Memorial Day & 4th of July: Patriotic Party Ideas to Celebrate in Style

The summer isn't short of celebrations to enjoy. Whether you're planning the perfect Memorial Day weekend or organizing a 4^th of July party for your family and friends, there's only one way to celebrate: with a good old-fashioned backyard BBQ.

In this guide, we'll give you our favorite patriotic party ideas so you can celebrate in style this summer. We'll cover everything you need to plan the perfect Memorial Day and Independence Day gathering, including:

Decoration ideas | Party food ideas | Ways to give back | Patriotic party favors

Decoration ideas

Of course, the go-to theme for any American party is classic red, white, and blue, and there are so many ways you can incorporate these shades into your Memorial Day or 4^th of July decorations. From flower arrangements to table settings, these patriotic décor ideas are perfect for Memorial Day, the 4^th of July, or any other American celebration you have planned.

Star spangled bunting

No Memorial Day BBQ or 4^th of July party would be complete without the stars and stripes. Hanging patriotic bunting is a great way to include the colors of the flag in your party décor and you can opt for traditional paper bunting or make your own pom-pom strings if you'd like to do something a little different.

Alternatively, you can hang colorful string lights in trees or make your own lanterns using mason jars, colored paper, and electric candles or string lights. This will look particularly effective once the sun sets and will provide the perfect ambiance to watch some sparkling fireworks. 

Patriotic flower arrangements

An artfully placed flower arrangement can instantly elevate any gathering. They're also great for adding a subtle pop of color to your table settings. For a Memorial Day or 4^th of July party, why not opt for a red, white, and blue bouquet, to incorporate the colors of the flag and add a touch of summer beauty all in one? Some flowers you can combine into your patriotic bouquet include:

Red: Poppy, tulip, carnation, rose, anemone, chrysanthemum, amaryllis, cardinal flower, cosmos

White: Myrtle, white alstroemeria, rose, white stock, elderflower, yarrow, lily, spider mums, baby's breath, daisy, jasmine

Blue: Iris, hydrangea, larkspur, periwinkle, grape hyacinth, cornflower, bluebell, lily of the Nile

Foliage: Ivy, eucalyptus, fern, ruscus, lemon leaf, aspidistra, salal

Star-shaped flowers such as asters, star jasmine, and lilies work particularly well for a patriotic bouquet, paying homage to the American flag in an understated way.

Once you've picked your favorite flowers, you can then arrange them in a vessel such as a tall vase, jug, large tumbler, or an old glass jar. When arranging your bouquet, start with the largest flowers first, then the second largest, and so on. Once all the flowers have been added, you can then fill in any gaps with greenery. If you like, you could also add small decorative American flags to your display for an extra patriotic touch. For more tips for arranging flowers, take a look at our guide to table centerpieces.

Red, white, and blue table settings

Whether you're setting the table for a celebratory dinner or preparing a BBQ buffet table, your tableware can also act as stylish and practical Memorial Day or 4^th of July decorations. Even if you'll mostly be using your current tableware for the event, a few blue and white ceramics dotted around the table can add a classic American touch to your patriotic table setting. For example, you can serve dips in some blue or white ramekins, serve up a freshly made cocktail or juice in a large jug, or invest in a stylish serving platter for your showstopping dishes.

Imperial Blue, Blue Haze, and Studio Blue will sit right at home at your 4^th of July or Memorial Day party. Our Porcelain Stars collection is also adorned with elegant gold stars, making it perfect for special occasions and celebrations.

You can add an extra American-themed touch to your cutlery by decorating them with patterned ribbons. Star-printed napkins and a tablecloth will add a final finishing touch to your patriotic décor.

Party food ideas

With your decorations organized, it's time to focus on refreshments. If you're looking for some patriotic food ideas to serve at your party, we've got you covered. Below are some of our favorite Memorial Day and 4^th of July food ideas that are guaranteed to get the celebrations started.

Classic BBQ

When it comes to a Memorial Day or 4^th of July party, there's no better way to celebrate than with a cookout. Fire up the grill and serve up a selection of burgers, hot dogs, and ribs complete with all your favorite toppings and condiments.

If you want to go the extra mile, why not give one of our delicious BBQ recipes a go? Take a look at our recipes for Brighter Days for mouthwatering dishes such as spiced chicken kebabs, salmon and zucchini kebabs, griddled eggplant and feta with rose harissa, and more.

Our prawn and chorizo skewers are also bound to go down a treat while large bowls of tasty side dishes — such as pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and various fresh salads — will add some variety.

