stamps! Once dry, if you plan on setting your food out buffet style, place this underneath and don’t worry about your guests spilling as they serve themselves. Or how cute would this be on the kids’ table?!