To make sure you're serving up a selection that everyone will love, you could make your BBQ 'BYOP' (bring your own protein), where each guest can bring along something to grill. You can read our guide to hosting the perfect BBQ for even more cookout ideas.

Hot dog bar

If you want to elevate your cookout, why not set up a hot dog bar? Serve up a platter of hot dogs straight from the grill along with hot dog buns and a selection of toppings and condiments. Mustard, ketchup, onions, relish, and chili are traditional toppings, but for such a special occasion, you may want to mix things up a bit and give guests the opportunity to get creative at your Memorial Day or 4^th of July BBQ. Some hot dog topping ideas include:

Dessert table

Room for something sweet? Don't forget your Memorial Day and 4^th of July desserts! Berry pie, strawberry shortcake, and s'mores are all classics that are sure to satisfy a crowd. Our recipes for brighter days include a delicious s'mores recipe that would be perfect for a Memorial Day or 4^th of July party.

Smores dip

To take your patriotic desserts to the next level, try a s'mores dip. You can make it into a red, white, and blue s'mores dip by wetting your marshmallows in water and rolling them in red and blue sugar — you'll need five blue marshmallows, six red, and eight white marshmallows. Then, line an oven dish with your favorite chocolate bar and arrange the marshmallows into the shape of the flag. Bake at 450° for 8–10 minutes and serve with graham crackers.

Fruit pizza

Fruit pizzas are perfect if you're catering to a crowd, which makes them ideal Memorial Day or 4^th of July dessert options. Simply cover a round cookie crust with red and blue berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, along with sliced banana or whipped cream. Slice it up and enjoy!

Patriotic popcorn

Patriotic popcorn is another quick and easy dessert idea that's bound to please. Mix together some sweet popcorn, red and blue candy, and miniature marshmallows in a large serving bowl. You can substitute the candy for dried red and blue fruits for a healthier option.

Memorial Day & 4^th of July drinks

Your celebrations wouldn't be complete without a few drinks. We have a selection of summer drinks you can serve up at your 4^th of July or Memorial day party. Our rose, rhubarb, and juniper mocktail and summer cordial punch are fitting options that the whole family can enjoy, especially when served up in some red, white, or blue glassware, such as our Imperial Blue glasses. Adults might also enjoy our blackberry bellini served in a stylish champagne glass.

You can add an extra patriotic touch to your Memorial Day or 4^th of July drinks by adding ice cubes filled with frozen blue and red berries, or by adding the frozen berries straight into the glass.

Ways to give back

Memorial Day and Independence Day are the perfect dates to give back to your community and veterans. So, why not incorporate this into your party? There are a number of ways you can choose to give back to those who fight for our country, including:

• Shopping with veteran-owned businesses
• Have your kids write a letter to a veteran
• Send out care packages to troops, military families, and veterans using organisations such as Operation Gratitude
• Help out a veteran in your neighborhood by mowing their lawn, cooking them dinner, or washing their car — or invite them to your party
• Put together a gift hamper for a local veteran. Our guide to making a gift basket for any occasion should give you plenty of ideas. 

Patriotic party favors

Once your Memorial Day or 4^th of July party is over, you may want to give your guests a little something to take home with them. Some fun patriotic party favor ideas include:

• S'mores kits: Honour your backyard cookout with a DIY s'mores kit, complete with chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers.
• Red, white, and blue jars: A simple but effective party favor, layer red, white, and blue candies in small mason jars. You can also decorate the jar with a piece of ribbon for an extra special touch.
• Caramel apples: These are easy to make in one batch ahead of time. You can also add a few toppings such as nuts or red, white, and blue sprinkles.
• Cookies: If you've got a bit of extra time ahead of the event, you could bake and decorate your own patriotic sugar cookies to give out as favors. Baking is a great way to get the kids involved with the party prep, and you can ask them to decorate each cookie with red, white, and blue sprinkles.

No matter the occasion, whether it's a Memorial Day party or a 4^th of July BBQ, a patriotic celebration will help you throw the perfect get-together. These tips should help you plan every small detail, from your décor to your party food, so you can celebrate without a hitch. Be sure to take a look at our guides and how tos for even more entertaining tips, such as our Canada Day party ideas and more.

If you're searching for some new tableware to make an impression at your next gathering, you can shop our collection of plates, bowls, serveware, and glassware. All Denby stoneware is handmade in England and designed to be versatile, beautiful, and durable, making it the perfect option for every day as well as special occasions.